posted on 12.11.14

If you are not aware, 2015 spells big changes for the ISO standards. In reading comments from numerous sources, what members have been hearing from the AS9100 affiliates (IAQG, AAQG) is that if ISO makes the changes that have been presented, they will disconnect the AS9100 system from ISO9001 and keep the AS on its current track.

We have heard from auditors that they may refuse to audit the new ISO because it will be so far removed from AS9100. They have said that eventually they will become separate audits and if members want to certify to both ISO and AS, they will have to schedule separate audits. The auditors have also commented that the new version of ISO will cause that standard to become watered down so that in a few years it will be useless to most manufacturers.

MTI members that have a registered Quality Management Systems (QMS), in any form, should contact their registrar directly about what is on the horizon and ask that they be kept apprised of upcoming changes.  If you do not have a registered QMS, it is important for you to watch industry publications for information that may affect your quality systems in the future.

There are still many steps that must take place for passage of the new standards, but there is no time like the present to become informed on what changes you will need to make to comply.

Many MTI members are small to medium size shops that struggled mightily with the expense and process of ISO registration. If the end result of the revised ISO standard is that these small companies with limited internal expertise are forced to pursue more robust registrations, it will be paramount to stay informed so you can adequately prepare for compliance and ensure that cost does not become overwhelming.

There are several references online that have been written about the pending changes to come.

CLICK HERE to read article from Quality Digest.

Update provided by MTI.