AS9100 4.2.3 Control Of Documents - Requirement to retain Obsolete Documents?

I have read some discussion on the topic of obsolete documents.

4.2.3 g) to prevent the unintended use of obsolete documents, and to apply suitable identification to them if they are retained for any purpose.

Currently, my procedure (SOP) discusses the means to prevent and identify these obsolete documents. However, we don't retain obsolete documents, at all.

My question is, Is there a reason/requirement to retain obsolete documents?

I have yet to find a reason (other than people's fear that "I might need that").

I have also yet to find a requirement.

Re: AS9100 4.2.3 Control Of Documents

Check out this thread:

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=33258&highlight=obsolete

If you don't find your answer there, do some searches of this forum:

http://elsmar.com/Forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

Re: AS9100 4.2.3 Control Of Documents

Depending on your business, obsolete specifications come in handy in case a Customer does really want you to process something to an older revision than the current one. Scanning them into a .pdf and putting them in a secure folder electronically is an easy fix for this, if you don't want to keep the paper copy.

Re: AS9100 4.2.3 Control Of Documents

All it takes is one law suit, and you might regret not having them to back up your position.