Standards Comparison

    ISO 37301

    Voluntary
    2021

    International certifiable standard for compliance management systems

    VS

    AS9120B

    Mandatory
    2016

    Aerospace QMS standard for distributors of parts.

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 37301 establishes certifiable compliance management systems for all organizations, emphasizing risk-based compliance culture. AS9120B delivers quality management for aerospace distributors, focusing on traceability and counterfeit prevention. Companies adopt them for certification, risk reduction, and supply chain credibility.

    Compliance Management

    ISO 37301

    ISO 37301:2021 Compliance management systems requirements

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

    Key Features

    • Certifiable CMS requirements replacing guidance-only ISO 19600
    • High-Level Structure for IMS integration with ISO 9001/27001
    • Risk-based compliance obligations assessment and controls
    • Leadership commitment and organizational culture emphasis
    • Confidential whistleblowing with anti-retaliation protections
    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 traceability from receipt to split delivery
    • Risk-based external provider evaluation and controls
    • Configuration management via sales order records
    • Preservation controls for storage and handling

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 37301 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 37301:2021 is a certifiable international standard specifying requirements with guidance for Compliance Management Systems (CMS). It provides a systematic, risk-based approach to identify obligations, manage risks, and foster integrity across organizations of all sizes and sectors, using the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and High-Level Structure (HLS).

    Key Components

    • Core clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
    • Emphasizes leadership commitment, risk assessment, whistleblowing, competence, monitoring, audits, and continual improvement.
    • Built on HLS for integration with ISO 9001/14001/27001; supports companion standards like ISO 37302/37303.
    • Certifiable via accredited bodies like ANAB.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Drives regulatory compliance, reduces fines/reputational risks, enhances stakeholder trust, supports ESG/SDGs. Provides certification for competitive edge, investor confidence, and integrated risk management.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased approach: gap analysis, obligation register, controls/training, audits/certification. Applicable universally; scalable for SMEs/enterprises. Typical 12-18 months; involves resources, cultural change, third-party audits.

    AS9120B Details

    What It Is

    AS9120B is the IAQG quality management system standard for aviation, space, and defense distributors. It augments ISO 9001:2015's high-level structure with distributor-specific requirements. Primary purpose: ensure traceability, prevent counterfeits, and maintain product conformity without altering characteristics. Adopts risk-based thinking and PDCA approach.

    Key Components

    • Over 100 aerospace additions to ISO 9001 clauses 4-10.
    • Pillars: context/leadership, planning/support, operations (traceability, counterfeit prevention, external providers), evaluation, improvement.
    • Built on 10-clause HLS; certification via accredited bodies, OASIS listing.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Commercial necessity for OEM/Tier-1 supply chains.
    • Mitigates risks like traceability loss, counterfeits.
    • Builds customer trust, enables market access (2,442 global certifications).
    • Drives efficiency, reduces nonconformities.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-12 months).
    • Applies to stockists/distributors globally; multi-site scalable.
    • Stage 1/2 certification audits required.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 37301
    Compliance management systems (CMS) requirements
    AS9120B
    Aerospace distributor quality management systems

    Industry

    ISO 37301
    All sectors and organization sizes globally
    AS9120B
    Aerospace distribution supply chain specifically

    Nature

    ISO 37301
    Voluntary certifiable international standard
    AS9120B
    Voluntary certifiable quality standard

    Testing

    ISO 37301
    Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits
    AS9120B
    Internal audits, process audits, surveillance audits

    Penalties

    ISO 37301
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties
    AS9120B
    Loss of certification, market exclusion

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 37301 and AS9120B

    ISO 37301 FAQ

    AS9120B 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