ISO 9001 to AS9100: What’s Changing and What’s Not
- Andrew S
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
In 2023, AB Precision Grinding achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, formalizing our long-standing commitment to quality and operational consistency. Now, we’re raising the bar even further: we’re actively transitioning to AS9100, the gold standard for aerospace and defense manufacturing, with the goal of full certification by the end of 2025.
But what exactly changes when a company moves from ISO 9001 to AS9100? And what stays the same?
This post breaks down the key differences — and what they mean for our customers, suppliers, and team.
What Stays the Same - Let’s start with the familiar.
AS9100 is built on ISO 9001 - so all the core principles of a robust quality management system (QMS) remain intact:
Customer focus
Leadership involvement
Process approach
Risk-based thinking
Evidence-based decision making
Continual improvement
If you’ve already worked with us under ISO 9001, you’ve seen many of these principles in action. Our job documentation, traceability, corrective action process, and internal audits are all examples of ISO practices that laid the groundwork for the next level.
What’s Changing Under AS9100
AS9100 includes everything in ISO 9001 - and adds more. These additions are designed specifically for the high-risk, high-reliability environments of aerospace, defense, and aviation.
Here are some of the key enhancements:
1. Product Safety Requirements
AS9100 introduces explicit controls to ensure that safety-critical features are properly managed, reviewed, and verified - especially in manufacturing and inspection processes.
2. Risk Management at Every Level
While ISO 9001 emphasizes risk-based thinking, AS9100 formalizes it. We’ll be expanding our processes to include:
Risk analysis for new jobs or changes
Documentation of mitigation strategies
Planning for quality and delivery risks
3. Counterfeit Part Prevention
We’ll implement new procedures for identifying, verifying, and tracking materials to prevent the use of counterfeit or unapproved parts - especially in subcontracted or purchased components.
4. Configuration Management
Aerospace customers demand consistency across versions and revisions. AS9100 requires us to manage documentation, revisions, and product changes more tightly than ever before.
5. Expanded Supplier Controls
We’ll be increasing our oversight and evaluation of suppliers, ensuring they meet quality expectations - especially when work is outsourced.
6. More Structured Root Cause Analysis
Corrective actions under AS9100 must include documented root cause analysis, verification of effectiveness, and follow-up audits to ensure the issue doesn’t return.
What This Means for You
Whether you're an aerospace client with strict documentation requirements or a general industrial customer, the benefits of our AS9100 transition are the same:
Tighter controls = better consistency
Stronger traceability = better accountability
Formalized systems = fewer mistakes and faster recovery
Higher standards = more reliable partners
In short, you can expect the same service - now backed by a higher level of operational discipline and global recognition.
Our Commitment to Quality Is Evolving
The transition to AS9100 is more than a compliance exercise - it’s part of a bigger vision. Alongside our cybersecurity work toward CMMC Level 2 and our facility upgrades like new cranes and expanded handling capacity, we’re building a company that’s ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges - with the same core values that have guided us since day one.
Have questions about AS9100 or how it impacts your work with us?
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