AC 00-56: Aerospace Management
What is AC 00-56?
AC 00-56 is an advisory circular (AC) for accrediting civil aircraft parts distributors based on voluntary industry oversight.
Though this AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), strongly endorse participation in a program such as this which helps companies establish the eligibility of parts and products for installation on U.S. type-certificated (TC) products.
AC 00-56 requires that distributors use quality management systems to ensure that parts documentation accurately reflects industry safety requirements and helps installers confirm that the parts are acceptable for installation on certificated products.
This program is firmly established on the concept of voluntary industry oversight using third party certification bodies to review distributor quality systems. The intent of this program is to assist in alleviating the lack of proper documentation and will ultimately improve traceability.In response NQA, USA has established a program using our extensive industry experience and dedicated staff of highly qualified Aerospace Auditors. This program will review your quality system in accordance with the guidance provided by AC 00-56. This review will determine your systems acceptability for ensuring that the parts you provide will satisfy your customer's requirements and that your documentation accurately reflects the criteria identified in your customer's purchase order.
Success will result in certificate issued by NQA, USA attesting to the fact that you have successfully passed an audit of your quality system and that your system satisfies the requirements set forward by FAA AC 00-56.
To maintain this certificate will require periodic surveillance to ensure continued compliance.
Helps you with
- Identifying and recording the qualifications of employees, assuring they are qualified and properly trained
- Providing provisions for removing and segregating nonconforming materials
- Controlled measuring and/or test equipment to include storage, usage, and calibration of such equipment
- Determining a shelf-life control system
- Assuring technical data is current and accessible
- Controlling inspection stamps, including stamp issuance, usage, reissuance, loss of, and accountability
- Ensuring packaging control to protect product against damage and deterioration
- Providing preservation controls
- Establishing accountability in the event of duplicate approval tags or other traceability documents
- Monitoring the effectiveness of the quality system through internal audits
- Determining a recall control system to ensure adequate circulation of recall notification for parts
- Establishing a system for hazmat control and transport that meets 49 CFR requirements.
- Establishing a training program for purchasing and receiving personnel that helps them identify counterfeit and suspected unapproved parts.
Benefits of Aerospace Certification
Global recognition as a reputable supplier
Certification is recognized internationally and accepted throughout industry supply chains, setting industry benchmarks for sourcing suppliers.
Access to large OEM’s
All companies registered to an Aerospace standard are listed in the OASIS database.
Improved stakeholder relationships
Improve the perception of your organization with staff, customers and suppliers.
Customer satisfaction
Deliver products that consistently meet customer requirements and a service that is dependable and can be relied on.
Ability to win more business
Procurement specifications often require certification as a condition to supply, so certification opens doors.
Reduced operating costs
Continual improvement of processes and resulting operational efficiencies mean money saved.
Proven business credentials
Independent verification against a globally recognized industry standard speaks volumes.
Steps to Certification
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Step 1
Complete a Quote Request Form so that we can understand your company and requirements. You can do this by completing either the online quick quote or the online formal quote request form. We will use this information to accurately define your scope of assessment and provide you with a proposal for certification.
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Step 2
Once you’ve agreed your proposal, we will contact you to book your assessment with an NQA Assessor. This assessment consists of two mandatory visits that form the Initial Certification Audit. Please note that you must be able to demonstrate that your management system has been fully operational for a minimum of three months and has been subject to a management review and full cycle of internal audits.
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Step 3
Following a successful two stage audit, a certification decision is made and if positive, then certification to the required standard is issued by NQA. You will receive both a hard and soft copy of the certificate. Certification is valid for three years and is maintained through a programme of annual surveillance audits and a three yearly recertification audit.