AS9110 Certification: Standard, Requirements & Who Needs It

In the rapidly growing aerospace maintenance industry, where, according to Grand View Research, the global aircraft MRO market size was estimated at USD 90.85 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 120.96 billion by 2030, quality management has never been more critical. With the global aircraft fleet projected to reach over 38,300 by 2035, aerospace maintenance organizations face unprecedented demands for safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. This is where AS9110 certification becomes essential, providing a specialized quality management standard that ensures maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers meet the aerospace industry's stringent requirements.

What Is the AS9110 Standard?

The AS9110 standard is a comprehensive quality management system specifically designed for aerospace maintenance organizations. AS9110 is the dedicated quality standard for aerospace repair stations and MRO organizations, and while it is based on AS9100, it introduces additional requirements critical to post-production maintenance of commercial, private, and military aircraft.

AS9110 was developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) in response to increasing demands for additional requirements that address MRO-specific concerns on safety, reliability, and airworthiness. The standard builds upon ISO 9001:2015 quality management system requirements while incorporating nearly 100 additional requirements specific to the aerospace MRO industry.

At its core, the AS9110 standard addresses critical areas, including:

• Detection and prevention of counterfeit and unapproved parts
• Human factors in maintenance operations
• Safety management systems
• Technical data control and configuration management
• Risk-based thinking and operational risk management

The standard follows the same 10-clause structure as ISO 9001:2015, ensuring seamless integration with existing quality management systems while adding aerospace-specific requirements that directly impact product safety and airworthiness.

Who Needs AS9110 Certification?

AS9110 certification is essential for organizations operating in the aerospace maintenance sector. The primary candidates for this certification include:

Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Organizations

Independent MRO providers that service commercial, private, and military aircraft require AS9110 certification to demonstrate their commitment to aerospace quality standards. The independent MRO segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2024.

FAA Part 145 Certified Repair Stations 

The prime candidates to seek certification to the AS9110 standard are FAA 145 certified repair stations. These organizations must maintain both regulatory compliance and industry quality standards.

Aviation, Space & Defence Maintenance Providers 

Organizations providing maintenance services for military aviation products, space systems, and defense applications benefit significantly from AS9110 certification.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with Autonomous MRO Operations 

Original equipment manufacturers with maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations that are operated autonomously, or that are substantially different from their production operations, should pursue AS9110 certification.

The certification has become increasingly important as major aerospace companies like Boeing, Airbus, and government agencies require their maintenance suppliers to hold AS9110 certification as a condition for contracts and partnerships.

Accelerate your AS9110 certification journey with BPRHub’s AI-powered aerospace quality platform, reduce audit risk, and get certified faster.

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AS9110 Certification vs AS9100: What's the Difference?

Understanding the distinction between AS9110 and AS9100 is crucial for aerospace organizations determining which standard applies to their operations.

Scope and Application Focus on AS9100 is designed for organizations involved in aerospace product design, production, and distribution. AS9110 is specifically tailored for aerospace maintenance organizations responsible for repair and overhaul activities.

Industry Requirements While both standards share the ISO 9001 foundation, AS9110 expands on AS9100 with extra requirements for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). It includes additional requirements for maintenance documentation, technical data control, and work verification processes unique to aircraft servicing operations.

Emphasis Areas AS9100 emphasizes product safety, risk management, and supply chain control. AS9110 focuses on maintenance processes, regulatory compliance, and personnel competence.

The key difference lies in AS9110's specific focus on post-production maintenance activities, while AS9100 covers the entire aerospace manufacturing and design lifecycle.

Key Requirements of the AS9110 Standard

The AS9110 standard encompasses several critical requirements that organizations must implement:

Safety & Airworthiness Management, organizations must establish robust safety management systems that ensure all maintenance activities preserve aircraft airworthiness and comply with regulatory requirements.

Maintenance Control Systems focused on repair schemes, maintenance plans, and configuration management with qualified personnel performing MRO tasks.

Risk Management Framework makes risk-based thinking explicit throughout the management system, ensuring prevention becomes part of strategic and operational planning.

Human Factors Integration requires consideration of human factors in maintenance operations, recognizing their critical impact on safety and quality.

Configuration Management maintains stringent controls over product configuration and documentation to ensure aircraft integrity and traceability.

For organizations already certified to ISO 9001, the transition to AS9110 builds upon existing quality management foundations while adding aerospace-specific requirements.

Benefits of AS9110 Certification for Aerospace Maintenance Organizations

AS9110 certification delivers substantial benefits:

Enhanced Regulatory Compliance helps organizations meet complex aerospace regulations while demonstrating compliance to authorities and customers.

Improved Risk Management requires proactive risk identification, assessment, and mitigation to address potential issues before escalation.

Market Access and Competitive Advantage, many aerospace clients, government entities, and major airlines require suppliers to hold this certification.

Enhanced Safety Performance, focusing on human factors and risk management, leads to improved safety outcomes and reduced maintenance incidents.

How the AS9110 Certification Process Works

The AS9110 certification process follows a structured approach:

Gap Analysis: Organizations begin with a comprehensive gap analysis to identify areas where current quality management systems need enhancement to meet AS9110 requirements.

Implementation: This phase involves developing or modifying quality management processes, documentation, and training programs to align with AS9110 standards.

Internal Audit Organizations conduct internal audits to verify that their quality management system meets AS9110 requirements before engaging external auditors.

Stage 1 Certification Audit: Auditors will look at an organization's documents and productivity. They use an industry-standard checklist to evaluate and assess risk and performance.

Stage 2 Certification Audit: The second stage of the audit focuses on quality management systems and their structures. An auditor wants to determine whether the business has processes that meet the aviation and aerospace industry's requirements.

Ongoing Surveillance: Certification follows a three-year cycle of annual audits, with a recertification audit taking place at the end of the three-year period.

Organizations with existing quality management systems often find the transition more manageable, as AS9110 builds upon established quality frameworks.

Who Issues AS9110 Certification and How It Is Regulated

AS9110 certification must be issued by accredited certification bodies operating under strict oversight:

Accreditation Bodies

According to ANAB, ANAB-accredited CBs issued more certifications to this standard than any other Accreditation Body. The American National Standards Institute National Accreditation Board (ANAB) is the primary accreditation body in the United States.

Certification Bodies (CBs) 

A CB must conform to ISO/IEC 17021 and be accredited for ISO 9004 by ANAB (or another IAF MLA signatory) for a year prior to applying for AS accreditation.

International Oversight 

ANAB, as an accreditation body recognized by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) Industry Controlled Other Party (ICOP), is a trusted accreditor of bodies that issue certifications to the AS9100 series of standards.

OASIS Database 

Companies certified to AS9110 are included in the international online database OASIS (Online Aerospace Supplier Information System) of the IAQG (International Aerospace Quality Group).

This robust oversight framework ensures that AS9110 certifications maintain credibility and international recognition across the aerospace industry.

Common Challenges in AS9110 Certification (and How to Avoid Them)

Organizations pursuing AS9110 certification often face specific challenges:

Documentation Gaps: Many struggle with developing maintenance-specific documentation that meets AS9110 requirements. Success requires systematic documentation review and enhancement guided by standard requirements.

Human Factors Integration requires consideration of human factors in root cause analysis for nonconformities, understanding interactions between people, machines, and their impact on human performance.

Risk Management Implementation: Comprehensive risk management systems require embedding risk-based thinking throughout all maintenance processes.

Audit Readiness Certification audit preparation requires thorough AS9110 understanding and systematic preparation through mock audits and gap remediation.

Working with experienced consultants, such as those at BPRHub, can help organizations navigate these challenges effectively and achieve certification more efficiently.

How Long Does AS9110 Certification Take and What Does It Cost?

Timeline Considerations: Becoming AS9100 or AS9120 certified typically takes 6 to 12 months. AS9110 certification follows similar timeframes, though organizations with existing quality management systems may complete the process more quickly.

Cost Factors The cost varies based on organization size, complexity, geographic location, consulting needs, and training requirements. Organizations should budget for both initial certification costs and ongoing surveillance audit expenses throughout the three-year certification cycle.

How to Get Started with AS9110 Certification

Readiness Assessment: Begin with a comprehensive assessment of your current quality management system against AS9110 requirements. Organizations with ISO 9001 certification have a solid foundation.

Expert Support: Engage experienced consultants who understand AS9110 requirements and aerospace maintenance operations.

Implementation Roadmap: Develop a detailed project plan addressing gap analysis findings, resource allocation, and training requirements.

Training and Documentation: Invest in comprehensive training and develop robust documentation meeting AS9110 requirements.

For organizations seeking expert guidance, quality metrics for aerospace and defense provide valuable insights.

How Does BPRHub Help with AS9110 Certification?

BPRHub's AI QCG for Aerospace offers comprehensive support for organizations pursuing AS9110 certification:

AI-Powered Compliance Intelligence: Built-in intelligence for AS9100 and other aerospace compliance standards, with predictive risk assessment for safety-critical processes.

Intelligent Document Management: AI QCG locates critical aerospace documents instantly, like quality manuals, airworthiness procedures, and supplier certifications, with real-time compliance tracking.

Supplier Performance Monitoring: Comprehensive monitoring across global aerospace supply chains with predictive early warnings on quality escapes, supply chain delays, and safety issues.

Audit Readiness: Always audit-ready capabilities, reducing time, cost, and risk of nonconformance with real-time compliance scores and guided preparation workflows.

Integration Services: Seamless integration with existing systems while maintaining AS9100 audit processes and supplier quality management capabilities.

See how BPRHub helps MRO organizations achieve AS9110 compliance with predictive risk intelligence and always-audit-ready systems.

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Key Takeaways

→ AS9110 certification is essential for aerospace MRO organizations operating in a market projected to reach $120.96 billion by 2030

→ The standard builds upon ISO 9001 with nearly 100 additional aerospace-specific requirements focused on safety, risk management, and airworthiness

→ Certification provides significant competitive advantages, including improved market access, customer confidence, and operational efficiency

→ Organizations typically require 6-12 months to achieve certification, with costs varying based on size, complexity, and existing quality systems

→ ANAB-accredited certification bodies provide internationally recognized certification under IAQG oversight

→ Expert consultation significantly improves implementation success rates and reduces certification timeline

FAQs

What is the difference between AS9110 and AS9100 certification? 

AS9110 is specifically designed for aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul organizations, while AS9100 covers the broader aerospace manufacturing and design supply chain. AS9110 includes additional requirements for maintenance-specific processes, human factors, and regulatory compliance unique to MRO operations.

Is AS9110 certification mandatory for aerospace maintenance organizations? 

While not legally mandatory, AS9110 certification is increasingly required by major aerospace manufacturers, airlines, and government agencies as a condition for contracts and partnerships. It has become a practical necessity for organizations seeking to participate in the aerospace maintenance supply chain.

Can organizations with ISO 9001 certification transition to AS9110? 

Yes, organizations with existing ISO 9001 certification have a solid foundation for AS9110 implementation, as the aerospace standard builds upon ISO 9001 requirements. The transition involves adding aerospace-specific processes and documentation to meet the additional requirements.

How often do AS9110 certified organizations undergo audits? 

AS9110 certification follows a three-year cycle with annual surveillance audits and a comprehensive recertification audit at the end of each three-year period. This ensures ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.

What are the main benefits of AS9110 certification for maintenance organizations? 

Key benefits include improved regulatory compliance, enhanced customer confidence, access to aerospace contracts, operational efficiency gains, better risk management, and demonstrated commitment to quality and safety standards.

How can organizations verify AS9110 certification status? 

AS9110 certified organizations are listed in the OASIS (Online Aerospace Supplier Information System) database maintained by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), which serves as the official verification system for aerospace quality certifications.