In the highly demanding and safety-critical aerospace
industry, maintaining the highest levels of quality is non-negotiable. To
achieve this, suppliers play a crucial role in providing components and
materials that meet strict aviation, space, and defense requirements. AS9120B
is a standard specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by
aerospace distributors. In this blog, we will delve into the key aspects of
AS9120B, its significance, and the benefits it brings to the industry.
What is AS9120B?
AS9120B is an Aerospace Industry Quality Management System (QMS) standard
developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) to cater to
distributors in the aerospace industry. It is a revised version of AS9120A and
aligns with ISO 9001:2015, which is the foundation for all industry specific
QMS standards.
Objectives of AS9120B
The primary objectives of AS9120B are as follows:
A. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: AS9120B emphasizes
customer focus and ensures that distributors consistently meet customer
requirements and deliver high-quality products.
B. Risk Management: The standard requires
organizations to identify and mitigate risks that may impact product quality
and safety, thereby reducing potential liabilities.
C. Process Efficiency: AS9120B emphasizes the
adoption of efficient processes to ensure streamlined operations and timely
delivery of products.
D. Continual Improvement: Continuous improvement is
at the core of AS9120B, pushing distributors to constantly strive for better
quality and performance.
Key Changes in AS9120B
AS9120B brought about significant changes to its
predecessor, AS9120A. Some of the key changes include:
A. Context of the Organization: The standard requires
a deeper understanding of the external and internal issues that can affect the
distributor's ability to provide conforming products.
B. Risk-based Thinking: AS9120B introduces risk-based
thinking to address potential risks and opportunities proactively.
C. Counterfeit Parts Prevention: The new standard
places increased emphasis on detecting and preventing the use of counterfeit
parts in the supply chain.
D. Human Factors: AS9120B recognizes the importance
of human factors in maintaining product quality and safety, addressing areas
such as competency, awareness, and training.
Differences
Between AS9120A and AS9120B
AS9120A was the previous revision. Below are some key
differences between AS9120A and AS9120B:
- Structure and alignment: AS9120B aligns with the
latest version of the ISO 9001 standard, which is ISO 9001:2015. This means
that AS9120B incorporates the changes and requirements of ISO 9001:2015 into
its framework, while AS9120A was based on the previous version, ISO 9001:2008.
- Risk-based thinking: AS9120B places a stronger
emphasis on risk-based thinking throughout the entire quality management
system. This approach requires organizations to identify, assess, and address
risks and opportunities that may affect the ability to provide conforming
products and services.
- Context of the organization: AS9120B requires
organizations to understand the context in which they operate, including the
needs and expectations of relevant interested parties. This broader perspective
helps companies to tailor their quality management systems more effectively.
- Leadership and commitment: AS9120B emphasizes the
involvement of top management in the quality management system and its
performance. Leaders are expected to take more active roles in promoting and
supporting the system.
- Documentation requirements: AS9120B adopts the
same approach as ISO 9001:2015 in terms of documentation. It focuses on the
importance of providing the necessary documentation without requiring extensive
bureaucratic procedures.
- Product safety: AS9120B includes more explicit
requirements for product safety, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that
products are safe for their intended use.
Certification Process
To achieve AS9120B certification, aerospace distributors
must follow these steps:
- Self-assessment: Organizations should
conduct an internal assessment to gauge their readiness for certification and
identify any gaps in their existing processes.
- Selecting a Certification Body: Choose an
accredited certification body to perform an external audit and assess compliance
with AS9120B requirements.
- External Audit: The certification body
will conduct an on-site audit to evaluate the distributor's processes and
systems thoroughly.
- Corrective Actions: If any
non-conformities are identified during the audit, the organization must take
corrective actions to address them.
- Certification: Once all requirements are
met, the certification body issues the AS9120B certification.
Benefits of AS9120B Certification
Obtaining AS9120B certification offers several advantages to
aerospace distributors:
- Improved quality management: AS9120B certification
establishes a framework for implementing and maintaining a robust quality
management system. This leads to better control over processes, reduced errors,
and improved product and service quality.
- Increased customer confidence: Being AS9120B
certified demonstrates a distributor's commitment to quality and compliance
with aerospace industry requirements. Customers can trust that the distributor
adheres to strict standards and will deliver reliable products.
- Enhanced credibility and reputation: Certification
enhances the distributor's reputation in the aerospace industry. It serves as a
mark of reliability and professionalism, making the distributor more attractive
to potential customers and business partners.
- Better risk management: The certification process
involves identifying and mitigating potential risks in the distribution
process. This can lead to reduced incidents of product nonconformities, supply
chain disruptions, and other risks, ensuring a more stable business operation.
- Streamlined operations: AS9120B requires
organizations to establish efficient and standardized processes. This leads to
smoother operations, reduced wastage, and increased productivity.
- Compliance with regulatory requirements: The
aerospace industry has stringent regulatory requirements, and AS9120B helps
distributors meet those requirements more effectively. Compliance reduces the
risk of legal and regulatory issues.
- Access to new markets: Some customers, especially
in the aerospace sector, may require suppliers and distributors to be AS9120B
certified to be eligible for consideration. Certification opens up new business
opportunities and access to potential clients.
- Continuous improvement culture: AS9120B encourages
a culture of continuous improvement within the organization. The certification
process involves ongoing monitoring, measurement, and review of processes,
leading to a focus on continual enhancement.
- Reduced audit burden: AS9120B certification
streamlines the audit process for distributors. With a certified quality
management system in place, audits from customers and regulatory authorities
are often more straightforward and less time-consuming.
- Supply chain advantages: AS9120B certification
can be a competitive advantage in the supply chain. Manufacturers and OEMs
often prefer working with certified distributors, as it ensures the reliability
and quality of the products they receive.
Conclusion
AS9120B plays a vital role in ensuring that aerospace
distributors maintain the highest quality standards in their operations. By
complying with this standard, organizations can enhance customer satisfaction,
mitigate risks, and achieve sustainable growth in the aerospace sector.
Embracing AS9120B represents a commitment to excellence and continuous
improvement, ultimately fostering a safer and more reliable aerospace industry
for everyone involved.
