Introduction

In the world of aerospace manufacturing, quality management is of utmost importance. One of the critical standards that organizations in this industry must adhere to is AS9100. This international quality management standard is specifically designed for the aerospace industry and aims to ensure that organizations consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

One of the crucial aspects of AS9100 is clause 8.6, which deals with the release of products and services. This blog post will provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing AS9100 8.6 in your organization, ensuring that you consistently release high-quality products and services that meet the required standards.

Understanding AS9100 8.6

AS9100 8.6 pertains to the processes and procedures necessary to ensure that products and services meet specified requirements before being released to customers. This clause covers four main areas:

1. Planning
2. Verification
3. Release
4. Post-delivery activities

Planning

The first step in releasing products and services is planning. This involves establishing the criteria for product release, ensuring that the necessary resources are available, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.

Establishing release criteria is essential as it sets the standards that products and services must meet before they can be delivered to customers. These criteria should be based on customer requirements, regulatory standards, and organizational goals.

Ensuring resources are available means having the necessary personnel, equipment, tools, and facilities in place to support the release process. This includes making sure that sufficient inspection and testing resources are available to verify product conformity.

Coordination with internal and external stakeholders is vital to ensure that all relevant parties are aware of their responsibilities in the release process and are working together efficiently.

Verification

Before products and services can be released, they must be verified to ensure they meet the established release criteria. Verification involves inspection and testing, ensuring conformity with requirements, maintaining traceability and identification, and documenting the process.

Inspection and testing are critical components of verification, as they ensure that products and services meet the specified requirements. This may involve visual inspections, functional tests, or other methods to confirm that the product meets the release criteria.

Ensuring conformity with requirements means verifying that the product or service meets all relevant specifications, standards, and regulatory requirements. This may involve reviewing documentation, conducting audits, or other activities to ensure compliance.

Traceability and identification are crucial aspects of verification, as they help maintain a record of the product’s history and prevent counterfeit or non-conforming products from being released. This may involve maintaining unique identifiers for products, such as serial numbers or batch numbers.

Documentation and recordkeeping are vital to provide evidence that products and services have been verified and meet the release criteria. This may include inspection reports, test results, or other records that demonstrate compliance.

Release

Once a product or service has been verified and deemed to meet the release criteria, it can be authorized for release. Authorization involves obtaining approval from the appropriate personnel within the organization, such as quality managers or department heads.

Communication with customers and suppliers is essential during the release process to ensure that they are aware of the product’s status and any relevant information. This may involve providing shipping notifications, test reports, or other documentation as required.

Post-delivery Activities

After products and services have been released, organizations must continue to monitor their performance and gather feedback from customers. This allows them to identify any issues or areas for improvement and take corrective action when necessary.

Handling customer complaints is an essential aspect of post-delivery activities, as it allows organizations to address any issues that may have occurred during the release process or in the use of the product. Complaints should be investigated thoroughly, with corrective actions taken as required.

Continual improvement is a crucial aspect of AS9100 8.6, and organizations should use feedback and monitoring data to identify opportunities for improvement in their release processes.

Implementing AS9100 8.6 in Your Organization

Implementing AS9100 8.6 in your organization involves developing a release process, training and competency development, and continual improvement and monitoring.

Developing a Release Process

Creating a robust release process requires mapping out the steps involved, identifying the roles and responsibilities of those involved, and establishing procedures and controls to ensure that the process is followed consistently.

Process maps can help visualize the release process and identify any gaps or areas for improvement. These maps should outline each step in the process, from planning through to post-delivery activities.

Roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined for all personnel involved in the release process, ensuring that everyone is aware of their duties and can work together effectively.

Procedures and controls should be put in place to ensure that the release process is followed consistently, and products and services meet the established criteria before being released.

Training and Competency Development

Ensuring that personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively carry out their roles in the release process is vital. This may involve developing training programs, providing on-the-job training, or offering external courses to enhance competency.

Regular assessments should be conducted to ensure that personnel are competent in their roles and that training programs are effective in developing the necessary skills and knowledge.

Continual Improvement and Monitoring

Organizations should regularly review their release processes to identify opportunities for improvement and implement changes as required. Monitoring the effectiveness of these changes can help ensure that the process continues to meet the needs of the organization and its customers.

Conclusion

Effective release of products and services is critical in ensuring customer satisfaction and compliance with AS9100 standards. By understanding and implementing AS9100 8.6 within your organization, you can demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement and providing high-quality products and services to your customers.