ISO 9001 certification approved for the AEDC Test Operations and Sustainment contractor

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  Personnel with the AEDC Test Operations and Sustainment, or TOS, contractor at Arnold Air Force Base are credited with accomplishing ISO 9001 certification.

The contractor, National Aerospace Solutions, LLC, was certified ISO 9001 compliant after an audit performed by independent registrar Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance, or LRQA, May 16-18.

The auditors who conducted the review engaged personnel to ensure that employees know how to execute the work in accordance with approved procedures and work instructions. The TOS personnel were able to effectively indicate their knowledge of process requirements.

The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001 provides a standard set of requirements for companies and organizations who want to ensure that their products and services consistently meet customer’s requirements.

“ISO 9001 certification demonstrates that NAS's Quality Management System complies with the contract's Project Work Scope and the requirements of the ISO 9001:2008 Standard,” said Anita Hinshaw, AEDC quality specialist at Arnold. “It communicates to our current and potential future test customers at Arnold that NAS, as the TOS contractor, is committed to quality.

“Certification upholds that NAS has a disciplined work force that uses effective work processes to efficiently execute work. Additionally it emphasizes that NAS is committed to customer satisfaction. Achieving this milestone sets the ground work to successfully complete AEDC's mission and align with AEDC's strategic goals and future vision.”

LRQA conducted a comprehensive audit focusing on contractor operating departments such as Quality, Acquisitions, Test Operations and Maintenance, Management and other key processes.

The ISO 9001:2008 requirements promote reduced costs by minimizing waste and errors and increasing productivity. Some benefits for implementing standards also include enhanced customer satisfaction and environmental benefits.

ISO 9001:2008 is implemented by more than one million companies and organizations in more than 170 countries.