Both ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D are quality management system standards, and both appear on supplier websites. But they are not equivalent. If you buy parts for aerospace, defence or any high-reliability application, the difference matters.
ISO 9001:2015: the foundation
ISO 9001 is the world's most widely used quality management standard, applicable to any industry. For a machine shop it requires, among other things:
- Documented processes for quoting, order review, production and inspection
- Calibrated measuring equipment
- Control of non-conforming product and corrective action
- Supplier evaluation
- Risk-based thinking and continual improvement
- Regular internal audits and management review
AS9100D: ISO 9001 plus aerospace requirements
AS9100D includes the full text of ISO 9001:2015 and adds requirements specific to aviation, space and defence. Key additions include:
| AS9100D addition | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Product safety | Processes to identify and control safety-critical characteristics |
| Counterfeit part prevention | Controls to stop counterfeit or suspect material entering the product |
| Configuration management | Strict control of drawing revisions and changes |
| Operational risk management | Identifying and mitigating risks to delivery and conformity |
| Special requirements and critical items | Extra controls on key characteristics |
| First article inspection | Verification of new or changed parts, typically to AS9102 |
| Foreign object damage (FOD) prevention | Keeping debris out of products and assemblies |
| On-time delivery performance | Measuring and improving delivery, not just quality |
| Human factors and ethics | Awareness of how people contribute to conformity and safety |
Why it matters even outside aerospace
Many buyers in medical, defence, energy and high-end industrial sectors prefer AS9100-certified suppliers even when it isn't mandatory. The disciplines it enforces, such as revision control, traceability, first-article verification and delivery tracking, reduce risk for any critical component.
How to verify a certificate
- Ask for a copy of the current certificate and check the expiry date.
- Check the scope: it should cover machining of the type of parts you are buying.
- Check the certification body is accredited.
- For AS9100, suppliers are listed in the IAQG OASIS database.
What to expect from an AS9100D supplier
When you work with an AS9100D-certified machine shop, you should expect controlled drawing revisions, material traceability to heat number, documented first article inspection, reliable non-conformance reporting and measured on-time delivery. If a supplier claims AS9100 but can't show these, ask questions.
Aeroedge International is certified to both ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D, supplying precision CNC machined parts to aerospace, defence, medical, locomotive and industrial customers. Learn about our company or request a quote.
