AS9100C Upgrade Timing

The IAQG recently released the latest on timing forupgrade well, their management system will already be
upgrading to AS9100C.modified and they will be attempting book their
Their original schedule still remains intact. Keyaccreditation as soon as they have qualified auditors.
milestones for this schedule are:Lets allow just another month to do this. In this scenario
- Release of sanctioned (mandatory) auditor training -it might be the end of August 2010 before AS9100C
End of April 2010upgrade audits can take place.
- Once re-accredited for AS91ooC with trainedObviously there are possible scenarios that might allow
auditors for AS9100C Certification Bodies are free toupgrades to take place sooner. If the auditor training
start updating clients to AS9100C.can be managed in May (and some may be) and the
- Until July 1, 2011 Certification Bodies can audit to eitherCertification Body accreditation audit can take place in
AS9100B or C.June, for instance. However, there is a limited number
- After July1, 2011 all audits must be to the AS9100Cof both training oversight auditors and accreditation
version of the standard.auditors. And whether it is booking a training class or
As mentioned this schedule that was published in 2009and oversight/accreditation audit, flights are preferred
is still approximately accurate. The additionalwith 2-3 weeks notice and these things just take time.
information provided gives specific deadlines toIt is almost certain that Certification Bodies wont be
accreditation agencies, auditor oversight bodies andable to upgrade ALL of their auditors for some time -
training organization oversight bodies. For example itperhaps until after the end of the year. This will have
requires the auditor oversight bodies to come up withan impact on your choice of when you upgrade.
a transition path for their auditor members to upgrade.If your audit (surveillance or reassessment) is after
The auditor training material will be available at the endAugust 2011 (or even by the end of the year) you are
of April and it might take the training organizations sayunlikely to be allowed to upgrade until 2011 (and then
a month to train their trainers, incorporate the materialyou wont have a choice to not upgrade it being after
and get themselves organized to be able to presentJuly 2011).
the courses. These training organizations must then beYou best choice is to contact your Certification Body
formally reviewed by the training oversightand attempt to firm up your upgrade audit date. They
organizations. Perhaps allow another month for this toare unlikely to know until more experience of the
take place. Now auditors can formally access thetraining is gained but your persistence is important.
training courses, pass the exam and submit theirSimilarly you MUST plan your system upgrade. It is
information to be included on the OASIS databaseessential you account for the changes that AS9100D
(recognizing them as fully qualified AS auditors). Thiswill bring (in particular the PEAR effectiveness review
might take another month. Thus it may take until theprocess) and unless you are certain of your upgrade
end of July until auditors are trained and available.timing you might consider adding the AS9100C
Certification Bodies also need to be accredited tochanges without removing AS9100B aspects - yet!
perform AS9100C audits. This will involve themThis will mean you are ready for any date that your
updating their management system and using trainedCertification Body might give you and you will be
auditors. They can then be subject to an accreditationcertain of passing.
audit as the final step. If then had been planning the