Every aspect of aerospace industrial activity is affected by standards. It would be impossible for the industry to operate without them.

The aerospace industry demands quality at every stage. It is underpinned by strict requirements for safety and reliability. The complex technologies and systems necessary for aerospace are often developed through collaborative relationships in this highly connected sector. Given the global nature of the industry, there are well-established links between continental aviation bodies and agencies.

Perhaps not surprisingly, in such a safety and quality-critical sector, standards are deeply embedded in aerospace manufacturing and supply chain partnerships. They provide crucial benefits to organizations in the sector that adopt them; both competitively and with regards to growth and cost efficiencies as we shall go on to explore.

Achieving aerospace supply chain confidence

The first major benefit to any aerospace business of adopting standards is that they help compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.

The aerospace supply chain relies on standards to function. Standards are the closest thing to a guarantee of quality that supply chain partners can give and receive. Even the smallest component will be produced to specific standards, and manufacturers are audited by supply chain customers on an ongoing basis, through routine site visits and production data interrogation, to ensure that these standards are maintained.

For organizations working with supply chain partners, the common use of agreed standards is essential. It’s the fundamental basis for consistent quality and means every business all understand exactly what is expected when undertaking supplier audit visits.

BSI can help with your supply chain intelligence through standards, including valuable information for companies to help anticipate, quickly respond to, and avoid supply chain disruptions.

The implementation of risk management standards, such as the BS ISO 31000 can be used throughout the life of your Aerospace organization and can be applied to any activity, including decision-making at all supply chain levels.

Using quality standards in your organization’s processes, such as the AS 9100 series, will enable you to maintain and improve product safety levels and make international trade significantly more effective. Strict compliance also helps you to avoid costly product or component recalls if certain requirements are not met.

Continual improvement and certification maintenance are critical for an industry that demands the best in quality and safety.

Collaborative relationships in the aerospace industry

Collaborative working is essential in the modern aerospace industry. Using industry-wide quality standards allows businesses to make efficiency gains and eases communication with partners. For example, where there is a need to develop or adopt complex solutions through its supply chain, working together to optimally manage cost and risks associated with delivery and transition into operation.

Implementing standards such as BS EN ISO 9001 Quality management system, BS EN ISO 27001 Information security management system, and BS EN ISO 45001 Occupational health and safety management system across your organization will drive quality, efficiency and ensure compliance with key regulations. They will also aid communication with your industry partners and different aviation bodies.

Standards benefit businesses by helping them to manage key collaborative relationships whether that’s for a project with a single entity, or for multiple partnerships across complex operations. It provides an important framework to plan and embed collaborative best practices. Better collaboration means key industry players can more easily share their knowledge and insights to overcome challenges. This is critical in an industry with such complex and highly technical systems.

Supporting the adoption of emerging aerospace technologies

With technology within the industry advancing at a rapid pace, never has the role of standards been so vital. Standards drive organizations to be resilient and adapt in order to stand the test of time. Standards organizations have a significant part to play in helping aerospace businesses keep abreast of technological innovations, as well as the timely development and provision of best practices and standards in several major areas, including:

• The interoperability of machines and data – establishing the kind of information to be recorded and in which format

• Improved use of data and the adoption of data-centric business models – enabling more informed engineering and strategic decision-making

• Design in a connected environment – more collaborative models of design

• IP governance and security - making decisions using others’ data, and ensuring data ownership is clear

• Assurance for digital models and digitally manufactured product Today, BSI lead the way in exploring best practice for Smart Cities, The Internet of Things, Unmanned aircraft vehicles, and digital manufacturing - enabling your aerospace organization to be better equipped when facing the challenges of tomorrow.

Today, BSI lead the way in exploring best practice for Smart Cities, The Internet of Things, Unmanned aircraft vehicles, and digital manufacturing - enabling your aerospace organization to be better equipped when facing the challenges of tomorrow.

Experience the benefits of standards today. Add all these key aerospace standards to your collection.

Discover BSI Knowledge

Want to access and manage the standards you need to support your aerospace business - all in one place? With a BSI Knowledge subscription, you will have the flexibility and visibility to manage the essential standards you need to work confidently and optimize your supply chain. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to our GBM30 Aircraft & Aerospace engineering module and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more.