Standards Comparison

    CSA

    Voluntary
    1919

    Consensus standards for OHS management and hazard control

    VS

    AS9110C

    Mandatory
    2016

    International standard for aircraft MRO quality management.

    Quick Verdict

    CSA provides OHS management standards for hazard control across industries, while AS9110C is a certification QMS for aerospace MRO ensuring airworthiness and traceability. Organizations adopt CSA for safety compliance, AS9110C for aviation contracts and regulatory alignment.

    Product Safety

    CSA

    CSA Z1000 Occupational Health and Safety Management

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • SCC-accredited consensus-based development with public review
    • PDCA management system framework for OHS (Z1000)
    • Structured hazard identification and risk assessment (Z1002)
    • Hazard classification across biological to psychosocial categories
    • Hierarchy of controls prioritizing elimination and engineering
    Quality Management

    AS9110C

    AS9110C: Quality Management Systems for Aviation Maintenance

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based thinking embedded in planning and operations
    • Configuration management and part traceability controls
    • Counterfeit and suspect parts prevention program
    • Human factors integration in competence and audits
    • Regulatory alignment with FAA/EASA Part-145 requirements

    Detailed Analysis

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

    CSA Details

    What It Is

    CSA Group standards like CSA Z1000-14 (R2019) and CSA Z1002-12 (R2022) are consensus-based Canadian frameworks for occupational health and safety (OHS). Primarily voluntary, they become mandatory via regulatory incorporation by reference. Z1000 provides a PDCA management system; Z1002 details risk-based hazard identification and control.

    Key Components

    • Leadership commitment, planning, implementation, checking, management review (Z1000 PDCA).
    • Hazard classification: biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychosocial, safety (Z1002).
    • Risk prioritization by severity, likelihood, exposure.
    • Hierarchy of controls (elimination first).
    • Worker participation, audits; SCC-accredited certification available.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Meets OHS legal duties, demonstrates due diligence, reduces incidents/fines. Enables policy efficiency, market access, continual improvement. Builds regulator, worker, stakeholder trust.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, policy development, training, hazard processes, audits. Suits all sizes/industries (manufacturing, construction, energy); Canada-focused with global alignment. Involves internal audits, optional third-party certification.

    AS9110C Details

    What It Is

    AS9110C is the international quality management system (QMS) standard for aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations. It builds on ISO 9001:2015 with aerospace-specific requirements, using a risk-based thinking (RBT) approach and PDCA cycle to ensure safe, compliant maintenance services.

    Key Components

    • Core clauses 4-10 covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
    • Maintenance-focused controls: configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, human factors, traceability, and release-to-service.
    • Built on IAQG's High Level Structure (HLS); voluntary certification via accredited registrars.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets customer/OEM contracts and regulatory alignments (e.g., FAA/EASA Part-145).
    • Mitigates safety risks, reduces rework, improves on-time delivery.
    • Enhances market access, supply-chain credibility, and operational efficiency.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased approach: gap analysis, process design, training, internal audits, certification.
    • Applies to MROs of all sizes in aerospace; requires 3+ months operational data pre-audit. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    CSA
    OHS management, hazard ID, risk assessment across HES
    AS9110C
    Aerospace MRO QMS, maintenance, configuration, airworthiness

    Industry

    CSA
    All industries, Canada-focused, global alignment
    AS9110C
    Aviation maintenance organizations worldwide

    Nature

    CSA
    Voluntary consensus standards, regulatory reference
    AS9110C
    Certification QMS standard based on ISO 9001

    Testing

    CSA
    Internal audits, management reviews, SCC accreditation
    AS9110C
    Internal audits, Stage 1/2 certification audits, surveillance

    Penalties

    CSA
    Fines via regulation reference, due diligence exposure
    AS9110C
    Loss of certification, contract ineligibility, regulatory sanctions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about CSA and AS9110C

    CSA FAQ

    AS9110C FAQ

    You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

    Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

    Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform

    Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.

    100+ Standards & Regulations
    AI-Powered Insights
    Collaborative Assessments
    Actionable Recommendations

    Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages