With the new revisions in effect for AS9101 and AS9104 by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), the world of aerospace quality has changed. For organizations carrying AS9100 certifications, the updates directly affected how audits are performed, scored, and interpreted by the registrar.
Understanding the changes retrospectively can help predict future changes.
Why AS9101 and AS9104 Matter
Let’s start with a brief review.
AS9101 provides the framework for how auditors should record evidence, issue findings, and assign scores for nonconformances. AS9104 represents the other side of the coin, governing how certification bodies should outline procedures for audit durations, auditor assignments, and certification decisions.
Both standards are critical in determining the practical experience within every audit for AS9100. With revisions now released, aerospace suppliers should expect audits to become increasingly structured as a higher focus is put on raw data and measurable process performance.
On the tail end of draft discussions, there was a strong emphasis on linking nonconformances to objective evidence alongside actively evaluating metrics tied directly to corrective actions and the efficiency they may have wrought. Consistency across audits has now taken center stage for certification bodies, requiring that results reflect system maturity rather than subjective interpretation.
The bottom line: measurable data has become the standard spoken language among aerospace professionals and equipment.
Implications for AS9100 Audits
Relying on past audit patterns, templates, and rapport will no longer be enough. Auditors will now be focused on traceable evidence of improvements within processes. Companies treating compliance as a paperwork exercise will undoubtedly face a more challenging audit experience.
The updates and revisions also sought to close the gap between audit results and operational performance. Previously, passing an audit wasn’t a guarantee that processes were fully reliable and their risks were mitigated. Now, the AS9101 and AS9104 standards examine certification as an indication of actual system performance and effective risk management practices.
Turning Compliance into Opportunity
When revisions raise the bar and present a potential hurdle for QMS professionals, they also present a rare opportunity. A proactive approach to incoming change demonstrated operational excellence and a commitment to QMS culture. Regulators, customers, and suppliers were all sure to take notice when deciding where to take their business.
Companies that embrace changes early will likely benefit from smoother future transitions, including the incoming shift from AS9100 to IA9100.
Put bluntly, the best companies and QMS professionals frame compliance as a competitive advantage instead of a burden.
Preparing Your Organization for IA9100
Preparation for IA9100 begins with an understanding of the revisions being made, how audit evidence will be evaluated, and how scoring may evolve. Internal auditors and process owners should seek to receive training on new expectations. Additionally, a complete diagnosis of corrective action processes would always help.
Maintaining open communication with a certification body is essential to success. Explicitly ask how they’re preparing for the release of the updated standards and what adjustments to expect in your next audit. Engaging early opens the door to realistic timelines, which can be more suffocating than a simple timeline can reveal.
How APEX QA Can Help
APEX QA thrives on helping businesses achieve their goals during any transition period. Our certified auditor rolodex stretches across the entire country, nearly guaranteeing an auditor with the correct certifications in a spot that can save you travel costs.
On top of that, we offer thorough lead auditor training with sections dedicated to future-proofing your QMS. For any professional looking to shore up their knowledge with the best training possible, look no further than our convenient, live-online training.
Closing Thoughts
As always, audits represent more than a regulatory requirement; they’re an exhibition of the reliability and maturity of any given quality management system. AS9101 and AS9104 have aimed to ensure that certification accurately reflects operational excellence.
Quality’s about more than just passing audits. It is about anticipating change, strengthening systems, and ensuring the integrity of the products and services your organization delivers.
Hard work now preserves your certifications later.
