Not sure if this is the right place for this thread, but I know one of the moderators will move it, if need be.

I am updating my supplier scope, which includes a category if the supplier is certified to a standard of some kind and to which one(s). (i.e. ISO, AS, etc.)

In doing this I received a few responses from suppliers stating, their system is either compliant to Mil-I-42508, ISO or an equivalent. But, not certified to any specific standard and some have said they don't plan on getting certified in the near future.

So my questions are:

1. Is being compliant as opposed to certified acceptable?

2. Is Mil-I-42508, still acceptable even though its obsolete?

3. If they show compliance to my companies requirements is this acceptable?

IMO as long as they can show compliance to my companies requirements its acceptable. But, I just wanted some opinions if any "covers" have experienced this same problem.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Hi Frank, these are good questions.

Indeed there is some discontent with ISO and some companies are opting out of it. Others claim compliance, saying that registration is too costly/whatever.

1. Is that okay? Depends on your needs. Certainly ISO registration does not guarantee a lack of problems. How do your customers feel? Do you need to register with a body such as UL, where you are given less in choices?

2. Is there a replacement for the obsolete Mil-I-42508? If so, what problems would arise from your suppliers not registering or complying with the replacement?

3. Showing compliance to your requirements is the unlimate, isn't it, since registering to this-and-that standard may not guarantee their compliance with your needs. How are your needs different from the standard? How are you prepared to validate your suppliers' performance?

You see, I have more questions than answers, which are basically on the line of "It depends..." Here's how you can proceed:

a. Start with absolute requirements expected of you, such as through regulations and UL demands.

b. Next focus on what is most important to you. Make your list and see how they measure up. Make a matrix if it helps.

c. Be ready to monitor them according to what you decide. How can they show their practices align with your wishes? Many people get a sense of comfort from their suppliers' registrations, and neglect to control their suppliers. Could be a bad idea...

So my questions are:

1. Is being compliant as opposed to certified acceptable?

2. Is Mil-I-42508, still acceptable even though its obsolete?

3. If they show compliance to my companies requirements is this acceptable?You are the customer. They are your suppliers. So, you determine what is acceptable. If you are happy with their performance, you can accept whatever you want.

If you were TS 16949 certified, the answer would be different. But you are ISO 9001 and AS9100B.

Not sure if this is the right place for this thread, but I know one of the moderators will move it, if need be.

I am updating my supplier scope, which includes a category if the supplier is certified to a standard of some kind and to which one(s). (i.e. ISO, AS, etc.)

In doing this I received a few responses from suppliers stating, their system is either compliant to Mil-I-42508, ISO or an equivalent. But, not certified to any specific standard and some have said they don't plan on getting certified in the near future.

So my questions are:

1. Is being compliant as opposed to certified acceptable?

2. Is Mil-I-42508, still acceptable even though its obsolete?

3. If they show compliance to my companies requirements is this acceptable?

IMO as long as they can show compliance to my companies requirements its acceptable. But, I just wanted some opinions if any "covers" have experienced this same problem.

Thanks in advance for your responses.It's your system and your requirements. Unless there is some requirement from one of your customers, you determine how you will control your suppliers. BTW, you didn't state what standard your system registration is.

BTW, you didn't state what standard your system registration is.

Al,

Sidney answered for me in the end of his post, which I'm guessing he looked up in the OASIS data base. Just in case he took a stab in the dark, my comany is ISO 9001 and AS 9100 registered.

Thanks for all the responses, I just wanted confirmation that meeting our company requirements was acceptable and there wasn't an underlined requirement in ISO 9001 or AS 9100.

Al,

Sidney answered for me in the end of his post, which I'm guessing he looked up in the OASIS data base. Just in case he took a stab in the dark, my comany is ISO 9001 and AS 9100 registered.

Thanks for all the responses, I just wanted confirmation that meeting our company requirements was acceptable and there wasn't an underlined requirement in ISO 9001 or AS 9100.Looks like we posted simultaneously. Great minds think alike. Scary, isn't it, Sidney?