Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **AS9100**?

**AS9100 applies professionally to organizations designing, developing, manufacturing, or servicing aviation, space, and defense products.** Major OEMs and primes require certification as a supplier qualification condition, with visibility via IAQG's OASIS database; it covers manufacturers, material suppliers, design centers, and applies across supply chains, with variants like AS9110 for MRO and AS9120 for distributors.

Does **AS9100** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**Yes, AS9100 requires third-party certification through accredited bodies via a two-stage audit process.** Stage 1 assesses documentation and readiness; Stage 2 verifies implementation and effectiveness, using AS9101 guidance; certification is maintained with annual surveillance audits and recertification every three years.

How often should an assessment for **AS9100** be performed?

**AS9100 requires internal audits at planned intervals per a risk-based program, with management reviews at least annually.** Certification involves annual surveillance audits and full recertification every three years; Clause 9 mandates monitoring, internal audits, and reviews to evaluate performance and drive continual improvement.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **AS9100**?

**Non-compliance with AS9100 risks certification suspension, loss of supplier approval, and exclusion from aerospace contracts.** Audits identify nonconformities requiring corrective actions within 60-90 days; persistent issues lead to major findings, market access denial via OASIS, and potential safety incidents or contractual penalties from OEMs.

Can **AS9100** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, AS9100D aligns with ISO 9001:2015's Annex SL 10-clause structure, enabling mapping and integration with other management systems.** Its process-based QMS (Clauses 4-10) supports combined audits, with shared elements like risk-based thinking (Clause 6.1) and performance evaluation (Clause 9) facilitating compatibility without clause conflicts.

What is the first step to begin implementing **AS9100**?

**The first step to implement AS9100 is conducting a gap analysis against AS9100D clauses and ISO 9001:2015 requirements.** Assemble a cross-functional team to map current processes, identify gaps in aerospace additions like product safety and configuration management, and produce a prioritized remediation plan with scope definition per Clause 4.3.

What is the primary objective of **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) establishes a graded cybersecurity protection system for all network operators in China to prevent harm to national security, social order, and public interests.** It classifies systems into five levels based on impact severity from compromise, mandating commensurate technical, management, physical, and personnel controls per GB/T 22239-2020 and related standards. Objectives include consistent nationwide baselines, law enforcement oversight, and integration with the Cybersecurity Law.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**All network operators in mainland China must comply with MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme), including domestic firms, foreign-invested enterprises, and multinationals with local systems.** This covers operators of IT networks, cloud services, IoT, big data, and industrial controls, per Article 21 of the Cybersecurity Law. Critical sectors like finance, energy, and telecom often classify at Level 3+.

Does **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) mandates external security reviews by licensed Chinese firms for Level 2+ systems, targeting a minimum score of 75/100.** PSB approval follows submission of audit results, documentation, and evidence. Level 3+ requires periodic re-evaluations (annual for Level 3).

How often should an assessment for **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** be performed?

**MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) assessments are required biennially for Level 2, annually for Level 3, semi-annually for Level 4, and as mandated for Level 5.** Re-evaluations trigger on major changes like architecture shifts or cloud migrations; all levels demand ongoing self-inspections.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**Non-compliance with MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) incurs fines up to 100,000 yuan, operational suspensions, and business license denial.** PSBs enforce via inspections; severe cases link to data breach penalties exceeding RMB 200 million, as in financial sector actions.

Can **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) control domains align with ISO 27001 Annex A and NIST CSF categories.** Organizational, physical, and technical controls map directly; organizations use Statements of Applicability for gap analysis, though MLPS adds prescriptive grading and PSB oversight.

What is the first step to begin implementing **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**The first step for MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) implementation is conducting a provisional self-assessment to classify systems into Levels 1-5 based on impact to national security and public interests.** Inventory assets, document rationale per GB/T 22240-2020, then file with local PSB within 30 days for Level 2+.

AS9100 vs MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Q: What is the primary objective of **AS9100**?

**AS9100's primary objective is to establish a quality management system (QMS) for aviation, space, and defense organizations that ensures product safety, configuration integrity, and supply chain reliability.** It builds on ISO 9001:2015 with over 100 aerospace-specific requirements, including operational risk management (Clause 8.1.1), configuration management (8.1.2), product safety (8.1.3), and counterfeit parts prevention (8.1.4), to prevent catastrophic failures in high-consequence environments.

Standards Comparison

AS9100

Mandatory

2016

Aerospace quality management system extending ISO 9001

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Mandatory

2019

China's mandatory graded cybersecurity protection framework

Quick Verdict

AS9100 ensures aerospace quality and safety via certification for global suppliers, while MLPS 2.0 mandates graded cybersecurity for China's networks with PSB enforcement. Companies adopt AS9100 for market access; MLPS for legal compliance.

Quality Management

AS9100

AS9100D:2016 Quality Management Systems - Requirements

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Explicit product safety controls across lifecycle
Counterfeit parts prevention and detection processes
Configuration management for design integrity
Operational risk management in Clause 8.1.1
Enhanced supplier controls and traceability

Cybersecurity

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Multi-Level Protection Scheme 2.0 (MLPS 2.0)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Five-level impact-based system classification
Mandatory PSB registration and audits for Level 2+
Technical controls for cloud, IoT, big data
Governance with role separation and training
Law enforcement oversight and periodic re-evaluations

Detailed Analysis

A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

AS9100 Details

What It Is

AS9100D:2016 is the international certification standard for quality management systems (QMS) in aviation, space, and defense. It extends ISO 9001:2015 with over 100 aerospace-specific requirements, focusing on safety-critical processes via a process-based, risk-oriented approach.

Key Components

**Clause 8 additionsconfiguration management (8.1.2), product safety (8.1.3), counterfeit prevention (8.1.4), operational risk (8.1.1).
10-clause Annex SL structure with PDCA cycle.
Enhanced supplier controls, human factors, traceability.
Third-party certification via IAQG-accredited audits.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets OEM/contractual mandates for market access.
Reduces defects, improves delivery, cuts costs.
Mitigates safety risks, enhances supply chain integrity.
Builds stakeholder trust via OASIS visibility.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-18 months).
Applies to manufacturers, designers, MROs globally.
Stage 1/2 certification, annual surveillance.

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) Details

What It Is

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme 2.0) is China's legally mandated cybersecurity regulation under the 2017 Cybersecurity Law. It classifies information systems into five protection levels based on potential harm to national security, social order, and public interests, requiring graded technical, organizational, and governance controls.

Key Components

Core domains: physical security, network protection, data security, access control, monitoring, and governance.
Standards like GB/T 22239-2019, GB/T 25070-2019 define controls; extended for cloud, IoT, big data.
Five levels with increasing rigor; Levels 2+ need third-party audits scoring ≥75/100.
Compliance via PSB registration and periodic re-evaluations.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory for all China network operators to avoid fines, suspensions.
Enhances resilience, supports market access, aligns with data laws.
Builds regulator trust, reduces enforcement risks.

Implementation Overview

Phased: classify systems, gap analysis, remediate, audit, file with PSBs.
Applies to all sizes in China; higher levels for critical sectors.
Involves external audits, ongoing supervision.

Key Differences

Aspect	AS9100	MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)
Scope	Aerospace QMS with safety, configuration, counterfeit controls	Graded cybersecurity for all networks, cloud, IoT, data protection
Industry	Aviation, space, defense globally	All network operators in China, mandatory
Nature	Voluntary certification standard via third-party audits	Mandatory regulation enforced by public security bureaus
Testing	Stage 1/2 audits, annual surveillance, recertification every 3 years	Third-party assessments for Level 2+, annual re-evaluations Level 3+
Penalties	Loss of certification, market access denial	Fines, operational suspension, law enforcement actions