AQAP requirements often call for robust processes, documented evidence, and effective management systems. TÜV NORD supports companies with established auditing and certification services as a foundation for meeting contractual requirements.
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Companies wishing to participate in Bundeswehr, NATO or international defence projects must demonstrate compliance with specific AQAP requirements as part of their contractual obligations. The Allied Quality Assurance Publications (AQAP) supplement established management systems such as ISO 9001 with additional requirements relating to quality planning, risk management, configuration management, traceability and supplier monitoring.
TÜV NORD supports companies with auditing and certification services for established management systems, which can serve as an important foundation for this purpose.
Management system standards that are frequently relevant in the AQAP context include:
Contractual quality requirements are often passed down through several stages of a project. An independent assessment can therefore be beneficial for both the main contractor and the partner companies involved. For companies with relevant project contracts, the assessment provides transparency regarding the status of implementation and helps ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
For start-ups and companies planning to diversify into the security solutions and defense sectors, established management systems provide transparency regarding relevant requirements and support structured preparation for future project and market demands.
TÜV NORD supports companies in the defence industry and those throughout the supply chain with the following assessment and audit services:
A certification of a management system is often a logical first step, serving as the foundation for robust processes, clear responsibilities, and traceable documentation.
Let’s discuss together which management system standards and AQAP requirements are relevant to your project or initiative, and which auditing services are appropriate for it.
AQAP (Allied Quality Assurance Publications) is not a standalone certification in Germany, like ISO 9001, but rather a set of requirements that is usually agreed as part of contractual specifications in Bundeswehr, NATO or international projects. Companies must demonstrate to the client that they meet these requirements. In some other countries, such as France, the Netherlands or Denmark, there are national bodies that offer formal AQAP certification. The relevant defence authority – for example, the BAAINBw in Germany – decides which evidence or certificates are recognised.
ISO 9001 forms the basis for AQAP 2110. Existing management systems compliant with ISO 9001 therefore make it easier to meet the additional AQAP requirements, for example in the areas of risk management, configuration management and traceability.
The relevance of AQAP documents depends on the nature of the project. The following documents are often relevant:
Depending on the project, client and sector, the following standards and requirements may also be relevant:
TÜV NORD CERT supports companies by providing independent audit services. Our auditors carry out audits of management systems, processes and supporting documentation based on normative, contractual and client-specific requirements.
As part of the TÜV NORD GROUP, TÜV NORD CERT provides companies with access to a broad network of technical, standards-based and sector-specific expertise. This is of particular benefit to companies in the security solutions and defence sectors that wish to draw on expertise from a range of specialist disciplines.