scope:

General

Introduction

This publication introduces the AQAP 2000 series. It provides guidance on the interpretation and use of the requirements found in the AQAP 2000 series. The AQAP 2000 series is structured to be the NATO requirements for an Integrated Systems Approach to Quality through the Life Cycle, to be selected and applied for all nations and contractual relationships, and to match tailoring processes embodied in modern standards.

AQAP 2000 series structure

The AQAP 2000 series of contractual AQAPs is structured as a series of stand alone publications. Some of which subsume pre-selections of ISO 9001:2000 chapter 7. NATO has made this pre-selections after careful deliberation.

The structure allows the most appropriate publication to be selected and invoked in a contract, thus allowing the Acquirer and the Supplier to target resources efficiently thereby enhancing value for money. The relevant publication of the AQAP 2000 series can be invoked in contracts during any of the stages of a systems life cycle (See Annex A.). The publications of the AQAP 2000 series will allow for the continuous application of a quality management process to the products and all life cycle processes during the stages of life cycle covered by the contract.

Structure of the AQAP numbering:

First digit: Indicates part of AQAP 2000 series

Second digit: Indicates purpose: 0 = guidance

1 = NATO Quality requirements for Hardware, Materiel and related processes

2 = NATO Quality requirements for software

Future possible placeholders:

3 = NATO Quality requirements for Systems

X = Evolution

Third and fourth digits: Indicates numbering of Publication

AQAP 2000: The NATO Policy on an Integrated Systems Approach to Quality Through the Life Cycle

AQAP 2009: NATO Guidance on the use of the AQAP 2000 series

AQAP 2050: NATO Project Assessment Methodology

AQAP 2070: NATO Mutual Government Quality Assurance (GQA) process

AQAP 2131: NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Final Inspection

AQAP 2130: NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Inspection and Test

AQAP 2120: NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Production

AQAP 2110: NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Design, Development and Production

AQAP 2105: NATO Requirements for Deliverable Quality Plans

Scope of the AQAP 2000 series.

The AQAP 2000 series contains Policy, Guidance and Contractual publications. The NATO contractual Quality Assurance requirements, subsume ISO 9001:2000. ISO 9001:2000 itself uses the new concept in Quality Management standards of permissible exclusions. This approach has given rise to an escalating scale of NATO requirements published in a series of publications.

The principle of escalation means that in low risk products few quality assurance requirements will be imposed, while for higher risk products increased quality assurance will be imposed. This basis will be fo und in NATO's policy publication, AQAP 2000, on an Integrated Systems Approach to Quality through the Life Cycle.

AQAP 2000 Policy on an Integrated Systems Approach to Quality through the Life Cycle (guidance type): This policy provides the framework for an integrated system approach to achieve quality in products and services throughout the life cycle. For further details, see Annex 1.

AQAP 2009 NATO Guidance on the use of AQAP 2000 series (guidance type): This publication provides guidance on the structure, interpretation of the NATO additional requirements and the use of the AQAP 2000 series.

AQAP 2131 NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Final Inspection (contractual type): The purpose of AQAP 2131 is to give the GQAR and/or Acquirer the right of access to the Supplier and that the Supplier's final inspection provides objective evidence that the product conforms with contract requirements. This publication should be made a requirement of the contract when conformance with the requirements can be demonstrated satisfactorily on receipt of the final product.

AQAP 2130 NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Inspection and Test (contractual type):

This publication defines the requirements for the Supplier's Quality Management System and associated requirements for minimum Configuration Management. A system needs to be established, documented, applied, maintained, assessed and improved, and/or evaluated, in accordance with requirements contained in the publication.

This publication is used when the design related to the product is established and conformance with requirements can be demonstrated solely on the basis of inspection, during the manufacturing and processing of materials, parts, components, sub-assemblies and the final product, as appropriate.

AQAP 2120 NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Production (contractual type):

This publication defines the requirements for the Supplier's Quality Management System and associated requirements for Configuration Management capable of producing objective evidence that processes and product conforms to contract requirements whether manufactured or processed by the Supplier or Subsuppliers. This publication should be made a requirement of the contract when the design related to the product is established. Usually the complexity of the product requires comprehensive quality control and the need for servicing may arise. Life, reliability and other quality characteristics can only be ensured by the Supplier, throughout the manufacturing or processing phases, by use of materials and parts of proven quality and by means of detailed work instructions, process control and procedures whose purpose is to permit the earliest possible corrective action.

AQAP 2110 NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Design, Development and Production (contractual type):

This publication defines the requirements for the Supplier's Quality Management System and associated requirements for Configuration Management when design activities are included in the contract. This publication should be made a requirement of the contract when requirements are specified in terms of functional and technical requirements and the Supplier is, therefore, responsible for design, development and production.

The method for selecting the appropriate AQAP is shown (schematic) in figure 2.