Nearly 5 billion global passengers travel via the aviation industry annually, and to maintain quality, safety and performance, the industry collaboratively established the IAQG. This international body is responsible for the establishment of manufacturing standards for high quality products throughout the global aviation industry. Many companies and suppliers within the aviation industry manufacture parts and supplies for the space and defense industries as well. To that end, the IAQG serves the global aviation, space and defense industries.

The IAQG, through three geographic sectors and countless industry volunteers, ensures quality standards, industry oversight, and guidance materials are available and in use throughout the global supply chain. 

The group’s goal is to improve processes employed by the supply chain and consistently deliver high-quality and safe products through industry collaboration and standardization. 

IAQG Certification Scheme

IAQG developed the Industry Controlled Other Party (IAQG Certification Scheme) scheme that targets global harmonization of the Aerospace Quality Management System (AQMS). Through the IAQG Certification Scheme, activities conducted by accredited Certification Bodies (CB) ensure best practices are met via the IAQG Certification Scheme process and maintained the Online Aerospace Supplier Information System® (OASIS) that houses all information related to AQMS certifications, auditors and audit results. Before the IAQG Certification Scheme was established, various quality requirements were dictated by each customer, forcing them to conduct audits themselves.

Thanks to the implementation of IAQG Certification Scheme,  the 9100 series are accepted quality standards, thus reducing audits for EACH customer.  This progression of the industry has eliminated redundant auditing, providing value in time and money to all members, suppliers and the industry at large.

The success of the IAQG Certification Scheme and the IAQG is realized in the more than 18,000 AQMS certifications covering 25,000 sites. Additionally, the IAQG Certification Scheme is recognized by authorities including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) through AMC, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) in Japan, and the Defense Contracting Management Agencies (DCMA) in the USA and Germany.

Standard Development 

The IAQG sets the high quality standards that are used in the aviation, space and defense industries and provides input into quality improvement policies, standards, and practices. Each standard establishes common/shared tools and methods for quality improvement used by the industry’s leading companies, thus receiving mutual support in the implementation of global initiatives. IAQG Certifiable Standards are based on ISO 9001 and while these standards tend to be system-oriented, the IAQG strives to enhance these requirements by incorporating industry-specific elements such as operational risk management, product safety, and data review/testing of raw materials. These additional elements aim to support the connection between certified systems and the certified organization’s responsibility to deliver conforming products.   

As a global organization dedicated to continuous improvement, the IAQG actively updates existing standards and develops new ones to further enhance this connection. While we believe that our ongoing efforts can assist the industry in strengthening the associated requirements, it is ultimately the certified organization’s responsibility to assess its level of risk and determine how to implement requirements to mitigate those risks.

Supplier Forums 

Supplier Forums provide an overview of the key priorities and initiatives taking place within the IAQG.  It is the supplier’s direct link to understand current and future activities and provides opportunities to:

  • learn the latest initiatives in development by IAQG; 
  • discover cost reductions through standardization of quality policies and practices; 
  • network with key personnel from major aviation, space and defense companies;
  • establish a supplier viewpoint to inform IAQG members. 

The true value of the IAQG is quietly achieved through the implementation of standards developed and certifications applied to the manufacturing processes of member companies and the aviation, space and defense industry supply chain.