Smithers Summarizes: AS9120 Certification
Learn what AS9120 certification requires, who needs it, and how the audit process works—summarized by Smithers Quality Assessments.
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How AS9120 Protects the Aerospace Supply Chain from Counterfeit Parts
Quick Answer: AS9120 is a quality management standard specifically designed for aerospace distributors. It mandates strict traceability, documentation, and counterfeit prevention protocols that protect the integrity of the aerospace supply chain — reducing the risk of unapproved parts reaching critical aircraft systems.
Every aircraft in service today contains thousands of individual components. Each one must be genuine, traceable, and fully documented. When that chain of verification breaks down, the consequences range from costly regulatory penalties to catastrophic safety failures.
Counterfeit parts are not a theoretical risk. The FAA has linked suspect unapproved parts to over 174 documented incidents, and the global counterfeit aerospace parts market is estimated to exceed $2 billion annually (Oxmaint, 2026). Of the approximately 26 million aircraft parts installed in U.S. civil aviation each year, around 2% — some 520,000 components — are flagged as potentially counterfeit (Oxmaint, 2026). These numbers reflect a systemic vulnerability, one rooted in fragmented supply chains, inadequate documentation controls, and inconsistent distributor oversight.
AS9120 exists to close those gaps. For aerospace distributors, achieving AS9120 certification is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate supply chain integrity, satisfy regulatory requirements, and earn the confidence of major manufacturers and MRO facilities.
What Is AS9120 and Who Does It Apply To?
AS9120 is an international quality management system (QMS) standard developed specifically for organizations that procure, stock, and redistribute aerospace parts — rather than manufacture them. This includes stock distributors, brokers, and organizations that split bulk materials and redistribute them in smaller quantities to customers in the aerospace and defense sectors.
The standard builds on the foundations of ISO 9001, incorporating additional requirements that address the unique risks present in aerospace parts distribution. AS9120 is maintained by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) and is widely recognized by major aerospace manufacturers and regulatory authorities, including the FAA and EASA.
The critical distinction between AS9120 and AS9100 — the standard for manufacturers — is scope. AS9100 governs the design and production of aerospace products. AS9120 governs the distribution process: the handling, storage, documentation, and delivery of parts that pass through the supply chain between the manufacturer and the end user. Distributors represent a high-risk link in that chain, and AS9120 establishes the controls needed to protect it.
Why Does Counterfeit Parts Fraud Remain a Persistent Problem?
Understanding why counterfeit parts enter the supply chain reveals why structured oversight like AS9120 is essential.
The AOG Technics case, which came to light in June 2023, illustrated the scale of the vulnerability. AOG Technics, a small UK-based broker with no mandatory certification, acquired older engine components and supplied them with forged documentation — including fabricated EASA Form 1 airworthiness releases — representing the parts as new or reconditioned. CFM International subsequently identified 145 engines across the global fleet fitted with parts linked to the broker (Reuters, 2023). The fraud was detected not by a systematic traceability program, but by a technician at a Portuguese MRO provider who noticed discrepancies upon inspection.
The AOG Technics scandal also exposed a specific regulatory gap: at the time, aerospace parts distributors were not subject to the same mandatory certification requirements as other actors in the supply chain. Parts changed hands without the independent quality oversight that AS9120 provides.
Several structural factors compound the problem. According to Oxmaint (2026), 73% of counterfeit part seizures involve forged or altered paper certificates that passed initial visual inspection — meaning human review alone is insufficient. An additional 61% of suspect unapproved part incidents originate at second or third-tier suppliers, beyond the visibility of most quality systems focused exclusively on primary suppliers.
The financial cost of inadequate controls is equally significant. Discovering a counterfeit part at the point of installation costs 4.8 times more than identifying it at receiving — factoring in work order rework, aircraft-on-ground (AOG) exposure, regulatory reporting obligations, and fleet-wide audit requirements (Oxmaint, 2026).
How Does AS9120 Address Traceability in the Aerospace Supply Chain?
AS9120 establishes four interconnected layers of control that, together, create a verifiable chain of custody for every part a distributor handles.
Mandatory Documentation and Record Control
AS9120 requires distributors to maintain complete documentation for every product, including Certificates of Conformance (CofC) from the original manufacturer, material certifications, test reports, purchase orders, and invoices. These records must be retained for a defined period and made available to customers and regulatory authorities on request. The goal is straightforward: the history of any part must be fully reconstructable at any point in its lifecycle.
Unique Product Identification and Segregation
Every part or lot handled by an AS9120-certified distributor must carry a unique identifier — part number, serial number, or lot number — that is preserved throughout all handling and storage activities. Conforming and non-conforming products must be clearly segregated, as must parts with different modification or revision statuses. This prevents misidentification and ensures that the physical part and its documentation remain matched throughout the distribution process.
Controlled Management of Non-Conforming Products
When a part is identified as non-conforming, AS9120 requires immediate segregation and a formal disposition process. The distributor must determine whether the part is to be returned to the supplier, reworked where permissible, or scrapped — and every action must be documented. This prevents non-conforming parts from re-entering the supply stream through oversight or operational pressure.
Counterfeit Parts Prevention Programs
AS9120 mandates that distributors implement a dedicated counterfeit parts prevention program. This includes procuring parts only from approved or reputable sources, conducting incoming inspections and authentication checks on received products, and establishing a formal process for reporting suspected counterfeit parts to customers and relevant industry bodies. The requirement is not advisory — it is a compliance obligation that must be demonstrated during certification audits.
What Are the Broader Benefits of AS9120 Certification for Distributors?
The value of AS9120 certification extends well beyond audit compliance.
Regulatory alignment. AS9120 certification helps distributors meet the requirements of the FAA, EASA, and other regulatory authorities. Maintaining a transparent, traceable supply chain reduces exposure to product liability, recall costs, and regulatory penalties.
Market access. Compliance with AS9120 is a prerequisite for doing business with many major aerospace manufacturers, prime contractors, and government agencies. For distributors seeking to expand into new markets or secure larger contracts, certification provides a demonstrable, internationally recognized quality credential.
Customer confidence. Aerospace manufacturers and MRO facilities that source parts from AS9120-certified distributors can rely on the authenticity and documentation integrity of received products. This confidence is the foundation of stable, long-term commercial relationships in a sector where trust is non-negotiable.
Operational efficiency. Robust traceability systems reduce the time and cost associated with quality investigations, recalls, and supplier disputes. When part histories are fully documented and immediately accessible, the average fleet recall query time — which can take 14 days using manual paper-based records (Oxmaint, 2026) — is dramatically reduced.
Strengthening the Supply Chain Starts with the Distributor
Counterfeit parts and documentation fraud are not problems the aerospace industry can solve through vigilance alone. The AOG Technics case demonstrated that without structured, independently verified quality systems, fraudulent parts can reach operating aircraft — even when some level of scrutiny is applied.
AS9120 provides the framework that individual vigilance cannot. By mandating comprehensive traceability, documented counterfeit prevention programs, and independent certification audits, AS9120 shifts distributor oversight from a best-practice aspiration to a verifiable compliance requirement.
For distributors working toward AS9120 certification — or organizations looking to assess their current quality management systems — expert guidance can significantly streamline the process. A certified partner can help design and implement a QMS that meets the standard's requirements and positions your organization for long-term success in the aerospace supply chain.
Take the next step toward achieving AS9120 certification by partnering with a trusted expert—request a quote today or contact us to discuss how we can support your organization's quality management goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AS9120 and AS9100?
AS9100 applies to aerospace manufacturers involved in the design and production of aerospace products. AS9120 applies to stock distributors — organizations that procure, store, and redistribute aerospace parts without manufacturing them. Both standards build on ISO 9001 but are tailored to the distinct risks of their respective roles in the supply chain.
Is AS9120 certification mandatory for aerospace distributors?
AS9120 certification is not a universal legal mandate, but it functions as a de facto requirement in many commercial contexts. Major aerospace manufacturers, prime contractors, and government agencies frequently require AS9120 certification as a condition of supplier approval. Distributors without certification may be excluded from significant portions of the market.
What documentation does AS9120 require distributors to maintain?
AS9120 requires distributors to retain Certificates of Conformance (CofC), material certifications, test reports, purchase orders, and invoices for all products handled. Records must be kept for a defined retention period and made available to customers and regulatory authorities upon request.
How does AS9120 help prevent counterfeit parts from entering the supply chain?
AS9120 mandates a formal counterfeit parts prevention program that requires sourcing from approved suppliers, conducting product authentication checks on incoming components, and establishing a reporting process for suspected counterfeit parts. These requirements create systematic controls that reduce reliance on case-by-case human judgment.
How long does the AS9120 certification process take?
The timeline varies based on the size and complexity of the organization, as well as its existing quality management maturity. Organizations with established ISO 9001 systems typically require less preparation time. Working with an experienced certification body can help identify gaps early and accelerate the path to certification.
