What is the primary objective of **EPA**?

**EPA standards protect human health and the environment through enforceable requirements under statutes like the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).** Codified in **40 CFR**, they establish numeric limits (e.g., NAAQS under CAA), technology-based controls (e.g., effluent guidelines, MACT standards), permitting (NPDES, Title V), monitoring, and reporting to prevent pollution across air, water, and waste media.

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

**Entities discharging pollutants, emitting air contaminants, or managing hazardous waste must comply with applicable EPA standards.** This includes point source dischargers under NPDES permits (40 CFR Parts 122-125), major stationary sources under Title V (≥10 tpy single HAP or ≥25 tpy combined), hazardous waste generators/TSDFs under RCRA (e.g., LQGs with ≥1,000 kg/month), and facilities exceeding applicability thresholds like RCRA Subpart CC (≥500 ppmw VOC).

Oes **EPA** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**No, EPA standards do not mandate external audits or third-party certification.** Compliance is demonstrated through self-monitoring, recordkeeping (e.g., 3-year retention), and reporting (DMRs, semiannual reports); EPA verifies via inspections using protocols like the NPDES Compliance Inspection Manual.

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

**Assessments should align with permit schedules, such as daily/weekly monitoring under RCRA Subparts AA/BB/CC and annual Title V compliance certifications.** Routine internal audits are recommended quarterly, with comprehensive reviews tied to permit renewals (typically 5 years for NPDES/Title V).

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

**Non-compliance triggers civil penalties (strict liability, up to economic benefit recovery), injunctive relief, and criminal sanctions for knowing violations.** Examples include Hino Motors' $1.6B CAA settlement for emissions fraud; enforcement uses ECHO/ICIS data for prioritization.

An **EPA** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**No, these FAQs address EPA standards independently as U.S.-specific requirements under 40 CFR.** Mapping is outside scope per independent content directive.

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

**Conduct a baseline compliance audit using EPA protocols (e.g., RCRA TSDF checklist) to map obligations, permits, and gaps.** Prioritize high-risk areas like labeling, DMRs, and RCRA accumulation limits (90 days for LQGs).

What is the primary objective of **AS9110C**?

**AS9110C's primary objective is to establish a quality management system (QMS) for aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations to ensure consistent conformity of products and services to customer and regulatory requirements while enhancing customer satisfaction.** It builds on ISO 9001:2015's High Level Structure with aerospace-specific controls for configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, human factors, traceability, and continuing airworthiness, embedding risk-based thinking (RBT) via Clauses 6.1 and 8.1.1 to operationalize PDCA cycles and demonstrable evidence of maintenance process effectiveness.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **AS9110C**?

**AS9110C applies to MRO organizations providing maintenance, repair, overhaul, or continuing airworthiness services for commercial, private, and military aircraft.** Target entities include independent repair stations, airline maintenance departments, component overhaul facilities, and OEMs with autonomous MRO operations. Compliance is contractually mandated by OEMs, airlines, and regulators (e.g., FAA/EASA Part-145 alignments) for OASIS listing, supplier qualification, and market access; it is not legally binding but essential where customer or procurement requirements specify certification.

Does **AS9110C** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**Yes, AS9110C requires third-party certification through accredited registrars following a two-stage external audit process.** Stage 1 reviews QMS documentation and readiness; Stage 2 verifies effective implementation via on-site evidence of operational processes. Prerequisites include at least three months of QMS operation, full internal audits, and management review with performance data; certification is listed on IAQG OASIS, with annual surveillance and triennial recertification.

How often should an assessment for **AS9110C** be performed?

**Internal audits for AS9110C must be performed at planned intervals based on process risk, with critical maintenance processes (e.g., configuration control, release-to-service) audited more frequently.** Annual full cycles are typical, using tools like Turtle diagrams and PEAR forms; management reviews occur regularly (e.g., quarterly or semi-annually) with 3+ months of data. External surveillance audits happen annually post-certification, with recertification every three years.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **AS9110C**?

**Non-compliance with AS9110C risks regulatory sanctions, contract loss, and operational shutdowns.** Impacts include FAA/EASA Part-145 certificate suspension, fines up to $100k/day, liquidated damages from airlines, litigation for airworthiness failures, and exclusion from OEM contracts/OASIS. Internally, it leads to rework, AOG events, and reputational damage; auditors cite weak leadership evidence, unexercised QMS, or counterfeit controls as common certification failures.

An **AS9110C** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, AS9110C directly maps to ISO 9001:2015 via its High Level Structure (Annex SL), enabling integrated QMS implementation.** IAQG correlation matrices align clauses to regulatory frameworks like EASA/FAA Part-145, facilitating dual compliance without duplication. Organizations with mature ISO 9001 leverage existing processes but must add AS9110C-specific controls (e.g., Clause 8.1 maintenance planning).

What is the first step to begin implementing **AS9110C**?

**The first step is a disciplined gap analysis using IAQG clause-mapping checklists against current processes and regulatory requirements.** Secure executive sponsorship via a signed Statement of Work (SOW), define QMS scope (Clause 4), identify interested parties, and produce a prioritized gap register weighted by safety/regulatory impact. This precedes phased planning, process mapping, and internal audits.

EPA vs AS9110C

Standards Comparison

EPA

Mandatory

1970

Federal regulations for air, water, waste environmental protection

AS9110C

Mandatory

2016

Aerospace standard for MRO quality management systems

Quick Verdict

EPA enforces mandatory environmental regulations for all industries via monitoring and penalties, ensuring compliance with air, water, waste laws. AS9110C is a voluntary QMS certification for aerospace MROs, providing structured quality controls for airworthiness and customer satisfaction.

Air Quality

EPA

U.S. EPA Standards (CAA, CWA, RCRA - 40 CFR)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

18-24 months

Key Features

Multi-layered systems: statutes, 40 CFR, permits, monitoring, enforcement
Evidence-driven compliance via sampling, QA/QC, reporting
Technology-based and health-based performance standards
Federal-state implementation with national baselines
Dynamic rulemaking through Federal Register dockets

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 maintenance planning
Counterfeit parts prevention and detection controls
Strict configuration management and traceability
Human factors integration in competence and audits
Alignment with FAA/EASA regulatory requirements

Detailed Analysis

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

EPA Details

What It Is

EPA standards are legally binding regulations implementing major U.S. environmental statutes like the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), codified in 40 CFR. They form a regulatory framework for protecting air, water, and land through performance requirements, permits, and enforcement. The approach combines technology-based controls (e.g., MACT, effluent guidelines) with health-based criteria (e.g., NAAQS, WQS) in evidence-driven systems.

Key Components

Numeric limits, thresholds, and tiered standards (BPT/BAT/NSPS).
Permitting (NPDES, Title V, RCRA), monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting.
Air emission controls (Subparts AA/BB/CC), waste management.
Enforcement pathways with civil/criminal penalties; no formal certification, but strict compliance via audits/inspections.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory for regulated entities to avoid penalties, shutdowns, liabilities. Drives risk management, operational efficiency, ESG alignment; builds stakeholder trust amid dynamic rulemakings.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, EMS integration, controls deployment, training, audits. Applies to industrial facilities nationwide; federal-state variability requires layered compliance; ongoing via e-reporting (ECHO, ICIS).

AS9110C Details

What It Is

AS9110C (AS9110:2016 Rev C) is a certification standard for quality management systems (QMS) in aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations. It builds on ISO 9001:2015 with aerospace-specific requirements, focusing on safety-critical processes like configuration management and counterfeit prevention. Its risk-based thinking (RBT) approach integrates PDCA cycles across Clauses 4-10.

Key Components

Core pillars: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
Aviation additions: product safety, human factors, traceability, supplier controls.
Built on ISO High Level Structure (HLS); no fixed control count, emphasizes documented evidence.
Certification via accredited registrars with Stage 1/2 audits.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets airline/OEM contracts and regulatory alignment (FAA/EASA Part-145).
Mitigates safety risks, reduces rework/AOG events.
Enhances market access, operational efficiency (5-12% cost savings).
Builds stakeholder trust via OASIS listing.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, process design, pilot, rollout, audits.
Applies to MROs globally; 6-12 months typical.
Requires internal audits, 3+ months operational data before certification.

Key Differences

Aspect	EPA	AS9110C
Scope	Environmental protection across air, water, waste statutes	Aerospace MRO quality management and airworthiness
Industry	All industries, multi-state U.S. operators	Aviation maintenance, repair, overhaul organizations
Nature	Mandatory federal regulations with enforcement	Voluntary QMS certification standard
Testing	Monitoring, sampling, inspections, DMR reporting	Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits
Penalties	Civil/criminal fines, injunctions, facility shutdowns	Loss of certification, market exclusion

Scope

EPA

Environmental protection across air, water, waste statutes

AS9110C

Aerospace MRO quality management and airworthiness

Industry

EPA

All industries, multi-state U.S. operators

AS9110C

Aviation maintenance, repair, overhaul organizations

Nature

EPA

Mandatory federal regulations with enforcement

AS9110C

Voluntary QMS certification standard

Testing

EPA

Monitoring, sampling, inspections, DMR reporting

AS9110C

Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits

Penalties

EPA

Civil/criminal fines, injunctions, facility shutdowns

AS9110C

Loss of certification, market exclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about EPA and AS9110C

EPA FAQ

AS9110C FAQ

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EPA

AS9110C

Quick Verdict

EPA

Key Features

AS9110C

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

EPA Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

AS9110C Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

EPA FAQ

What is the primary objective of EPA?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with EPA?

Oes EPA require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for EPA be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with EPA?

An EPA be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing EPA?

AS9110C FAQ

What is the primary objective of AS9110C?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with AS9110C?

Does AS9110C require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for AS9110C be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with AS9110C?

An AS9110C be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing AS9110C?

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Practical Implementation Blueprint for Regulation S-K Item 106: Cybersecurity Governance and Risk Management Disclosures in 10-Ks

SEC Cybersecurity Rules Materiality Determination Framework: Step-by-Step Guide with Checklists and Real-World Examples

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Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

PIPL vs C-TPAT

CCPA vs AS9100

GDPR vs FISMA