EN 9100 – Quality Management in Aerospace

1. Definition and objectives

EN 9100 defines the requirements for a quality management system for organisations in the aerospace industry.

It serves to establish, maintain, and continuously improve an effective management system with the objective of ensuring product safety, reliability, and compliance with regulatory and customer-specific requirements.

EN 9100 is based on the structure of ISO 9001 and is part of a standards series that also includes:

• EN 9110 – for maintenance organisations
• EN 9120 – for stockists and distributors

These standards also cover, to a large extent, requirements derived from aviation regulations, including:

• EASA Part 21 (Subparts G and J)
• EASA Part 145
• EASA Part-CAMO
• as well as other relevant regulatory provisions

While aviation regulations place strong emphasis on safety and regulatory compliance, EN 9100 additionally aims to establish an efficient and high-performing organisational structure that ensures a high level of customer satisfaction

2. Why is EN 9100 certification required?

Certification to EN 9100 is often a key prerequisite for operating as an approved supplier in the aerospace industry.

For existing and prospective suppliers, it can be essential to:

• Be recognised as a qualified partner
• Be listed in supplier databases of major OEMs
• Demonstrate compliance with regulatory and customer-specific requirements

EN 9100 certification is therefore not only proof of quality but also a strategic competitive factor in the aerospace market.

3. Benefits of EN 9100 certification

Aligning your organisation with the systematic fulfilment of customer and regulatory requirements through an EN 9100-compliant quality management system leads to measurable and sustainable performance improvements across all areas.

A certified EN 9100 quality management system offers, in particular:

3.1 Market access and competitiveness

• Internationally recognised aerospace quality standard
• Inclusion in the OASIS database (Online Aerospace Supplier Information System)
• Increased visibility and recognition as a qualified supplier
• Improved success in tenders and supplier evaluations

3.2 Structure, safety, and efficiency

• Implementation of structured risk management processes to enhance safety and efficiency
• Systematic application of continuous improvement processes
• Transparent and reproducible organisational processes
• Sustainable improvement of process and product quality

3.3 Integration and scalability of management systems

• Efficient integration of existing systems
  (e.g. EASA Part 21, Part 145, Part-CAMO, and other regulatory requirements)
• Establishment of a solid foundation for additional management systems
  (e.g. environmental management or occupational health and safety)
• Fulfilment of specific customer requirements, e.g. through implementation of
  APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) in accordance with EN 9145

4. The path to EN 9100 certification

To achieve EN 9100 certification and demonstrate compliance, the quality management system (QMS) must implement defined processes and procedures.

Key QMS requirements

Configuration and change management

• Control of product and process changes
• Systematic configuration control

Process and project management

• Process control, including special processes
• Integration of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
• Structured project planning with defined milestones
  (development, production, after-sales)

Supplier and traceability management

• Selection, qualification, and monitoring of suppliers
• Ensuring full traceability of products and services, including those provided by external partners

Risk and quality management

• Product- and process-related risk management
  (e.g. DFMEA, PFMEA)
• Identification of critical parts and key characteristics
• Approval of process changes and deviations
• Process approvals, e.g. First Article Inspection (FAI)

Technical documentation and compliance evidence

• Development of process and inspection documentation
• Determination of process and measurement capability
• Qualification of personnel
• Documentation, archiving, and traceability of evidence

Additional requirements may apply depending on the organisation’s scope and activities.

5. Our EN 9100 services

We support you in the establishment, implementation, and continuous improvement of EN 9100-compliant quality management systems—both for initial certification and for the long-term maintenance and optimisation of existing systems.

From the planning phase onward, we consider your individual requirements, industry-specific conditions, and the timeline for your targeted certification.

5.1. Consultation

With our extensive experience from numerous EN 9100 certification projects, we analyse and assess your existing processes and procedures precisely and purposefully. We typically follow these six work steps:

a) Initial consultation

During the initial consultation, we work with you to define the goals, project scope (including resources, duration, and costs), as well as the opportunities and potential risks of the EN 9100 certification project that may affect its progress. These include, for example:

• Necessity and depth of integration of existing approvals under EASA Part 21, Part 145, and Part-CAMO
• Integration of additional customer requirements and their implementation within the QMS, e.g. NADCAP, APQP, and other relevant standards, procedures, and specific requirements
• Maturity and experience of your organisation, especially with regard to existing processes, structures, and management systems

b) Current-state assessment

At the start of the project, we offer a gap analysis (current QMS status vs. EN 9100 requirements and, if applicable, customer requirements).
The objective of the gap analysis is to identify weaknesses and define work packages and tasks for the EN 9100 implementation project.

The gap analysis can also be performed as part of a pre-audit.

In addition, a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) can be carried out.

c) Implementation

Together with you, we develop and optimise your processes and procedures to meet the standard requirements. Where necessary, we implement the required QMS documentation and support you in practical execution.

d) Certification process

We support you in selecting, commissioning, and coordinating certification bodies.
To prepare for the certification audit, we conduct EN 9100 pre-audits as a practical readiness test in advance—also as support for your internal auditors, if desired.

e) Maintaining certification

After successful certification, we continue supporting our customers as coaches or internal auditors and provide comprehensive assistance in the practical implementation of EN 9100 and customer requirements.

5.2. Products

• Generic EN 9100 Quality Management Manual including procedures, if applicable considering additional customer requirements
• Forms and checklists (depending on needs and complexity)

Note: All documents can generally be adapted to the current situation at any time.