AS9100D company outsourcing items listed on the scope

[Dirty Boxer]

Our recent AS9100D surveillance audit, the new auditor dropped a stink bomb as a side whisper OFI. Our scope currently reads "Contract machining, assembly, welding - prototype to production." He said if we subcontract anything listed in our scope (i.e. machining or welding) it has to be subcontracted to another AS9100 certified company.

Is this correct that we can only subcontract things listed in our scope to another AS9100 company? or should we find another auditor?

 

[Sidney Vianna]

Is this correct that we can only subcontract things listed in our scope to another AS9100 company?

No, there is no such requirement. However, besides flowing down all of the applicable requirements onto the suppliers, how do you ensure the processes being outsourced are being appropriately controlled? For example, welding is a process that typically requires validation; how do you ensure that is happening? What kind of supplier QMS requirements do you have?

The decision to outsource a process does not relieve the responsibility for product, process and system conformance to customer and regulatory requirements

 

[Dirty Boxer]

We flow down all customer contract requirements, including QMS. For special processes such as welding all WPS and PQR's are submitted and inspection by a CWI is required.

The issue for us is we do some welding inhouse but have local weld shops that are ISO9001 that can handle the size and volume, and it just makes sense to subcontract. We also specialize in large part machining, and some orders contain smaller parts that make sense to subcontract to local ISO9001 machine shops.

 

[Cari Spears]

We do not require AS9100 registration for all subcontractors. If they are AS9100 registered, we keep that on record in case a customer requires we flow down AS9100. Our customers often require that special process subcontractors are Nadcap, ISO17025 or AS9100, so we flow that down.

There is no requirement in AS9100 that requires you only use AS9100 subcontractors.

 

[Mikishots]

Our recent AS9100D surveillance audit, the new auditor dropped a stink bomb as a side whisper OFI. Our scope currently reads "Contract machining, assembly, welding - prototype to production." He said if we subcontract anything listed in our scope (i.e. machining or welding) it has to be subcontracted to another AS9100 certified company.

Is this correct that we can only subcontract things listed in our scope to another AS9100 company? or should we find another auditor?

It does not need to be another company with their QMS certified to AS9100D - this cannot be mandated. He's mistaken. You'll still want to ensure that the subcontractor can meet the requirements set, because you're ultimately accountable for conformity.

 

[Jen Kirley]

Not being a requirement is why it's a whispered OFI. That's what people do when they have a wish they can't enforce.

 

[Big Jim]

Not being a requirement is why it's a whispered OFI. That's what people do when they have a wish they can't enforce.

Agreed, but I would go further that it would take an idiot auditor to do it.

 

[Jen Kirley]

Agreed, but I would go further that it would take an idiot auditor to do it.

Yes, and/or an auditor pressured by the AB to use the OFI to try and influence behavior they want. I ran across this with IATF. It was among the biggest reasons I was happy to walk away from that standard.