What is the primary objective of AS9120B?

AS9120B's primary objective is to establish a quality management system (QMS) for organizations that procure, store, split, and resell aerospace parts without altering product characteristics. Built on ISO 9001:2015's 10-clause structure, it adds over 100 aerospace-specific requirements targeting distribution risks like loss of traceability, counterfeit/suspected unapproved parts, documentation errors, and external provider weaknesses. Key focuses include chain-of-custody integrity via identification/traceability (Clause 8.5.2), counterfeit prevention (Clauses 8.1.4/8.1.5), configuration management (8.1.2), and robust supplier controls (8.4), ensuring product safety and conformity in aviation, space, and defense supply chains.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with AS9120B?

AS9120B applies to stockist distributors, pass-through distributors, and organizations performing batch splitting of aerospace parts without modifying characteristics. It targets aviation, space, and defense (ASD) entities procuring, storing, and reselling parts, excluding those altering conformity (e.g., machining) or performing maintenance/repair. Certification is not legally mandatory but is a commercial requirement from OEMs and primes for supply chain approval, with over 2,600 global certifications (over 900 in U.S., as of early 2026) enabling OASIS listing and market access.

Does AS9120B require an external audit or third-party certification?

Yes, AS9120B requires third-party certification via accredited registrars following a two-stage audit process per AS9101. Stage 1 reviews documentation and scope; Stage 2 verifies implementation and effectiveness on-site. Certification, valid for three years with annual surveillance audits and recertification, is managed through IAQG's OASIS database for visibility, ensuring QMS conformity to Clauses 4-10.

How often should an assessment for AS9120B be performed?

AS9120B requires internal audits at planned intervals to cover all processes annually, plus management reviews at defined intervals aligning with performance evaluation (Clause 9). Audits ensure QMS conformity and effectiveness (9.2), with schedules based on risk, prior findings, and changes. External surveillance audits occur yearly post-certification, with full recertification every three years.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with AS9120B?

Non-compliance with AS9120B risks contract disqualification, supply chain exclusion, and operational liabilities from nonconformities. Lacking certification prevents OEM/primes approval and OASIS listing; audit failures yield major nonconformities in traceability, counterfeit controls, or supplier evaluation, triggering corrective actions, surveillance holds, or certificate revocation. Safety incidents from poor chain-of-custody can lead to recalls, legal penalties, and reputational damage.

Can AS9120B be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, AS9120B aligns directly with ISO 9001:2015's high-level structure, enabling seamless mapping of its 10 clauses. Aerospace additions (e.g., counterfeit prevention, traceability) build on ISO baseline without exclusions, facilitating integrated QMS for organizations pursuing multi-standard certification, though distributor-specific controls remain unique.

What is the first step to begin implementing AS9120B?

The first step is conducting a formal gap analysis against AS9120B clauses using a tailored checklist to map current processes. Form a cross-functional team to assess Clauses 4-10, justify scope/not applicable determinations (e.g., 8.3 design), identify risks (e.g., supplier controls), and prioritize remediation, producing a backlog for phased rollout.

What is the primary objective of ISO 56002?

ISO 56002 provides guidance for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an innovation management system (IMS). The standard reframes innovation as a managed capability for value realization through a High-Level Structure (HLS) framework across Clauses 4–10, aligned with the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. It emphasizes interconnected processes from opportunity identification to commercialization, without prescribing specific tools or methods, enabling adaptability across organization sizes, sectors, and innovation types (product, service, process, model, method; incremental to radical).

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with ISO 56002?

No organization is legally required to comply with ISO 56002, as it is a voluntary guidance standard. It is professionally applicable to all established organizations regardless of size, sector, or type seeking to build systematic innovation capabilities, including executives, innovation leaders, and management system professionals. Start-ups and temporary organizations may apply elements selectively to enhance governance and portfolio management.

Does ISO 56002 require an external audit or third-party certification?

ISO 56002 does not require external audits or third-party certification, being explicitly guidance rather than a requirements standard. Organizations may pursue internal audits or external conformity assessments for IMS effectiveness, often using ISO/TR 56004 for evaluation, to demonstrate maturity to stakeholders without formal certification.

How often should an assessment for ISO 56002 be performed?

ISO 56002 assessments should be performed regularly through internal audits and management reviews as part of Clause 9 (Performance evaluation). Frequency depends on organizational context, typically annually or semi-annually, with ongoing monitoring of KPIs, portfolio health, and IMS effectiveness to support continual improvement under Clause 10.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with ISO 56002?

Non-compliance with ISO 56002 carries no legal penalties, as it imposes no mandatory requirements. However, lacking an IMS risks resource waste on "zombie projects," poor portfolio decisions, innovation theater, strategic obsolescence, and reduced competitiveness, as evidenced by stalled initiatives and misallocated resources in assessments.

Can ISO 56002 be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, ISO 56002 maps seamlessly to other frameworks sharing the High-Level Structure (HLS) and PDCA cycle. Its Clauses 4–10 enable integration with management systems for quality, information security, or sustainability, reducing duplication in leadership reviews, audits, documentation, and resource allocation while enhancing organization-wide governance.

What is the first step to begin implementing ISO 56002?

The first step to implement ISO 56002 is building awareness and performing a gap analysis against Clauses 4–10. Educate leadership and stakeholders on IMS benefits, assess current practices via tools like maturity diagnostics, and define context, scope, and strategic intent to prioritize tailored adoption.

Standards Comparison

AS9120B vs ISO 56002

AS9120B

Mandatory

2016

Aerospace QMS standard for distributors and stockists

ISO 56002

Voluntary

2019

International guidance for innovation management systems

Quick Verdict

AS9120B ensures quality in aerospace distribution via rigorous traceability and audits for supply chain approval. ISO 56002 guides innovation systems for value creation across industries. Distributors adopt AS9120B for market access; others use ISO 56002 for strategic capability.

Quality Management

AS9120B

AS9120B:2016 Quality Management Systems for Distributors

Cost

€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Prevents counterfeit and suspected unapproved parts
Ensures traceability for split lots and inventory
Mandates approved external provider controls
Implements configuration management in distribution
Requires product safety and ethics awareness

Innovation Management

ISO 56002

ISO 56002:2019 Innovation management system guidance

Cost

€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

PDCA cycle aligned management system structure
Top management leadership commitment requirements
Portfolio governance and uncertainty management
Performance evaluation with KPIs and audits
Integration with HLS/HS ISO standards

Detailed Analysis

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

AS9120B Details

What It Is

AS9120B:2016 is a certification standard for quality management systems (QMS) tailored to aerospace distributors that procure, store, split, and resell parts without alteration. Built on ISO 9001:2015's high-level structure, it adds over 100 distributor-specific requirements using a risk-based thinking approach to address supply chain vulnerabilities.

Key Components

Core clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
Pillars: traceability, counterfeit prevention, external provider controls, configuration management, preservation.
Over 100 aerospace additions beyond ISO 9001.
Certification via IAQG-accredited bodies with OASIS registration.

Why Organizations Use It

Enables market access to OEMs and primes.
Mitigates risks like traceability loss and counterfeits.
Builds customer trust through auditable chain-of-custody.
Drives efficiency, reduces nonconformities, enhances competitiveness.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-12 months).
Applies to aviation/space/defense distributors globally.
Requires internal audits, management reviews, Stage 1/2 certification.

ISO 56002 Details

What It Is

ISO 56002:2019 is an international guidance standard titled Innovation management — Innovation management system — Guidance. It provides a framework for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and improve an Innovation Management System (IMS). The primary purpose is to enable systematic value creation through innovation, applicable to all organization types, sizes, and sectors. It follows a PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle and High-Level Structure (HLS) for integration with other ISO standards.

Key Components

Seven core clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
Eight principles: value realization, future-focused leadership, strategic direction, culture, portfolio thinking, uncertainty management, learning, stakeholder engagement.
Non-prescriptive; no fixed controls, emphasizes tailored processes.
Conformity via self-assessment or third-party audits; not formally certifiable like requirements standards.

Why Organizations Use It

Drives strategic innovation governance and portfolio discipline.
Reduces 'innovation theater' and zombie projects.
Enhances competitiveness, risk management, stakeholder trust.
Integrates with ISO 9001, 27001 for efficiency.
Voluntary, but boosts credibility for partnerships, investors.

Implementation Overview

Phased: awareness, gap analysis, design, pilot, scale, sustain.
Involves leadership policy, processes, KPIs, audits.
Suited for established organizations; scalable for SMEs.
No mandatory certification; optional external assurance.

Key Differences

Aspect	AS9120B	ISO 56002
Scope	Aerospace distribution QMS, traceability, counterfeit prevention	Generic innovation management system guidance, value creation
Industry	Aerospace distributors globally, all sizes	All industries/sectors worldwide, established organizations
Nature	Certification quality standard based on ISO 9001	Voluntary guidance, non-certifiable framework
Testing	IAQG audits, internal audits, certification surveillance	Internal audits, management reviews, maturity assessments
Penalties	Loss of certification, market exclusion	No formal penalties, internal performance risks

Scope

AS9120B

Aerospace distribution QMS, traceability, counterfeit prevention

ISO 56002

Generic innovation management system guidance, value creation

Industry

AS9120B

Aerospace distributors globally, all sizes

ISO 56002

All industries/sectors worldwide, established organizations

Nature

AS9120B

Certification quality standard based on ISO 9001

ISO 56002

Voluntary guidance, non-certifiable framework

Testing

AS9120B

IAQG audits, internal audits, certification surveillance

ISO 56002

Internal audits, management reviews, maturity assessments

Penalties

AS9120B

Loss of certification, market exclusion

ISO 56002

No formal penalties, internal performance risks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about AS9120B and ISO 56002

AS9120B FAQ

ISO 56002 FAQ

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What It Is

Key Components

Core clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.

Pillars: traceability, counterfeit prevention, external provider controls, configuration management, preservation.

Over 100 aerospace additions beyond ISO 9001.

Certification via IAQG-accredited bodies with OASIS registration.

What It Is

Key Components

Seven core clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.

Eight principles: value realization, future-focused leadership, strategic direction, culture, portfolio thinking, uncertainty management, learning, stakeholder engagement.

Non-prescriptive; no fixed controls, emphasizes tailored processes.

Conformity via self-assessment or third-party audits; not formally certifiable like requirements standards.

Aspect

AS9120B

ISO 56002

Scope

Aerospace distribution QMS, traceability, counterfeit prevention

Generic innovation management system guidance, value creation

Industry

Aerospace distributors globally, all sizes

All industries/sectors worldwide, established organizations

Nature

Certification quality standard based on ISO 9001

Voluntary guidance, non-certifiable framework

Testing

IAQG audits, internal audits, certification surveillance

Internal audits, management reviews, maturity assessments

Penalties

Loss of certification, market exclusion

No formal penalties, internal performance risks