Understanding the AS9100 Certification Cost and Its Impact on Business

Many companies struggle to meet the aerospace industry's specific quality standards. Their existing quality management systems often don’t address the unique needs of the sector, making it tough to maintain consistent quality control across all operations. As a result, they may find it challenging to demonstrate their credibility to potential aerospace clients.

Competitors in the aerospace industry solve these problems by adopting AS9100 certification. This certification is designed specifically for aerospace, setting rigorous standards for quality management. By earning AS9100, they build client trust, improve internal processes, and ultimately boost customer satisfaction and business growth. 

In this blog, we’ll break down the AS9100 certification cost and how it impacts your business. First, we’ll help you understand this certification with a brief overview. 

Who Uses AS9100 Certification?

AS9100 or EN9100:2018, or AS9100D certification, is primarily used by companies in the aerospace and defense industries. The International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), in collaboration with experts from the aviation, space, and defense sectors in the Americas, Asia/Pacific, and Europe, created the standard. The certification is recognized globally, making it essential for any business working within these sectors.

AS9100 was introduced in 1999 to address the specific quality requirements of aerospace companies. It builds on ISO 9001 but includes stricter guidelines to ensure safety and reliability in aerospace products and services. 

The certification helps manufacturers prove their commitment to quality and consistency, which is crucial in an industry where failures can have serious consequences.

Industries that commonly use AS9100 include:

• Aerospace Manufacturing: Companies that design and build aircraft, spacecraft, and related components.
• Defense Contractors: Businesses that provide equipment or services to military organizations.
• Suppliers and Service Providers: Any company offering parts, maintenance, or support to aerospace and defense contractors.

By adopting AS9100, these companies demonstrate their ability to meet high standards, increasing their credibility within the aerospace market. But how will this standard benefit your manufacturing business?

What’s the Impact of AS9100 Certification in Your Organization?

AS9100 certification offers a wide range of benefits that can significantly improve your business’s internal processes and open doors to new opportunities. With 75% of AS9100D aligning with ISO 9001: 2015 and an additional 105 aerospace-specific requirements, this certification marks a strategic advantage. 

Here’s a list of all the benefits you can expect from this certification:

1. Compliance with Industry Standards and Regulations: Achieving AS9100 certification ensures your company meets the specific legal and regulatory requirements within the aerospace sector. In this way, you can avoid potential compliance issues and stay aligned with industry laws, regulations, and safety standards.

2. Improved Product Consistency and Quality: With AS9100, your organization will focus on consistent, high-quality production processes. This leads to fewer defects, better customer satisfaction, and a stronger reputation for delivering reliable products.

3. Stronger Brand Image and Company Reputation: Certification signals to customers, partners, and stakeholders that your business is committed to maintaining rigorous quality management standards. This improves how your company is perceived in the market, making it more appealing to potential clients.

4. Better Internal and External Communication: AS9100 facilitates clear communication within the organization and external stakeholders. It defines roles and responsibilities, ensuring everyone is aligned and informed, improving operational efficiency, and reducing misunderstandings.

5. Minimized Risks, Failures, and Waste: AS9100 emphasizes the reduction of operational risks, failures, and waste. By adopting standardized processes, you can reduce errors, improve product quality, and cut unnecessary costs, directly benefiting the bottom line.

6. Demonstrated Commitment to Quality Management: The AS9100 certification is a visible indicator to customers and suppliers that your organization is dedicated to quality. This strengthens the relationships and builds trust with both existing and potential clients.

7. Better Supply Chain Management: AS9100 helps you improve the quality of your entire supply chain by setting high standards for suppliers. With more reliable suppliers and better coordination, you can reduce delays, improve lead times, and lower costs.

8. Increased Profitability and Organizational Growth: By improving operational efficiency, reducing waste, and increasing customer satisfaction, AS9100 can directly contribute to profitability and long-term business growth. The certification makes your business more appealing to investors, partners, and clients looking for reliable, high-quality suppliers.

9. Access to Large OEMs and Supply Chain Networks: Certification to AS9100 standards opens the door to working with large Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other parts of the aerospace supply chain. Many major aerospace companies require AS9100 certification from their suppliers, meaning this certification can give you access to global clients and partners.

While the AS9100 certification can enhance your business's reputation and profitability, it can also be a significant financial investment for small businesses. So, what exactly is the cost of obtaining AS9100 certification?

A Detail Breakdown of AS9100 Certification Cost

An impressive 96% of companies certified under the AS9100 series have fewer than 500 employees. This shows that small businesses are highly interested in this certification. For these companies, detailing costs is crucial. With limited budgets and resources, they need to carefully assess the financial investment required for certification to maximize value, streamline processes, and maintain competitiveness without straining finances.

Here’s the concept explained below:

1. Contracting a Registrar

The registration audit is performed by an accredited registrar, and their fees are typically based on the size and complexity of your organization. The more complex your processes are, the more audit days the Registrar will need, which will drive up costs. Additionally, if the Registrar is not local, there will be travel expenses. Other administrative and accreditation fees may also apply.

To get an accurate estimate of the cost for your company, it’s best to contact a registrar directly and request a quote based on your specific needs.

2. Internal Costs

One often-overlooked AS9100 certification cost is the internal time and effort required to build, implement, and maintain your quality management system (QMS). This involves dedicating employees to tasks such as process mapping, documentation creation, training, and ongoing compliance management. The time spent by employees will vary depending on the size of your company and how established your current QMS is.

For smaller companies, the internal cost might be relatively low, while larger companies may need to allocate significant resources to meet AS9100 requirements.

3. Outside Help (Consultants and Tools)

While some companies may have the internal expertise to implement AS9100 on their own, others may require external help in the form of consultants or specialized tools. Consultants typically charge for their expertise in setting up your QMS, providing training, and guiding you through the certification process.

If you choose not to hire a consultant, you can go for one package fee model. For example, a One-Pricing Package from BPR Hub can simplify much of the work involved in preparing your QMS.

Estimated Costs of AS9100 Implementation Based on Company Size and Existing Quality System

Note: This is an estimated budget. This still changes with time and on the basis of the one-pricing package or the consultant's hourly rate. The best way to prepare for the estimated budget is to contact the service provider.

After seeing the above table, we understand that the budget can go beyond $100,000. But how can you mitigate the cost? Don’t worry; we will be giving you tips about that, too.

How to Lower the AS9100 Certification Cost?

Achieving AS9100 certification is a valuable investment, but it can be expensive, especially for smaller organizations. However, there are several strategies you can implement to help reduce the overall certification costs while still meeting the necessary standards.

1. Use Existing Quality Systems

If your organization already has a basic Quality Management System (QMS) in place, you can save significant costs by building on what’s already established. Updating an existing system to meet AS9100 standards will be less expensive than creating one from scratch. This reduces the time and resources required for training and implementation.

2. Train Your Internal Team

Instead of hiring external consultants for training and implementation, invest in training your existing staff. This can lower consulting fees and increase internal buy-in, making the certification process smoother. Look for affordable AS9100 training programs or take advantage of free resources that offer basic guidance on certification standards.

3. Use Cost-Effective Documentation Tools

Instead of purchasing expensive software or hiring external consultants for documentation, use affordable software solutions like BPR Hub. For this, Contact BPR Hub to get the best deal for your industry.

These resources are often tailored to help organizations quickly and efficiently implement AS9100 standards, saving both time and money.

4. Streamline Internal Processes

The more streamlined your internal processes are before beginning the AS9100 certification, the less time and effort will be required. Perform a gap analysis of your current QMS and address areas that require improvement. The more prepared your organization is, the fewer external audit days you’ll need, lowering the Registrar’s fees.

By applying these tips, you can absolutely mitigate the AS9001 certification cost. But do you know what’s the reason behind the cost of this certification? Let’s find out. 

Factors Influencing the AS9100 Certification Cost

Several factors influence the overall cost of obtaining and maintaining AS9100 certification. These factors will help you better prepare for the financial investment and avoid unexpected expenses. Here are some of the key cost drivers:

1. Employee Number and Organization Size

The size of your organization plays a significant role in determining certification costs. As you can see from the above table, larger companies will generally face higher costs. This is because the certification process requires more extensive audits, more documentation, and possibly more time spent by consultants. For example, a 100-person company may see certification costs of around $20,000, with additional consultant fees.

2. Process Changes and Documentation

One of the most significant factors in AS9100 certification cost is the need for documentation and process changes. Organizations must develop, update, and maintain quality manuals, procedures, work instructions, and records. Depending on your current documentation system, these revisions could be extensive and time-consuming. 

Additionally, any process changes needed to meet AS9100 standards may require new equipment, updated technology, or additional personnel training. This can also lead to temporary production downtime, which affects revenue.

3. Employee Training

Employee training is another cost associated with AS9100 certification. Your team will need to be trained on the new quality management system, the specific AS9100 requirements, and how to maintain the standards. This includes costs for training materials, professional trainers, and employee time spent in training sessions. Larger teams or teams without prior quality system training will incur higher costs for this part of the certification process.

4. Post-Certification Costs

Once your organization is AS9100 certified, there are additional ongoing expenses to consider. These include costs for surveillance audits and recertification, typically every three years. Failure to budget for these costs can jeopardize your certification status and result in missed business opportunities. These ongoing costs are necessary to maintain your certification and stay compliant with AS9100 standards.

Since multiple factors can affect the cost, it is not enough to handle single-handedly. For that reason, you may require new technology to jump in. And that’s where BPR Hub can really help your business.

Take a Step Further with a Software Solution: BPR Hub 

BPR Hub’s Document Hub makes the AS9100 certification process easier by providing automatic updates for continuous compliance. This reduces the time and AS9100 certification cost by creating required manuals and procedures. This helps you stay compliant with this certification without needing expensive consultants.

In addition, BPR Hub offers expert consulting to guide you through the certification process. Whether you need training or support in implementing your QMS, their team helps you navigate the process efficiently, saving both time and money. Request a Demo  Today to get started on your AS9100 journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to get AS9100 certified?
The certification process typically takes around 3 to 6 months, depending on the size of your organization and the maturity of your quality management system (QMS).

2. Do I need to hire a consultant for AS9100 certification?
It’s not mandatory, but many companies choose to hire a consultant for guidance, especially if they lack internal expertise. Consultants can help with documentation, training, and navigating the certification process.

3. Is AS9100 certification mandatory for all aerospace companies?
While not legally required, AS9100 certification is often a prerequisite for working with aerospace OEMs and suppliers. It is considered a standard for quality in the aerospace industry.

4. How often do I need to renew my AS9100 certification?
AS9100 certification requires annual surveillance audits, with full recertification every three years. These audits ensure continued compliance with the standards.

5. Can AS9100 help improve my company’s overall quality management?
Yes, implementing AS9100 can significantly enhance your company’s internal processes, improve product quality, and increase customer satisfaction by aligning your practices with international best standards.