Quality Certification Navigator – QMS Gap Analysis

Use this interactive tool to understand the difference between UKAS/IAF-accredited certification, non-accredited ISO 9001 certificates (including “24-hour” schemes) and AS9100. It asks about your sector, customers (including MOD and primes), risk and scope (e.g. design), then gives a structured recommendation and clause applicability hints.

This tool gives a qualitative view of which certification level makes sense (DIY / non-accredited ISO 9001, UKAS/IAF-accredited ISO 9001, or AS9100). Always check the detail against ISO/AS standards, OEM, MOD and contract requirements.
QMS inputs
Step 1
Organisation, Customers & Risk
Tell us how you work so we can suggest a realistic QMS route.
Primary reason for ISO/QMS certification *
If tenders or RFQs mention ISO 9001 or AS9100, choose “Customer / tender requirement”.
Organisation size *
Main sectors you supply *
Regulated and high-risk sectors tend to expect accredited ISO 9001 or AS9100 via an IAF-recognised AB.
Key customer types
Do any contracts explicitly say “UKAS / IAF accredited ISO 9001”?
Look for phrases like “ISO 9001 certified by a UKAS-accredited certification body or internationally accepted equivalent (IAF MLA)”.
Typical risk level of your products / services *
Activities inside your QMS scope *
These answers drive clause applicability guidance – e.g. whether ISO 9001:2015 clause 8.3 (design & development) can be treated as not applicable.
Aerospace / defence specifics
Current certification position
Budget & attitude to certification
Additional notes / context

The logic is rule-based and indicative. Use the output as a structured checklist when deciding between DIY/non-accredited ISO 9001, accredited ISO 9001 or AS9100, and when talking to certification bodies.

QMS guidance
Output
Certification Recommendation & Risk Discussion
Suggested level of certification, pitfalls of non-accredited CBs, and clause applicability.

Recommended certification level

Run the QMS Gap Analysis to see a recommendation.

When you run the analysis, this badge will show whether DIY/non-accredited ISO 9001 might be tolerable, whether ISO 9001 via a UKAS/IAF-accredited CB is strongly indicated, or whether AS9100 is more appropriate.

Why accredited certification (UKAS, ANAB, IAF-recognised) matters in your case

  • Awaiting input – run the QMS Gap Analysis to see why accredited certification is (or is not) important for you.

Risks of non-accredited / “instant” ISO 9001 certification

  • Here we will highlight concrete risks of relying on non-accredited CBs, including “ISO 9001 in 24 hours, no audit” style schemes.
Accredited certification – simplified structure

  Your organisation
        ▲
        │  audited to ISO 9001 / AS9100
        │
  Accredited certification body (CB)
        ▲
        │  assessed to ISO/IEC 17021-1, IAF MDs
        │
  Accreditation body (AB) – e.g. UKAS, ANAB
        ▲
        │  peer evaluated
        │
  IAF MLA – “certified once, accepted everywhere”

Non-accredited CBs sit outside this chain – no AB oversight,
no IAF MLA, often no listing in UKAS CertCheck or IAF CertSearch.

Clause applicability & potential “exclusions” (ISO 9001:2015)

  • Guidance on which clauses are fully applicable and which can be justified as “not applicable” will appear here.

Useful links & references

Discussion notes & next steps

  • When you run the analysis, this will summarise suggested next steps (e.g. move from non-accredited to UKAS-accredited CB, consider AS9100, or formalise a self-declaration).
Use this assistant to support discussions with management, certification bodies and customers. For high-risk or regulated work (aerospace, defence, nuclear, rail, medical, etc.), always confirm requirements such as AS9100, AQAP or Def Stan and the need for accredited certification.