AS9100 TO SERVE MORE THAN JUST THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY IN THE FUTURE (DEMO)
According to a July 7, 2013 article in the El Paso Times, the AS9100 standard will be serving more than just the aerospace industry in the near future. The United States Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce is requiring interested companies to certify for AS9100 or to complete a National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) audit. Robert Queen of the U.S. Commercial Service explains:
One of the primary Advertisement goals for the U.S. Commercial Service is to create markets and find market opportunities for American exporters. Mexico is the largest foreign market for products from Texas and New Mexico. Mexican manufacturers are now producing more sophisticated, valuable products that require advanced manufacturing techniques and higher quality certifications. In order to meet these demands, we are working closer with Mexican manufacturers in the state of Chihuahua to identify American suppliers in advance who can supply materials for future projects.
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Queen adds that the U.S. Commercial Service is also developing a list of companies that are certified and pre-qualified to meet demands of several industries, especially those within proximity of El Paso, TX and the Mexican border. Companies that are AS9100 certified can serve various sectors that include the aviation, automotive, and medical industries.
First released in October 1999 by the Society of Automotive Engineers International, AS9100 supplements ISO 9001 because it addresses the additional needs of the aerospace industry. Essentially, the standard separates the “whats” from the “how-tos” for a quality management system based on ISO 9001. Since then, it is also adopted as EN9100 in Europe and as JIS Q 9100 in Japan.
When asked for AS9100 certification costs for small and medium suppliers, Queen explains that the cost varies based on the complexity and size of the company as well as their having (if any) some elements of a quality management system such as ISO 9000. There are outside consulting costs and internal costs to factor in, as well. Moreover, a NADCAP audit costs $5,000 to $7,000 and takes two to five days to complete.
Essentially, this presents an opportunity for other companies to seek an accredited AS9100 registrar for similar opportunities in other areas of the country. For those in California, a certified registrar such as International Standards Authority (ISA) can help.
(Info from Michael Hissam: Certified suppliers aid border business, El Paso Times, Published July 7, 2013)
Queen adds that the U.S. Commercial Service is also developing a list of companies that are certified and pre-qualified to meet demands of several industries, especially those within proximity of El Paso, TX and the Mexican border. Companies that are AS9100 certified can serve various sectors that include the aviation, automotive, and medical industries.
First released in October 1999 by the Society of Automotive Engineers International, AS9100 supplements ISO 9001 because it addresses the additional needs of the aerospace industry. Essentially, the standard separates the “whats” from the “how-tos” for a quality management system based on ISO 9001. Since then, it is also adopted as EN9100 in Europe and as JIS Q 9100 in Japan.
When asked for AS9100 certification costs for small and medium suppliers, Queen explains that the cost varies based on the complexity and size of the company as well as their having (if any) some elements of a quality management system such as ISO 9000. There are outside consulting costs and internal costs to factor in, as well. Moreover, a NADCAP audit costs $5,000 to $7,000 and takes two to five days to complete.
Essentially, this presents an opportunity for other companies to seek an accredited AS9100 registrar for similar opportunities in other areas of the country. For those in California, a certified registrar such as International Standards Authority (ISA) can help.
(Info from Michael Hissam: Certified suppliers aid border business, El Paso Times, Published July 7, 2013)