Standards Comparison

    CSA

    Voluntary
    1919

    Canadian consensus standards for OHS management systems

    VS

    AS9120B

    Mandatory
    2016

    Aerospace QMS standard for distributors of unaltered parts.

    Quick Verdict

    CSA provides OHS management and risk controls for safety across industries, while AS9120B delivers QMS certification for aerospace distributors ensuring traceability and counterfeit prevention. Organizations adopt CSA for compliance and safety, AS9120B for market access.

    Product Safety

    CSA

    CSA Z1000 Occupational Health and Safety Management

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

    Key Features

    • Consensus-based development accredited by Standards Council of Canada
    • PDCA OHS management system framework (CSA Z1000)
    • Hazard classification across six categories (CSA Z1002)
    • Risk prioritization by severity, likelihood, exposure
    • Hierarchy of controls prioritizing elimination, engineering
    Quality Management

    AS9120B

    AS9120B Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Distributors

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

    Key Features

    • Counterfeit and suspected unapproved parts prevention
    • Traceability and chain-of-custody controls for split lots
    • Risk-based external provider evaluation and flowdown
    • Configuration management via sales order records
    • Product preservation and shelf-life management

    Detailed Analysis

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

    CSA Details

    What It Is

    CSA standards refer to the family of consensus-based standards developed by CSA Group (formerly Canadian Standards Association), particularly in Health, Environment, and Safety (HES). They are voluntary technical documents for occupational health and safety management (OHSMS) like CSA Z1000 and hazard/risk processes in CSA Z1002, using PDCA methodology aligned with ISO 45001.

    Key Components

    • Leadership/policy, planning, implementation, checking, management review (Z1000 PDCA structure)
    • Hazard identification, risk assessment, hierarchy of controls (Z1002 with six hazard categories: biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychosocial, safety)
    • Worker participation, emergency preparedness, incident investigation
    • SCC-accredited development with 60-day public review, 5-year reviews
    • Certification via SCC-accredited bodies

    Why Organizations Use It

    Provides due diligence evidence, reduces liability via regulatory referencing (~65% built-environment standards incorporated), enables compliance monitoring, accelerates policy implementation. Builds trust, supports market access, demonstrates continual improvement for executives/policymakers.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased integration: gap analysis, policy/training, hazard registers, audits/reviews. Applies to all industries/sectors in Canada/internationally; pilots for high-risk areas. Certification optional but recommended for assurance.

    AS9120B Details

    What It Is

    AS9120B is the IAQG quality management system standard for aerospace stockist distributors. It augments ISO 9001:2015's high-level structure with distributor-specific requirements focused on procurement, storage, splitting, and resale of parts without altering characteristics. Its risk-based approach addresses supply chain risks like traceability loss and counterfeits.

    Key Components

    • Over 100 aerospace additions to ISO 9001 clauses 4-10.
    • Core areas: traceability, counterfeit prevention, external provider controls, configuration management, preservation.
    • Built on PDCA cycle; requires documented information, not full procedures.
    • Certification via accredited bodies, OASIS listing.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Commercial prerequisite for OEM/Tier-1 supply chains.
    • Mitigates risks of nonconformities, recalls, legal liabilities.
    • Enhances market access, customer trust, operational efficiency.
    • Builds stakeholder confidence in product safety/authenticity.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-12 months).
    • Applies to aviation/space/defense distributors globally.
    • Involves cross-functional teams, internal audits, management reviews.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    CSA
    OHS management, hazard ID, risk assessment
    AS9120B
    Aerospace distribution QMS, traceability, counterfeit prevention

    Industry

    CSA
    Health, environment, safety across sectors
    AS9120B
    Aerospace parts distributors globally

    Nature

    CSA
    Voluntary consensus standards
    AS9120B
    Certification standard based on ISO 9001

    Testing

    CSA
    Internal audits, management reviews
    AS9120B
    Internal audits, certification body surveillance

    Penalties

    CSA
    Loss of certification, due diligence risks
    AS9120B
    Certification revocation, supply chain exclusion

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about CSA and AS9120B

    CSA FAQ

    AS9120B FAQ

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