Aerospace Certification Services

Aerospace Standards 

The aerospace industry operates to some of the tightest quality and safety standards in the world—and for good reason. When a component fails at altitude, the consequences can be catastrophic. That is why the organizations that design, build, maintain, and distribute aerospace products are held to globally recognized quality management standards, known as the AS91XX series or Aerospace Quality Management System (AQMS) standards. 

The aerospace standards (AS9100, AS9110, and AS9120) are a series of quality standards based on ISO 9001. They were developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG)—a body with representatives from aerospace manufacturers across the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe—specifically to address the quality, safety and reliability demands of the aviation, space, and defense (AS&D) industries. 

Who Needs Aerospace Quality Standards? 

Aerospace certifications are developed for organizations operating in aviation, space, and defense supply chains. They are all based on ISO 9001, but with additional IAQG requirements for specific business types: 

• AS9100 is based on ISO 9001, but with IAQG requirements for manufacturers. 
• AS9110 is based on ISO 9001 with IAQG requirements for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities. 
• AS9120 is based on ISO 9001 with IAQG requirements for distributors. 

They can all provide greater confidence that an organization’s systems are robust, risks are controlled, and quality is embedded across their operations.  

AS9100 vs AS9110 vs AS9120 compared

Aerospace certifications are based on the AS91XX family of standards, developed specifically for aviation, space, and defense supply chains.

A revision of the AS9100 standard is planned for release in 2026, when it will be reissued as IA9100. Once published, organizations will have a transition period to update their systems. Stay up to date with the latest news on the AS9100/IA9100 revision.

Standards vs Certification explained

Each standard in the series builds on ISO 9001, the internationally recognized quality management system framework, and adds requirements specific to aerospace: risk management, product safety, configuration control, traceability, and counterfeit parts prevention, among others.

Certification means an accredited third party—like Amtivo—has independently audited your quality management system and confirmed it meets the requirements of the relevant standard. Aerospace manufacturers and customers worldwide then recognize that certificate.

The Benefits of Certification in the Aerospace Industry 

For most businesses, the trigger for getting certified to aerospace standards is straightforward: although not a regulatory requirement, AS9100, AS9110, and AS9120 are heavily supported and often specified by aviation authorities, aerospace manufacturers, prime contractors and governmental organizations.  

Such businesses and industry bodies may require suppliers to hold certification to some or all of the AS9100, AS9110, and AS9120 standards. Without it, you may not be in the conversation. 

But the reasons to certify go beyond getting through the door, with benefits including: 

• A platform for growth: Standards are recognized across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific (as AS9100, EN9100, and JISQ9100 respectively). Certification opens international markets, not just domestic ones. 
• Improved access to contracts: Certification is a prerequisite to supply for most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 contractors. AS9100 certification also means automatic listing on OASIS—the International Aerospace Quality Group’s global supplier database—giving aerospace buyers worldwide visibility of your business. 
• One certificate that replaces multiple customer audits: When a third party like Amtivo has independently verified your quality management system, customers might not need to audit you themselves. That can save time on both sides and signals that your processes are genuinely robust, not just self-declared. 
• A structured way to manage risk: AS91XX standards are built around risk-based thinking—identifying and addressing potential failures before they happen. 
• Operational improvements that show up in the numbers: Documented, audited processes can reduce variation, cut waste, and improve delivery consistency. Many certified organizations find the operational gains over time outweigh the cost of certification. 

US Presence 

Amtivo is an ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)-accredited certification body with global offices, including three dedicated locations in the US. This includes the Corona office, strategically located to assist Californian aerospace businesses. California is a powerhouse in the aerospace industry, driving innovation with a talented workforce, elite universities, and diverse businesses in manufacturing and tech.