The way the AS 91XX scheme is implemented is changing

The way the AS 91XX scheme is implemented is changing

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aerospace
aerospace
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Upcoming revisions to AS 9104/1 / EN 9104-001: Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defence Quality Management System Certification Programs

If your organization is certified to the AS 91XX series you will need to be aware of some upcoming changes to AS 9104/1 / EN 9104-001, which specifies requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defence Quality Management System Certification programs. Please note that as AS 9104-1 / EN 9104-001 has not yet passed ballot, this information is subject to change.

What are the changes?

AS 9104/1 / EN 9104-001 specifies how the AS 91XX scheme is implemented. This revision is therefore significant in its effects on all stakeholders. The changes will come into effect in accordance with the supplementary rules which will be issued by the IAQG to control the transition. The revised standard is expected to be published in June 2021, but this is subject to the IAQG ballot process.

The revisions will provide AS 91XX organizations with a range of new business improvement opportunities, including flexibility in assignment of audit time to where it is most needed, the possibility of conducting a greater proportion of each audit remotely (outside COVID alleviations), and concurrent integrated auditing of your integrated management systems, such as ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety, ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management and so on.

A summary of the main changes;

1. Simplified structures Structures will be simplified to either single or multi. Organizations whose current structure is “complex”, “campus” or “several”, will need to transition to a “multi” structure probably at the point of recertification, dependent on the transition rules set by the IAQG. This simplification is being implemented in part due to changes set out by the accreditation rules (under the IAF) and partly to reflect the needs of industry. This change will affect audit durations.
2. New method for calculating audit time

OCAP (Organization Certification Analysis Programme) is a new method for calculating audit duration and audit time, taking into account the risks at an organization (processes, complexity etc.). Audit time is the sum of audit duration (time spent actually auditing) plus planning and reporting. The new standard adds 10% of the audit duration to planning and 10% for report writing. This time is being built in to further improve the quality of the audit and enhance the organization’s audit experience and audit effectiveness, with organizations participating in the important planning phase.
3. Increase in remote audit component

In response to COVID-19, the IAQG has allowed Certification Bodies to conduct remote audits when possible. These temporary alleviations have allowed up to 100% of audits to be conducted remotely in approved circumstances. Prior to the introduction of the COVID-19 alleviations, up to 30% of audits could be conducted remotely. The AS 9104/1 / EN 9104-001 revisions include an increase in the maximum permitted remote audit proportion percentage, from 30% to 50%. This brings all the additional benefits of AS 91XX remote audits, including flexibility, reduced travel for your team and ours, engagement with your teams no matter where they are based, and access to our global network of experts.

Find out more about AS 91XX remote audits >
4. Introduction of Integrated Management Systems (IMS) Integrated audits of Integrated Management Systems (IMS) will be permitted, enabling organizations to integrate their other management systems with their AS 91XX Quality Management System and synchronise their audits. The introduction of integrated audits provides organizations with a range of benefits, including efficiencies and cost savings due to meeting all standard requirements with one set of policies and procedures, sharing of ideas and improvements across your Management Systems, mutual support across your systems and teams, reduced duplication, disruption and resource demand.
5. Introduction of PBSRP (Performance Based Surveillance/Recertification Programme) PBS/RP replaces Advanced Surveillance and Recertification Program (ASRP) as ASRP no longer exists under the IAF accreditation rules. Instead, the IAQG is developing its own version, PBS/RP, subject to IAF approval. Subject to meeting the necessarily high entry and maintenance criteria, an organization may be able to reduce its 3rd party audit duration significantly. To be eligible the organization must use internal auditors that are AEA qualified per AS/EN 9104-003, deliver thorough and robust internal audits, have consistently met (and continue to meet) customer requirements for OTD and product conformity for at least one audit cycle (3 years) and have consistently met (and continue to meet) internal KPIs, i.e. have a thoroughly effective Quality Management System, for at least one audit cycle.

What are the benefits?

The revisions outlined above are being introduced to further embed excellence and inspire trust in the aerospace industry, and ultimately its customers. The changes also offer AS 91XX scheme organizations a range of benefits, including;

  • A partnership approach between certified organizations and the Certification Body (BSI) with organizations fully engaged in the planning phase
  • Further opportunity to benefit from the flexibility of AS 91XX remote audits
  • A new opportunity to integrate your AS 91XX Quality Management System with other Management Systems and to be audited in an integrated manner. And with BSI Connect (our customer portal) you will benefit from a holistic view across all systems and all sites, performance analysis, and centralised management of issues.
  • Easier integration of new Management Systems in the future as organizations gain certification to other Management System standards over time

When and how do I transition?

It’s expected that the AS 9104/1 / EN 9104-001 revision will be published in June 2021. The Accreditation Bodies (e.g. UKAS, ANAB, DAkkS etc.) and then Certification Bodies (BSI), have to transition in turn.

We will then support your transition (which will vary depending on your structure). We will provide you with all the information you need to transition, based on the IAQG transition rules, which are yet to be issued.

If you are an existing BSI client organization, contact your Client Manager to learn more. If you are new to BSI we’d be delighted to assist you with your transition and help explain what the revisions mean for your organization. Contact us to get started.

Contact us to get started >

Why BSI?

BSI is ideally placed to partner with organizations through the standard revision and support the additional business opportunities the changes bring.

  • BSI’s Global Head of Aerospace, Brendon Hill, has been part of the AS 9104/1 / EN 9104-001 revision writing committee, so understands the changes first hand.
  • We have a programme to help guide you through the changes, including webinars, an organization guide and FAQs.
  • We have been successfully delivering remote audits in aerospace for the last 2 years. In 2020 we are set to deliver more than 3,500 AS 91XX audit days remotely.
  • We have the scale and reach to deliver on the Integrated Management Systems opportunities.
  • As the originator of many of the world’s leading management system standards, we are ideally placed to help you integrate your management systems and harness the efficiencies this offers.

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