Before Your Annual AS9100 Audit

As most of you know, if you get hit during an AS9100 audit with a finding that is the same or similar to a finding that you received the previous year, the lead auditor is required to issue you a major noncompliance against the corrective action process.¹

What many of you may not know, is that if you get hit with a same or similar finding the year after you received a major noncompliance for repeat minors, the lead auditor may be required to recommend suspension of your AS9100 certification.²

THE BOTTOM LINE

THE ONE THING THAT COULD COST YOU DEARLY

Not performing a thorough check for corrective action effectiveness a few months before your annual AS9100 audit could be costly. A major NCR could be issued against your corrective action process if an issue is found during your annual audit that is similar to one found the prior year. A recommendation of certificate suspension could be issued if you have had prior issues with repeat minor NCRs.

A THOROUGH CHECK

A thorough check for AS9100 compliance in key areas should be planned and made well in advance of your annual AS9100 audit.

This check should include the key trouble-makers listed for all work groups.
This should include a check for effectiveness of any corrective action taken on previous NCRs.
The management team should review the results in time to make any needed adjustments PRIOR to the upcoming audit.

YOUR FALLBACK PLAN

If you decide you don’t have the resources to perform a thorough check in a timely manner, AS9100 University can perform this thorough check for you remotely if you give us enough notice. You can contact AS9100 University about your need and we will quote you a price based on the number of NCRs we are following-up on, and the extent of the effort that will be needed.

As the Boy Scouts used to say, “Be prepared.”

This requirement comes from AS9101 Quality Management Systems - Audit Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defense Organizations, Rev. F
AS9101F section 4.2.3 states, “Recurrence of the same or similar nonconformity found during consecutive audits at a particular site/location shall be considered as a major nonconformity against the corrective action process (see 9100-series standards clause 10.2).”

This requirement comes from AS9101 Quality Management Systems - Audit Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defense Organizations, Rev. F
AS9101F section 4.2.3 states, “For surveillance, recertification or special audits, the audit team leader shall advise, within the Audit Report (see Form 5), whether the recorded nonconformities should be reason for suspension or withdrawal of the certificate. Failure by the organization to demonstrate effective corrective action to deal with repeat nonconformities shall warrant suspension of the certification.”