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AQAP 2110 Certification – NATO Quality Assurance for Defense Suppliers

AQAP 2110 certification is an important standard for organizations operating in the defense sector that need to meet NATO’s strict quality and reliability requirements. This sector imposes elevated demands in areas such as risk management, traceability and process control, partly due to the critical nature of the applications and the international cooperation between defense organizations. Kiwa supports organizations with expertise in ISO 9001 and AQAP 2110 and provides guidance throughout the entire certification process.

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With AQAP 2110 certification, organizations demonstrate that their quality management system complies not only with ISO 9001, but also with additional, sector specific NATO requirements. In many cases, this is a prerequisite for participating in tenders and contracts within the defense supply chain. AQAP 2110 certification helps organizations structurally ensure quality and reliability in their products and services and strengthens their position as a supplier in a complex and highly regulated market.

Who is AQAP 2110 for?

AQAP 2110 certification is intended for organizations involved in the design, development and production of defense-related products and services. This includes manufacturers, assemblers, engineering firms, IT and cybersecurity providers, logistics companies and other suppliers to the defense and aerospace industries who wish to participate in NATO or a Ministry of Defense procurement processes.

What is AQAP 2110?

AQAP 2110 is a NATO standard specifying quality assurance requirements for suppliers of defense products and services. Certification demonstrates that an organization’s quality management system meets both ISO 9001 and additional AQAP 2110 requirements, such as risk management, traceability, quality planning and configuration management. Kiwa’s service includes a comprehensive audit, gap analysis and support throughout the certification process, ensuring full compliance with NATO’s expectations for quality and reliability.

Benefits of the service

Enables participation in NATO and Dutch Ministry of Defense tenders

Demonstrates commitment to internationally recognized quality standards

Enhances traceability, risk management and process control

Increases competitiveness in the defense supply chain

Provides assurance to clients and partners regarding product and service quality

Supports continuous improvement and compliance with evolving defense sector requirements

Why choose Kiwa?

Kiwa is a trusted, independent certification body with extensive experience in quality management and defense sector standards. Kiwa’s auditors are knowledgeable in both ISO 9001 and AQAP 2110 requirements, providing clear guidance and support throughout the certification process. Clients benefit from Kiwa’s global recognition, impartiality and commitment to helping organizations achieve and maintain compliance with NATO quality assurance standards.

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Steps in the process

    Service validation

    Process start with accreditation and country-specific requirements verification

    Initial assessment

    Review of existing quality management system and identification of gaps with AQAP 2110 requirements

    Preparation

    Support in implementing additional processes for risk management, traceability and configuration management.

    Audit

    Comprehensive audit by Kiwa to verify compliance with AQAP 2110 and ISO 9001

    Corrective actions

    Address any non-conformities identified during the audit

    Certification decision

    Issuance of AQAP 2110 certificate upon successful completion of the audit

    Surveillance audits

    Regular follow-up audits to ensure ongoing compliance

Applicable norms or regulations

  • AQAP 2110: NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Design, Development and Production
  • ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems

Frequently asked questions

What is AQAP 2110 certification?

AQAP 2110 certification verifies that an organization’s quality management system meets NATO’s requirements for defense suppliers, including additional controls beyond ISO 9001.

Who needs AQAP 2110 certification?

Any company supplying products or services to the defense sector, especially those involved in NATO or Dutch Ministry of Defense contracts, may require AQAP 2110 certification.

Can AQAP 2110 be certified separately from ISO 9001?

No, AQAP 2110 certification requires an existing ISO 9001 certification or simultaneous certification to both standards.

What are the main requirements of AQAP 2110?

Key requirements include risk management, traceability, quality planning, configuration management and compliance with NATO’s quality assurance framework.

How long does the certification of AQAP 2110 process take?

The process typically includes preparation, audit, corrective actions and certification decision phases. The timeline depends on the organization’s readiness and complexity.

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