Quality & Sector QMS
ISO 9001 is the base. Regulated supply chains in automotive, aerospace, medical devices, oil and gas and rail add sector requirements on top of it. We help you choose the right standard, implement it and prepare for certification by an accredited body.
Start from your sector
Most sector standards include ISO 9001 in full, so an existing ISO 9001 system is a strong starting point for any of them.
The quality management standard behind tenders and supplier approvals worldwide, and the base for every sector scheme below.
ISO 9001 → Automotive IATF 16949 IATF 16949:2016Production and service parts suppliers, with OEM customer-specific requirements.
IATF 16949 → Aerospace & defence AS9100 AS9100D · IA9100 comingDesign and production of aviation, space and defence products.
AS9100 → Medical devices ISO 13485 ISO 13485:2016Device manufacturers and suppliers, aligned with EU MDR and the FDA QMSR.
ISO 13485 → Oil & gas ISO 29001 ISO 29001:2020Suppliers of products and services to petroleum and natural gas industries.
ISO 29001 → Rail ISO 22163 ISO 22163:2023 · IRISRolling stock, signalling and rail component suppliers.
ISO 22163 → EU product conformity CE Marking Product legislationTechnical files and notified body readiness for products sold in the EU.
CE Marking →Side by side
| Standard | Typical users | Built on | Who certifies | Typical engagement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | Any organisation | Harmonized structure | Accredited certification body | 3 to 9 months |
| IATF 16949 | Automotive parts and materials suppliers | ISO 9001 + automotive + CSRs | IATF-recognised certification body | 4 to 12 months |
| AS9100 | Aviation, space and defence suppliers | ISO 9001 + aerospace | ICOP-accredited body; listed in OASIS | 4 to 9 months |
| ISO 13485 | Medical device organisations and suppliers | Standalone, regulatory focus | Accredited body or notified body | 6 to 12 months |
| ISO 29001 | Oil and gas suppliers | ISO 9001 + oil and gas | Accredited certification body | 3 to 9 months |
| ISO 22163 | Rail suppliers | ISO 9001 + rail | Approved body under IRIS Certification | 6 to 12 months |
| CE Marking | Manufacturers selling into the EU | EU product legislation | Manufacturer or EU notified body | 1 to 6 months |
One methodology for every quality standard
Delivered by registered lead auditors with hands-on sector experience.
- AssessGap assessment, scope and roadmap
- DesignProcesses, risks and documented information
- ImplementProcesses embedded on the ground
- TrainAwareness to internal auditor competence
- VerifyInternal audit, management review, mock audit
- Certify & sustainCertification audit support, then surveillance
Several standards? Build one system.
Combine your quality standard with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 under one policy, one risk register, one audit programme and one management review.
Quality management training
CQI/IRCA Approved Training Partner. In-house, public, virtual or hybrid.
- ISO 9001: Awareness, Implementer, Internal Auditor and CQI/IRCA Lead Auditor
- ISO 13485, IATF 16949 and ISO 29001 courses
- In-house courses for AS9100 and ISO 22163 teams
Quality standards FAQ
Does AEC issue quality certificates?
No. Certificates are issued by independent certification bodies: accredited bodies for ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and ISO 29001, IATF-recognised bodies for IATF 16949, ICOP-accredited bodies for AS9100, and approved bodies under IRIS Certification for ISO 22163. AEC prepares your organisation for those audits.
Do we need ISO 9001 before a sector standard?
Not as a separate certificate. IATF 16949, AS9100, ISO 29001 and ISO 22163 include ISO 9001 requirements, so you implement one system. An existing ISO 9001 system shortens the work.
Our customers ask for different standards. Can we hold more than one?
Yes. Many organisations hold several, for example ISO 9001 alongside ISO 13485 or AS9100. We design one integrated system so you avoid duplicate documents and audits where the schemes allow it.
What changes with ISO 9001:2026?
ISO 9001:2026 is published with a three-year transition for certified organisations. Sector standards built on ISO 9001, such as AS9100 (becoming IA9100) and IATF 16949, are expected to follow with their own revisions. We plan transitions so you update your system once, not repeatedly.
Not sure which standard fits?
Tell us your sector, customers and sites. We recommend the right standard and send a proposal covering gap assessment, implementation, training and certification support.
Certification decisions are made by independent, accredited certification bodies. AEC prepares organisations for certification and does not guarantee certification outcomes.