AS9120 Certification for Aerospace Distributors

Who Needs AS9120 Certification?

AS9120 certification is commonly required for:

• Aerospace parts distributors

• Stockers and resellers

• Import/export aerospace suppliers

• Electronic component distributors serving defense markets

• MRO supply chain distributors

Major OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers often require AS9120 certification for approved distributor status.

What AS9120 Certification Requires

AS9120 incorporates ISO 9001 requirements while adding distributor-specific controls.

Key focus areas include:

Product Traceability

• Lot control

• Certificate of Conformity retention

• Documented chain of custody

• Identification and segregation of nonconforming product

Counterfeit Parts Prevention

• Supplier verification

• Risk-based purchasing controls

• Authenticity verification procedures

• Escalation and reporting mechanisms

Preservation & Storage

• Environmental controls

• Shelf-life monitoring

• Packaging and handling procedures

Supplier Management

• Approved supplier list

• Performance monitoring

• Risk-based evaluation

• Flow-down of customer requirements

AS9120 auditors place significant emphasis on inventory integrity and documentation control.

AS9120 vs AS9100

While both are aerospace standards:

• AS9100 applies to manufacturers.

• AS9120 applies to distributors.

AS9120 does not include design and development requirements but does expand controls related to purchasing, traceability, and counterfeit risk.

Distributors pursuing AS9120 certification must demonstrate strong inventory and supplier controls rather than production controls.

The Path to AS9120 Certification

1. Gap Analysis

We begin with a clause-aligned review of:

• Purchasing processes

• Supplier approval procedures

• Inventory tracking systems

• Nonconformance handling

• Customer documentation flow

This identifies documentation and control gaps.

2. QMS Development & Alignment

We help build or refine your Quality Management System to include:

• Quality manual alignment

• Documented procedures

• Inventory and traceability controls

• Counterfeit prevention program

• Internal audit process

• Management review structure

The goal is operational alignment, not excessive paperwork.

3. Implementation & Training

Your team must demonstrate:

• Accurate inventory records

• Controlled documentation

• Proper segregation of suspect parts

• Effective corrective action processes

Training ensures personnel understand aerospace compliance expectations.

4. Internal Audit & Certification Readiness

Before certification:

• All QMS processes must be internally audited

• Corrective actions implemented

• Management review conducted

• Records available for sampling

We prepare your team for registrar interviews and evidence sampling.

5. Certification Audit

Certification typically occurs in two stages:

• Stage 1 – Documentation and readiness review

• Stage 2 – Full implementation audit

Successful completion results in AS9120 certification.

How Long Does AS9120 Certification Take?

Typical timelines:

• Small distributor: 4–6 months

• Mid-size operation: 6–9 months

• Multi-site or complex inventory systems: 9–12+ months

Timelines depend heavily on current documentation maturity and ERP traceability capability.

Common Challenges in AS9120 Certification

Organizations often struggle with:

• Incomplete traceability records

• Weak supplier approval documentation

• Inconsistent counterfeit prevention controls

• Poorly controlled Certificates of Conformity

• Informal corrective action processes

AS9120 certification demands strong documentation discipline and record integrity.

Why Work With AS9120 Consultants?

As consultants — not a certification body — our role is to:

• Structure your QMS to meet AS9120 requirements

• Align inventory systems with compliance expectations

• Strengthen supplier control processes

• Prepare leadership and warehouse teams for audits

• Reduce the risk of major nonconformities

AS9120 certification should increase customer confidence and strengthen supply chain credibility.

AS9120 Certification as a Strategic Advantage

Certification signals:

• Aerospace supply chain reliability

• Counterfeit risk mitigation

• Documented traceability

• Structured supplier oversight

• Operational discipline

For distributors serving aviation, defense, and space markets, AS9120 certification is often the gateway to growth.