Cost of Aerospace Component Manufacturing
across the UK

# Aerospace Component Manufacturing Accreditation

The aerospace component manufacturing sector in the UK is governed primarily by quality and safety standards rather than a single trade body. The most relevant accreditation is AS9100 certification, an international standard specifically designed for aerospace, defence and space industries that builds upon ISO 9001 quality management principles. Additionally, many UK aerospace manufacturers operate under approval schemes set by major customers such as Airbus, Boeing, and Rolls-Royce, each with their own supplier qualification requirements. The National Aerospace Standards (NAS) and EN 9100 (the European equivalent to AS9100) are also widely recognised. For defence-related work, companies may require Defence and Security Accreditation Service (DSAS) clearance. Understanding these frameworks is important because they determine whether a component manufacturer can legally supply to major aerospace programmes and whether their processes meet the stringent safety and quality requirements essential in an industry where failures can have catastrophic consequences.

To verify a provider's aerospace credentials, request their current AS9100 or EN 9100 certificate directly from the manufacturer and cross-check the certification body's name against approved auditors registered with recognised scheme administrators. You can also ask for evidence of customer approvals from major aircraft or engine manufacturers, which are typically documented through supplier quality agreements or audit reports. Many aerospace manufacturers maintain a supplier database or approved vendor list that is publicly searchable or accessible on request. It is crucial to verify these credentials because non-compliant suppliers can introduce safety risks, cause programme delays, and expose your business to significant liability. Additionally, accreditation demonstrates that a supplier has undergone independent assessment of their quality systems, traceability procedures, material handling, and documentation practices—elements that cannot be easily assessed without formal audit.

Accredited aerospace component manufacturers typically charge 10 to 25 percent more than non-accredited alternatives, reflecting the costs