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20 July 2026
The manufacture of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA) demands exceptionally high standards. This only becomes even more important when PCBs are used in potentially high-risk environments such as those in the aerospace industry.
Failure here could potentially be catastrophic, not just leading to poor performance in machines or devices but also to the loss of human life. Standards such as AS9100 help EMS providers like us at J-TEQ create robust quality management. Doing so ensures that every PCB leaving our facility meets these high standards and is capable of meeting the challenges of the aerospace sector.
We might not be rocket scientists, but our work is one of the many moving parts behind the scenes that helps them reach outer space.
AS9100 is an international Quality Management System (QMS) standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and supported by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). Prior to its development, most manufacturers adhered to the standards referenced by ISO 9001. However, this did not meet the specific requirements and challenges that arise in the aerospace industry.
AS9100 was therefore developed in response to meet these gaps. The standard is accepted worldwide, though participating countries may use slightly different numbering conventions when referring to it. It is worth noting that AS9110 is not a replacement for ISO 9001, but rather additional requirements on top of those laid out by this standard.
Although AS9100 certification is not universally required by law, it is frequently expected or contractually required within aviation, space, and defence supply chains, including the following organisations:
AS9100 forms a vital part of aviation, space, and defence manufacturing and is often a requirement of supply chain contracts. With the significant levels of risk present in the defence and aerospace industries, it is completely understandable why organisations will only want to work with manufacturers capable of meeting a high delivery performance.
Achieving AS9100 certification allows manufacturers and EMS providers to prove their credentials and that they are capable of meeting the standards expected of them. Quality management system requirements must be stringent to ensure there is a reliable, repeatable performance in electronics manufacturing. No matter what the purpose of the PCB might be, and no matter whether it is a large production run or small, consistent and repeatable processes must be utilised.
AS9100 also provides important standards regarding product safety and the documentation of inspection and testing processes. From component traceability through to final inspection and quality control, all areas of the manufacturing processes will be well-documented to ensure that only PCBs that meet the standards move forward.
When searching for an EMS partner, organisations quite rightly need to be discerning. J-TEQ is committed to continual improvement and to ensuring that we always deliver the best products and results for our customers. Our commitment to product safety and innovation ensures that we always seek out accreditations and important benchmarking standards.
This includes having achieved AS9100 certification, which allows us to serve space and defence organisations with renewed confidence. Download our white paper to learn more about the AS9100 and talk to us about your space EMS needs today.
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