ISO Certification for Aerospace Suppliers: AS9100 Readiness and ISO 9001, 27001, and 14001 Audits
ISO certification for aerospace suppliers usually means AS9100, the quality standard major aircraft and engine makers ask for. Accredify Global certifies the ISO systems underneath it, including ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. We also run AS9100 gap assessments, so you know exactly what to fix before your AS9100 audit. You get a tailored proposal after a free scoping review.
What ISO Certification for Aerospace Covers
ISO certification for aerospace is an independent audit of how you design, make, maintain, or supply parts for aircraft, spacecraft, and defense systems. Most aerospace buyers ask for AS9100, which contains all of ISO 9001 plus aerospace requirements. Only certification bodies recognized under the IAQG scheme can issue AS9100 certificates.
AS9100 adds what matters most in aviation: product safety, configuration control, key characteristics, first article inspection, and counterfeit parts prevention. Sub-tier suppliers often start with ISO 9001 certification. They then add the aerospace layer when a customer's supplier terms require it.
Accredify Global is an accredited certification body. We certify ISO management systems for aerospace suppliers and assess your readiness for AS9100. That way, you walk into your AS9100 audit knowing where you stand.
Aerospace Quality Standards in 2026: AS9100D, IA9100, and ISO 9001:2026
AS9100D is the current standard. It was published in 2016 and remains the version aerospace suppliers are certified to today.
IA9100 is on its way. The International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) plans to publish the next revision in late 2026, renamed IA9100 and aligned with ISO 9001:2026. A transition period of about three years is expected. Signalled changes include quality culture, human factors, product safety, cybersecurity, and tighter sub-tier supplier control.
ISO 9001:2026 was published in September 2026. ISO 9001:2015 certificates stay valid during the transition. Suppliers who certify to ISO 9001 now can plan both moves together.
Sources: IAQG · IA9100 transition update (APEX) · IA9100 revision updates (Axeon)
Which Aerospace Companies Need ISO Certification?
Anyone in the aerospace supply chain whose customers check certificates before placing orders.
Precision machining, sheet metal, castings, and assemblies. AS9100 is the usual requirement.
Maintenance, repair, and overhaul work, where AS9110 applies.
Parts and materials suppliers, where AS9120 applies.
Electronic assemblies, harnesses, and components, with counterfeit risk to manage.
Bonding, heat treating, and coatings, often alongside Nadcap.
Contractors who also face CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 controls.
AS9100 vs ISO 9001: What Aerospace Adds
AS9100 keeps every ISO 9001 requirement. These are the main additions an aerospace auditor will test.
| Topic | ISO 9001 | AS9100 adds |
|---|---|---|
| Product safety | Not addressed directly | Processes to manage product safety through the product life cycle |
| Configuration management | General control of changes | Formal configuration control of product definition and changes |
| Key characteristics | Not required | Identification and control of characteristics that affect fit, form, function, or safety |
| First article inspection | Not required | Verification of the first production item, usually to AS9102 |
| Counterfeit parts | Not addressed | Prevention, detection, and reporting of counterfeit or suspect parts |
| Foreign object debris | Not addressed | Prevention, detection, and removal of foreign objects |
| Operational risk | Risk-based thinking | Planned operational risk management for products and processes |
| Supplier control | External provider control | Flow-down of customer requirements to sub-tier suppliers |
| Performance | Monitoring of customer satisfaction | On-time delivery and product conformity measured and acted on |
ISO Certification for Aerospace: Standards and What We Provide
ISO certification for aerospace starts with quality. Add the others as customers and contracts require.
| Standard | What it covers | When aerospace suppliers need it | What Accredify Global provides |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS9100 / EN 9100 | Aerospace quality management | Most aircraft, engine, and tier 1 supplier terms | Gap assessment (certificate from an IAQG-recognized body) |
| AS9110 / AS9120 | MRO and distributor quality | Repair stations and parts distributors | Gap assessment |
| ISO 9001 | Quality management | Sub-tier suppliers and the first step to AS9100 | Certification |
| ISO 27001 | Information security | Protecting drawings, export-controlled data, and customer IP | Certification |
| ISO 14001 | Environmental management | Chemicals, coatings, and customer sustainability targets | Certification |
| ISO 45001 | Occupational health and safety | Machining, composites, and hazardous processes | Certification |
| ISO 22301 | Business continuity | Sole-source parts and supply assurance clauses | Certification |
| CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 | Protection of defense information | U.S. defense contracts | Readiness (we are not a C3PAO) |
Nadcap accreditation for special processes is run by the Performance Review Institute, separately from management system certification.
What an AS9100 Gap Assessment Checks on the Shop Floor
We follow real orders from contract review to delivery and compare what we see with AS9100 and your records.
Areas we test
- Contract review and flow-down of customer requirements
- Configuration control and drawing revision handling
- First article inspection records and key characteristics
- Counterfeit parts controls and approved sources
- Foreign object debris prevention in work areas
- Tooling, calibration, and inspection equipment
- Supplier monitoring, including sub-tier suppliers
Common gaps we find
- Customer quality clauses not flowed down to suppliers
- Key characteristics marked on drawings but not controlled
- First article inspection skipped after design changes
- Product safety covered only in a policy statement
- On-time delivery measured, but nothing done when it drops
How ISO Certification for Aerospace Works, Step by Step
A common path: certify ISO 9001 with us, then close the AS9100 gaps before your aerospace audit. Our ISO certification process guide and ISO 9001 certification checklist have more detail.
Facing a customer deadline for AS9100? Tell us in the scoping review and we will plan the gap assessment around it.
Book a free scoping reviewWhat Drives the Cost of ISO Certification for Aerospace
There is no list price. The cost follows the audit man-days your scope needs. A free scoping review gives you a tailored proposal.
What sets the audit time
- People: shop-floor, inspection, and office headcount
- Sites: plants, inspection labs, and outside warehouses
- Processes: design, manufacture, repair, or distribution
- Risk: flight-safety parts and special processes
- Standards: ISO 9001 alone, or with 27001, 14001, and 45001
Ways to keep it efficient
- Build the ISO 9001 system with AS9100 in mind from the start
- Combine ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 in one integrated audit
- Run internal audits against AS9100 before the gap assessment
- Keep first article and calibration records in one system
- Close customer corrective actions before the audit
How to Choose an AS9100 Certification Body
The checks worth doing before you sign, for AS9100 and for the ISO standards around it.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| IAQG recognition for AS9100 | Only recognized bodies can issue AS9100 certificates that appear in OASIS. |
| Aerospace Auditor qualifications | AS9100 audits must be led by qualified Aerospace Auditors. |
| Accreditation for ISO standards | ISO certificates should come from a body accredited under the IAF MLA. You can verify ours in the UAF directory. |
| Impartiality | Your certification body should not also write your quality system. |
| Experience with your processes | Machining, composites, MRO, and distribution each need different audit focus. |
| Pricing | Ask for audit man-days in writing. Ours come in a tailored proposal after a free scoping review. |
FAQ: ISO Certification for Aerospace Suppliers
Straight answers on AS9100, ISO 9001, IA9100, OASIS, cost, and timeline.
What is AS9100 certification?
AS9100 is the quality management standard for aviation, space and defense organizations. It contains all of ISO 9001 plus aerospace requirements, such as product safety, configuration management and counterfeit parts prevention. The current version is AS9100D.
What is the difference between AS9100 and ISO 9001?
AS9100 includes every ISO 9001 requirement and adds aerospace requirements. These include product safety, configuration management, key characteristics, first article inspection, counterfeit parts prevention, and foreign object debris control.
Who can issue AS9100 certification?
Only certification bodies recognized under the IAQG scheme, with auditors qualified as Aerospace Auditors. Certificates are listed in the IAQG OASIS database. Accredify Global provides AS9100 gap assessments and certifies ISO management systems such as ISO 9001.
Do aerospace suppliers need AS9100 or is ISO 9001 enough?
It depends on your customers. Major aircraft and engine makers, and many tier 1 suppliers, require AS9100 in their supplier terms. Smaller sub-tier suppliers sometimes start with ISO 9001 and move to AS9100 when a customer requires it.
What is IA9100?
IA9100 is the planned new name for the next revision of the 9100 standard. The IAQG plans to publish it in late 2026, aligned with ISO 9001:2026, and a transition period of about three years is expected. AS9100D stays current until then.
Is ISO 9001 certification a good first step toward AS9100?
Yes. AS9100 is built on ISO 9001, so a working, certified ISO 9001 system covers much of the foundation. You then add the aerospace requirements before your AS9100 audit.
What are AS9110 and AS9120?
AS9110 is the 9100-series standard for aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations. AS9120 is the version for distributors and stockists of aerospace parts. Both build on ISO 9001 like AS9100.
What is the OASIS database?
OASIS is the IAQG's Online Aerospace Supplier Information System. It lists organizations certified to the 9100-series standards and the certification bodies that certified them. Aerospace buyers use it to check supplier certificates.
What does an AS9100 gap assessment include?
It compares your current quality system with each AS9100 requirement and lists the gaps by risk. It covers documents, records and shop-floor practice. You get a report you can act on before your certification audit.
Can Accredify Global help us with both ISO 9001 certification and AS9100?
Yes, with separation. We can certify your ISO 9001 system and provide an AS9100 gap assessment. To stay impartial we do not design or write your quality system, and the AS9100 certificate itself comes from an IAQG-recognized body.
What other certifications do aerospace suppliers need?
It depends on your work. Defense suppliers may need CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 controls. Special processes such as heat treating often need Nadcap accreditation. Many suppliers also hold ISO 14001, ISO 45001 or ISO 27001.
How long does ISO 9001 certification take for an aerospace supplier?
Most suppliers with documented processes certify to ISO 9001 in 6 to 12 weeks from Stage 1. Adding AS9100 requirements usually takes longer, depending on the gaps.
How much does ISO certification cost for aerospace suppliers?
The cost follows the audit man-days your scope needs. Headcount, sites, processes and the standards involved all set the man-days. A free scoping review gives you a tailored proposal.
How long is an ISO certificate valid?
ISO certificates run on a three-year cycle, with surveillance audits each year and a recertification audit before expiry. AS9100 certificates follow a similar three-year cycle under the IAQG scheme.
Know Where You Stand Before Your AS9100 Audit
Tell us about your parts, customers, and deadlines. We'll scope your ISO certification for aerospace, plan an AS9100 gap assessment, and send a tailored proposal.
Book your free scoping review →Last reviewed by the Accredify Global certification team.