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

**FERPA's primary objective is to protect the privacy of parents and students by regulating access to and disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) in education records.** Enacted in 1974 as section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g), with regulations at 34 CFR Part 99, it grants rights to inspect records within **45 days** (§99.10), seek amendments for inaccurate or misleading content (§99.20), and control disclosures via written consent unless exceptions apply (§99.30).

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

**FERPA applies to educational agencies or institutions receiving federal funds administered by the Secretary of Education.** This includes public K-12 districts, most postsecondary institutions via student aid like Pell Grants (§99.1(c)), and applies institution-wide to all components (§99.1(d)). Rights holders are parents of students under 18 or in K-12, transferring to **eligible students** (18+ or postsecondary) (§99.5).

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

**No, FERPA does not mandate external audits or third-party certification.** Compliance is demonstrated through internal controls like annual notifications (§99.7), disclosure logs (§99.32), and procedures for access/amendment. The Department of Education's Family Policy Compliance Office investigates complaints but relies on self-reported policies and records (§99.62).

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

**FERPA requires annual notifications of rights to parents/eligible students in attendance (§99.7(a)(1)).** Ongoing assessments align with operational needs: access reviews (e.g., monthly for high-risk roles), disclosure logging continuously (§99.32), and periodic internal audits of records classification, vendor contracts, and training effectiveness. No fixed frequency is prescribed beyond annual notices.

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

**Non-compliance can result in withholding of federal funds, cease-and-desist orders, or termination of funding eligibility (§99.67(a)).** The Office investigates complaints filed within **180 days** (§99.64(c)), may bar violating third parties from PII access for five years (§99.67(c)), and requires corrective actions. No private right of action exists; enforcement is administrative.

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

**FERPA is a U.S.-specific statute with no official mappings to international frameworks provided in its regulations.** Its focus on education records, PII definitions (§99.3), consent exceptions (§99.31), and funding-based enforcement differs from global standards, though operational controls like access logging and vendor governance offer practical alignments.

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

**The first step is to publish an annual notification of FERPA rights to parents/eligible students (§99.7).** This must detail inspection procedures, amendment processes, consent rules, complaint filing, and—if used—criteria for **school officials** and **legitimate educational interests** (§99.7(a)(3)). Distribute via means reasonably likely to inform, including accessible formats.

What is the primary objective of **AS9120B**?

**AS9120B establishes 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 addressing distribution risks like loss of traceability, counterfeit/suspected unapproved parts, documentation errors, and external provider controls to ensure chain-of-custody integrity.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **AS9120B**?

**AS9120B applies to stockist distributors, pass-through distributors, and those performing batch splitting in aviation, space, and defense supply chains.** It targets organizations that purchase, store, and resell parts without modification; certification is not legally mandatory but is a commercial requirement imposed by OEMs and primes for supply chain approval, with ~2,442 global certifications as of May 2023.

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

**AS9120B requires third-party certification through accredited bodies for OASIS listing and market access.** Organizations undergo Stage 1 (documentation review) and Stage 2 (on-site effectiveness audit) per AS9101F, followed by annual surveillance audits and recertification every three years under IAQG oversight.

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.** Monitoring (Clause 9.1), customer satisfaction evaluation, and risk/opportunity effectiveness checks occur continuously, with full internal audit programs scheduled to ensure QMS conformity before external surveillance audits.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **AS9120B**?

**Non-compliance with AS9120B results in audit nonconformities, certification denial/suspension, and exclusion from OEM supply chains.** Major findings in traceability, counterfeit prevention, or supplier controls trigger corrective actions; persistent issues lead to OASIS delisting, contract loss, recalls, and liability for safety incidents.

Can **AS9120B** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**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) integrate with ISO requirements, facilitating gap analysis and dual certification without clause exclusions.

What is the first step to begin implementing **AS9120B**?

**The first step for AS9120B implementation is conducting a gap analysis against its clauses using a certified checklist.** Form a cross-functional team to assess current processes, justify scope/not applicable determinations (e.g., Clause 8.3 design), and prioritize risks in traceability, suppliers, and counterfeit controls.

FERPA vs AS9120B

Standards Comparison

FERPA

Mandatory

1974

U.S. regulation protecting privacy of student education records

AS9120B

Mandatory

2016

Aerospace QMS standard for distributors ensuring traceability.

Quick Verdict

FERPA mandates privacy protections for U.S. student records, enforced via funding loss, while AS9120B is a voluntary quality certification for aerospace distributors ensuring traceability and counterfeit prevention. Schools comply to retain funds; distributors certify for market access.

Student Privacy

FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

Cost

€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Grants rights to inspect, amend education records within 45 days
Requires prior written consent for PII disclosures with exceptions
Expansive PII definition includes linkable indirect identifiers
School official exception for legitimate educational interests
Mandates annual notices and disclosure recordkeeping

Quality Management

AS9120B

AS9120B Quality Management Systems - Requirements

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Prevents counterfeit and suspected unapproved parts
Ensures product traceability and chain-of-custody
Strengthens external provider controls and flowdown
Implements distribution-specific configuration management
Requires risk-based operational planning

Detailed Analysis

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

FERPA Details

What It Is

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. §1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a U.S. federal regulation establishing privacy protections for student education records. It grants rights to parents and eligible students for access, amendment, and control over disclosures of personally identifiable information (PII). Scope covers institutions receiving federal education funds, using a rights-based approach with consent rules and enumerated exceptions.

Key Components

Core rights: inspect/review (45 days), amend inaccurate records, consent to disclosures.
Definitions: broad education records, expansive PII (direct/indirect/linkable).
Exceptions: school officials, health/safety emergencies, directory info.
Obligations: annual notices, disclosure logs, recordkeeping. Compliance enforced via complaints, investigations, funding withholding.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandated for federal fund recipients; mitigates legal risks, reputational harm. Enables safe data sharing, vendor management, analytics. Builds stakeholder trust, supports operational efficiency, innovation in edtech.

Implementation Overview

Phased program: governance, data inventory, policies/training, technical controls (RBAC, encryption), vendor contracts. Applies to K-12/postsecondary receiving funds. No certification; ongoing audits, DOE enforcement.

AS9120B Details

What It Is

AS9120B is the IAQG quality management system standard for aerospace distributors, built on ISO 9001:2015's 10-clause structure. It targets organizations procuring, storing, splitting, and reselling parts without alteration, using a risk-based approach to mitigate supply chain risks like traceability loss and counterfeits.

Key Components

Over 100 aerospace-specific requirements beyond ISO 9001.
Core areas: context analysis, leadership, planning, support, operations (traceability, counterfeit prevention, supplier controls), evaluation, improvement.
Built on PDCA cycle; certification via accredited bodies with OASIS listing.

Why Organizations Use It

Enables market access to OEMs/Tier 1s; commercial prerequisite.
Reduces risks of nonconformities, recalls; builds stakeholder trust.
Drives efficiency, differentiation via rigorous chain-of-custody.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-12 months).
For distributors globally; requires internal audits, management review, certification audits.

Key Differences

Aspect	FERPA	AS9120B
Scope	Student education records privacy and access rights	Aerospace parts distribution quality management
Industry	U.S. education (K-12, postsecondary) institutions	Aerospace distribution (aviation, space, defense)
Nature	Mandatory U.S. federal privacy regulation	Voluntary IAQG quality certification standard
Testing	Complaint-based investigations by Dept. of Education	Third-party certification audits (Stage 1/2)
Penalties	Federal funding withholding, enforcement actions	Loss of certification, market exclusion

Scope

FERPA

Student education records privacy and access rights

AS9120B

Aerospace parts distribution quality management

Industry

FERPA

U.S. education (K-12, postsecondary) institutions

AS9120B

Aerospace distribution (aviation, space, defense)

Nature

FERPA

Mandatory U.S. federal privacy regulation

AS9120B

Voluntary IAQG quality certification standard

Testing

FERPA

Complaint-based investigations by Dept. of Education

AS9120B

Third-party certification audits (Stage 1/2)

Penalties

FERPA

Federal funding withholding, enforcement actions

AS9120B

Loss of certification, market exclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about FERPA and AS9120B

FERPA FAQ

AS9120B FAQ

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FERPA

AS9120B

Quick Verdict

FERPA

Key Features

AS9120B

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

FERPA Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

AS9120B Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

FERPA FAQ

What is the primary objective of FERPA?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with FERPA?

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

How often should an assessment for FERPA be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with FERPA?

Can FERPA be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing FERPA?

AS9120B FAQ

What is the primary objective of AS9120B?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with AS9120B?

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

How often should an assessment for AS9120B be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with AS9120B?

Can AS9120B be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing AS9120B?

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

CMMC Level 3 Implementation Guide: Integrating NIST SP 800-172 Enhanced Controls for APT Defense

HITRUST CSF MyCSF Platform Deep Dive: Automating Evidence Collection for Continuous R2 Renewal in Multi-Regulated Environments 2025

The Service-Oriented SOC: Leveraging Maturity Assessments to Guarantee SLOs and Operational Predictability

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

ENERGY STAR vs ISO 26000

CSL (Cyber Security Law of China) vs ISO 13485

CAA vs AS9100