What’s Going On with AS9100?
If you’ve been scrambling to learn more about the next update to AS9100 and what it might do to your team, you’re not alone.
The governing body behind AS9100, the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) is scheduled to release two separate versions of the IA9100 standard within the next few years. While it can sound overwhelming, we promise the reality is much more manageable than you think.
This blog is here to clear the air and answer some basic questions about what’s changing, when it’s changing, and what you’ll potentially need to do when it changes.
First, What Is IA9100? Why Are There “Versions”?
Let’s take it from the top.
To start, IA9100 is the centralized international aerospace standard. Its umbrella covers ISO 9001 and requirements specific to manufacturing within the aviation, space, and defense industries. Oftentimes, interchangeably referred to with other national quality standards such as AS9100, EN9100, or JISQ9100.
In quality, the passage of time brings with it new, updated standards to ensure quality keeps up with evolving technology.
In this spirit of change and evolution, the middle of 2024 brought with it the announcement of two update tracks by the IAQG.
- Version 1: a small-scope revision to be expected soon (as of mid-2025).
- Version 2: a comprehensive update closely dependent on ISO 9001’s upcoming 2026 revision.
This staggered rollout is a new approach to making changes in the standard. The goal of the endeavor is to make updates more responsive and incremental to avoid overhauling everything at once, potentially overwhelming quality professionals.
Version 1: Small and Surgical
With an expected release of late 2025, the first version is nearing the finish line of public release. As of July 2025, it’s in the “comment disposition” phase, which is just a fancy term for feedback before final publication.
Expected release: end of October 2025, in coordination with updates to the following standards: IA9104-1, IA9104-2, and IA9104-3 (which dictate how certification bodies operate).
What’s Changing in Version 1?
This update focuses mainly on controls related to external providers, including how organizations manage sub-tier suppliers.
In plain terms, it’s about tightening up expectations for how aerospace organizations oversee their supply chains.
Less of a full rewrite, more of a system performance patch. Think of this update as an appetizer to the more comprehensive update down the road.
For companies already certified, it’s likely this version won’t require any significant rework. That being said, it’s always worth reviewing your supplier control processes to ensure they’re in alignment with any and all clarified language and expectations.
Version 2: The Big Revision In 2026
Version 2 is the customary full-scale revision that rolls out roughly every five years. It’s tied directly to the upcoming revision of ISO 9001, which is expected in Fall 2026.
This version incorporates the changes to the ISO9001 standards while building on them to reflect aerospace-specific requirements. The IAQG says this version will put more focus on making sure certification actually reflects the quality of what suppliers deliver.
In the past, some companies passed audits and kept their certifications, even when they were still putting out less-than-stellar parts and inconsistent services. This update aims to close that gap, combating the process of certification being regarded as just a stamp of approval on paper.
What’s Changing in Version 2?
More details on what these changes will look like will become clearer once ISO 9001:2026 itself is finalized, but it’s safe to assume:
- More risk-informed approaches
- Greater digitalization awareness
- Stronger ties to sustainability or systems thinking
Again, keep in mind, this is mostly speculative. While there’s no way to know for sure what you will and will not be prepared for, the most you can do is keep your ear to the pavement while investing in constant consultation and training to keep your QMS in tip-top shape.
That being said, this is the change that training providers, auditors, and quality leads will want to start preparing for over the next 12–18 months.
For Instructors and Lead Auditors: Do You Need to Retake Training?
One common question we’ve seen is if current AS9100 Lead Auditor instructors will need to retake their certification training once the new versions are published.
According to a trusted training partner, here’s what we know:
“The initial publications of the IA standards will not have much in terms of change… If your instructor has already completed a 9100 Lead Auditor course, they likely won’t need to take the 5-day class again.”
Put bluntly, there won’t be a hard reset. As long as instructors are diligently updated on the changes while remaining in a condition competent enough to teach the new material, there won’t be a need for them to take an entirely new course.
Training providers should make sure instructors understand the new content thoroughly, but again, this is more of an update to your toolkit, not a full rebuild.
What You Can Do Now
If you’re a professional in aerospace quality, or you’re trying to stay ahead, here’s what makes the most sense in the short term:
- Stay duly informed. The IAQG hasn’t made much noise yet, but more will be shared during fall industry meetings.
- Review your supplier management systems and documents. Be ready when Version 1 comes out.
- Touch base with training providers. Keep making sure instructors or auditors are aware of upcoming updates and are prepared to adapt.
- Keep an eye out for ISO 9001 news. The 2026 version will be the mold for everything else that follows, including IA9100 Version 2.
Final Thoughts
The aerospace quality world won’t be changing overnight, but like all things, it is evolving.
Version 1 will be a low-impact, high-focus update for specific processes, while Version 2 is shaping up to be a more comprehensive, strategic, structural revision.
If you’re certified to AS9100 or planning to train others, now is the right time to get focused, not overwhelmed. APEX QA will continue to track updates and share simple, digestible summaries as more information hits the press.
Need help preparing your team for transitions ahead? Let’s talk training, auditing, and strategy- before the deadlines hit.
