U.S . Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular Subject: Voluntary Industry Distributor Accreditation Program Date: 4/26/24 AC No: 00-56B Initiated by: AFS-300 Change: 1
1. PURPOSE OF THIS ADVISORY CIRCULAR (AC). This AC describes a system for accrediting civil aircraft parts distributors based on voluntary industry oversight. The AC also provides information for developing accreditation programs. We, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), strongly endorse participation in such a program to help certificated persons establish the eligibility of parts and products for installation on U.S. type-certificated products. We have revised this AC to meet current changes in regulatory requirements and industry practices since original publication. This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. Any mandatory language used in this AC applies only to those who choose to voluntarily participate in this program; those who do choose to participate must follow the processes and procedures described in this AC in their entirety to be considered compliant with this program. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
2. PRINCIPAL CHANGES. This change removes Table 1, FAA-Acceptable Organizations and Their Quality System Standards. This information is now found on the FAA website at https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/programs/AC00-56.
PAGE CONTROL CHART Remove Pages Dated Insert Pages Dated Pages 1 thru 4 5/27/15 Pages 1 thru 4 4/26/24 Pages 6 thru 10 5/27/15 Pages 6 thru 10 4/26/24 Rober t Ruiz for Lawrence Fields Executive Director, Flight Standards Service
U.
S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular Subject: Voluntary Industry Distributor Accreditation Program Date: 5/27/15 AC No: 00-56B Initiated by: AFS-300 Change:
1. PURPOSE OF THIS ADVISORY CIRCULAR (AC). This AC describes a system for accrediting civil aircraft parts distributors based on voluntary industry oversight. The AC also provides information for developing accreditation programs. We, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), strongly endorse participation in such a program to help certificated persons establish the eligibility of parts and products for installation on U.S. type-certificated products. We have revised this AC to meet current changes in regulatory requirements and industry practices since original publication. This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. Any mandatory language used in this AC applies only to those who choose to voluntarily participate in this program; those who do choose to participate must follow the processes and procedures described in this AC in their entirety to be considered compliant with this program. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
2. WHERE YOU CAN FIND THIS AC. You can find this AC on the FAA’s website at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars and the Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) at https://drs.faa.gov.
3. CANCELLATION. This AC cancels AC 00-56A, Voluntary Industry Distributor Accreditation Program, dated June 13, 2002. Distributors seeking initial or renewal accreditation more than 90 days after the effective date of this AC must comply with AC 00-56B. Distributors already in the database of accredited distributors under AC 00-56A may maintain their accreditation under the AC 00-56A standard until their accreditation expires, is superseded upon renewal, or is cancelled or removed by the distributor’s accreditation organization.
4. RELATED READING MATERIALS.
a. FAA ACs (current editions).
(1) AC 20-62, Eligibility, Quality, and Identification of Aeronautical Replacement Parts, contains guidance and information regarding the eligibility of aeronautical parts and materials for installation on U.S. type-certificated products.
(2) AC 20- 142, Eligibility and Evaluation of U.S. Military Surplus Flight Safety Critical Aircraft Parts, Engines, and Propellers, provides information and guidance for use in evaluating and determining the eligibility of U.S. military surplus flight safety critical aircraft parts (FSCAP), engines, and propellers for installation on FAA type-certificated products.
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(3) AC 21-2, Complying with the Requirements of Importing Countries or Jurisdictions When Exporting U.S. Products, Articles, or Parts, contains the special airworthiness requirements that foreign Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA) have provided to the FAA.
(4) AC 21-29, Detecting and Reporting Suspected Unapproved Parts, contains guidance and information regarding the detection and reporting of suspected unapproved parts.
(5) AC 21-43, Production Under 14 CFR Part 21, Subparts F, G, K, and O, provides information for Production Approval Holders (PAH) under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 21, Certification Procedures for Products and Articles.
(6) AC 21-45, Commercial Parts, explains how you can use the provision in part 21, §§ 21.1(b)(3), 21.8, 21.9(a)(4), and 21.50(c), for commercial parts.
(7) AC 21-46, Technical Standard Order Program, contains guidance and information on the Technical Standard Order (TSO) process for manufacturers producing articles and appliances under a TSO Authorization (TSOA).
(8) AC 21.303-4, Application for Parts Manufacturer Approval Via Tests and Computations or Identicality, contains guidance and information to applicants for Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) of articles.
(9) AC 43-9, Maintenance Records, provides information regarding maintenance record requirements under 14 CFR part 43, §§ 43.9 and 43.11 and part 91, § 91.417, and the related responsibilities of owners, operators, and persons performing maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations on U.S. type-certificated products and their component parts.
b. F AA Orders (current editions).
(1) FAA Order 8110.42, Parts Manufacturer Approval Procedures, contains guidance and information on how to obtain PMA.
(2) F AA Order 8130.21, Procedures for Completion and Use of the Authorized Release Certificate, FAA Form 8130-3, Airworthiness Approval Tag, contains guidance and information on the proper completion of FAA Form 8130-3.
(3) F AA Order 8120.22, Production Approval Procedures, contains guidance and information on how to obtain production approval for products, articles, and parts.
NOTE: Co pies of ACs and FAA orders may also be available through the FAA’s DRS, https://drs.faa.gov/.
5. DEFINITIONS. In this AC, the following definitions apply:
a. Accreditation Organization. An organization that audits the quality system of a distributor to determine if the system conforms to a standard recognized by us. The accreditation organization must meet the rules and requirements established by the quality system standard organization that maintains such a standard.
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b. Distributor. Any person selling or transferring parts for installation in appliances or type-certificated aircraft, aircraft engines, or propellers.
c. Distributor Accreditation. Recognition by an accreditation organization that a distributor’s quality system complies with the requirements of an acceptable quality system standard referenced in paragraph 8 of this AC.
d. Quality System. A network of administrative processes and procedures whose purpose is to protect aircraft parts from damage or degradation, to preserve documentation associated with those parts, and to satisfy customers that purchase or obtain those parts. A distributor’s quality system should ensure that the parts sold by the distributor satisfy the requirements found in Appendix 1 of this AC.
e. Quality System Standards. Criteria developed by various organizations that ensure the distributor’s quality system provides an acceptable level of control as delineated in this AC.
f. Quality System Standard Organization. An organization that has developed a quality system standard which the FAA has reviewed and accepted. You can find a reference to quality system standard organizations and applicable standards in paragraph 8, FAA-Acceptable Quality System Standards and Accreditation Organizations.
g. Self-Evaluation. A process that a distributor applies to the distributor’s quality system to evaluate compliance with the applicable quality system standard, and with the distributor’s quality system.
h. Traceability. Tracking parts, processes, and materials to a source. For an accredited distributor, traceability must meet the minimum standards found in the documentation matrix in Appendix 1.
6. BACKGROUND.
a. Task Force. In 1993, our Associate Administrator for Regulation and Certification (AVR) strongly endorsed voluntary industry oversight of distributors of civil aircraft parts, rather than mandate Federal regulation of those entities. Industry created a task force, comprised of representatives from the FAA Aircraft Maintenance Division (AFS-300); Production and Airworthiness Division (AIR-200); Aerospace Industries Association (AIA); Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA); Air Transport Association of America (ATA); Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA); Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA); Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA); Aviation Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ADMA);
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA); General Aviation Manufacturer’s Association (GAMA); National Air Transportation Association (NATA); National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA); and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW). The task force prepared a draft AC about industry oversight of distributors. In 1996, we published AC 00-56, Voluntary Industry Distributor Accreditation Program, which formally established third-party accreditation of distributors. We developed this program to give aircraft owners and operators a readily available source of materials and parts, where they could determine acceptability without adding economic burden or expending limited FAA resources.
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b. Quality System Standard. Several different quality system standards have been recognized by the FAA as acceptable standards that help to improve aviation safety by providing effective quality management for distributors. A distributor may develop a quality system that meets the requirements of one of these quality system standards (and that meets the requirements of this AC).
c. Quality Auditing. The third-party accreditation program described in this AC uses an independent entity—not the distributor or purchaser—to audit the distributor’s quality system.
This independent entity—called an accreditation organization—may audit a participating distributor’s quality system to assess compliance to the quality system standard and the requirements of this AC.
d. Accredited Distributors. Distributors are an important supply source for air agencies, commercial operators, and private aircraft owners and operators. We do not directly regulate distributors, but we do authorize accreditation organizations to accredit a distributor’s quality system. This accreditation helps industry identify distributors who are known to convey assurances that:
• Parts are of the quality stated;
• Appropriate documentation is on file at the distributor’s business; and
• The distributor can maintain a quality system that is acceptable to the FAA.
e. Sound Safety Practices. In evaluating a potential noncompliance with 14 CFR regulations, it is our policy to consider the use of sound safety practices. We consider obtaining parts through accredited distributors is a sound safety practice. If a certificated customer uses an accredited distributor, and voluntarily reports any known potential violations of 14 CFR rules, we would recognize the fact that the certificate holder obtained the part from an accredited distributor as a mitigating circumstance in any subsequent administrative or enforcement action.
7. QUALITY SYSTEM ELEMENTS.
a. Distributors’ Quality System. Distributors must use quality systems to ensure that parts documentation accurately reflects industry safety requirements. This documentation also helps installers confirm that the parts are acceptable for installation on type-certificated products. An accreditation organization evaluates a distributor’s quality system to ensure that the system satisfies each element of this AC, and also each element of the applicable quality standard. If the system satisfies each of the elements, then it is acceptable to the Administrator. Quality system standards that we have found acceptable for these purposes are referenced in paragraph 8.
b. Minimum Acceptable Criteria. The following elements are minimum acceptable criteria for an accredited distributor’s quality system:
(1) Receiving inspection process that confirms products and articles are accompanied by documentation that shows the prior source of the product or article and satisfies at least one of the “Required on Receipt” requirements listed in Appendix 1, Documentation Matrix.
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(2) A system for training the distributor’s personnel to ensure that the distributor properly executes the quality system, including the elements of the quality system that fall within the trained person’s responsibility and/or job function.
(3) Administrative process that identifies and records the qualifications of employees authorized to make quality determinations, and assures that such employees are qualified and properly trained.
(4) A procedure for removing suspect or nonconforming material that is identified during receiving inspection (or later), and placing the removed material in a separate area until such suspicion or nonconformance can be properly resolved. The separate area may be physically segregated or it may be procedurally segregated, as long as the segregation is effective in preventing inadvertent sale or transfer of the suspect or nonconforming material prior to the identification of an appropriate disposition.
(5) A procedure for controlling measuring and/or test equipment when such equipment is required by the distributor’s business model. The procedure should provide for appropriate storage, usage, and calibration of such equipment.
(6) A shelf-life control system that helps the distributor meet quality and technical criteria for each part that has a shelf life.
(7) A system for assuring that technical data is current and accessible, when such data is required by the distributor’s business model.
(8) If inspection stamps are used, then a process or procedure for controlling inspection stamps, including stamp issuance, usage, reissuance, loss of, and accountability.
(9) Packaging control, so that the distributor adequately protects shipped parts from damage and deterioration.
(10) Preservation controls, such as environmental controls that help the distributor ensure that parts requiring special environments are identified and stored accordingly.
(11) A process to establish accountability in the event of duplicate approval tags or other traceability documents.
(12) When documentation is required to be duplicated to meet commercial requirements, a process for controlling the copies so as to prevent the misuse, or unintended use, of a copy.
Examples of appropriate documentation include lot control, batch control, and remaining inventory control and verification.
(13) A process for maintaining documentation that should include:
• The documents originally received with the parts being sold and shipped;
• The documents shipped with the parts; and
• Any other documents establishing the condition and origin of parts received and shipped.
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(14) A process for monitoring the effectiveness of the distributor’s quality system. This process should include a self-evaluation program that:
• Identifies distributor personnel responsible for self-evaluations;
• Specifies the frequency of audits;
• Identifies the applicable quality system standard;
• Defines adequate records the distributor must create to document the audit; and
• Describes a process for addressing corrective actions.
(15) A recall control system to ensure adequate circulation of recall notification for parts the distributor has shipped.
(16) A system for notifying the accreditation organization before the distributor significantly changes the distributor’s quality system. The accreditation organization shall determine what changes are significant.
(17) A system for hazardous materials (HAZMAT) control and transport that meets Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) requirements.
(18) A process or procedure for training purchasing and receiving personnel about the identification of counterfeit parts and suspected unapproved parts.
8. FAA-ACCEPTABLE QUALITY SYSTEM STANDARDS AND ACCREDITATION ORGANIZATIONS. The list of organizations with quality system standards acceptable for distributors of civil aeronautical parts for installation in type-certificated products is available at https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/programs/AC00-56. The list found on this website also lists the associated acceptable quality system standards and accreditation organizations.
9. ACCREDITATION ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBILITIES.
a. Operating Procedures. Accreditation organizations must have operating procedures adequately addressing all elements of an effective accreditation program. These elements should include:
• Audit review procedures;
• Auditor qualifications;
• Auditor training;
• Internal auditing;
• Issuance, withdrawal, or reinstatement of certificates;
• Internal document control; and
• Appeals.
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b. Audit Distributors. Accreditation organizations must audit distributors to ensure compliance with respective quality system standards (see paragraph 8) and all requirements in this AC. This audit should include a review of the manual to ensure that the manual adequately addresses the required elements, as well as an onsite audit of a distributor’s facility to ensure effective implementation of the quality system.
c. Monitoring Quality System Effectiveness. Accreditation organizations must have a process to periodically monitor the effectiveness of the distributor’s quality system.
d. Auditor Qualifications. Each auditor used by the accreditation organization should have at least one of the following qualifications:
(1) Certification as an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 auditor by an internationally recognized organization.
(2) Training to the CASE 3A standard by the Coordinating Agencies for Supplier Evaluation (C.A.S.E.).
(3) Past professional experience as either a quality auditor for an air carrier, repair station, or air agency; or as a distributor accredited under this AC.
(4) Past work as an FAA aviation safety inspector (ASI) with auditing experience.
(5) Authentication as an AS9100 auditor (EN9100 in Europe), and listed on the Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS) database.
(6) Professional experience as a quality auditor auditing to this AC for an accreditation organization.
e. Letter Certifying Compliance. If the distributor complies with a selected quality system standard and with all elements of this AC, and further complies with the requirements of its contract with the accreditation organization, then the accreditation organization shall give the distributor a letter certifying compliance with both the selected quality system standard and all elements of this AC.
f. Distributor Audit Requirements. The accreditation organization must audit a distributor accredited by this AC. The accreditation organization must conduct the audit—using the complete acceptable quality system standard chosen—at least once every 36 months. The organization must conduct at least one surveillance audit during the 36-month term for the distributor to continue to participate in the voluntary industry accreditation program. Any letter certifying compliance with the standards of this AC must become invalid no later than the third anniversary of the certification. This will not affect the letter’s validity about any other certifications made. The initial audit and the surveillance audit must each be onsite of a distributor’s facility to ensure effective implementation of the quality system.
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g. Withdrawal or Revocation. If an accreditation organization withdraws or revokes an accreditation before the date of the compliance-certifying letter for any reason, the accreditation organization must send the database manager written notification within 5 business days of the withdrawal or revocation.
h. Audit Records. Accreditation organizations must let the FAA audit their records so the FAA can ensure compliance with this AC.
10. ARRANGING AN AUDIT.
a. Contact an Accreditation Organization. Distributors seeking accreditation should contact one of the accreditation organizations authorized to audit a distributor by one of the acceptable quality system standards referenced in paragraph 8.
b. Distributor’s Self-Evaluation. The distributor should conduct and document a self-evaluation of the distributor’s quality system before arranging an audit with the accreditation organization.
c. Audit by Accreditation Organization. The distributor subsequently makes the necessary arrangements with the accreditation organization to audit the distributor’s quality system by the appropriate quality standard, the guidelines in this AC, and additional elements described in the distributor’s operating procedures manual.
d. Distributor Costs. The distributor bears all costs associated with the accreditation process.
11. TYPICAL ACCREDITATION PROCEDURES.
a. Database Listing. Accreditation becomes effective when the distributor is listed in the Voluntary Industry Distributor Accreditation Program database. The FAA has designated the Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA) as the database manager. The database is available at https://www.aviationsuppliers.org/FAA-AC-00-56B.
b. Steps for Database Entry. The distributor must take these steps before the database manager can add it to the database:
(1) Send a letter to the database manager certifying that the distributor has passed an audit by an accreditation organization. The distributor can send the letter by mail, any private or commercial interstate carrier, email, or other electronic means. (See Appendix 2 for a template of this letter.)
(2) Include with the letter a copy of the signed certification letter or certificate from the accreditation organization.
(3) Keep a copy of the registered certification letter on file until the next accreditation.
(4) Send their certification letter to the ASA. Distributors can get the ASA’s contact information at https://www.aviationsuppliers.org.
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(a) The distributor’s certification letter must contain the following information:
1. Date.
2. Company name.
3. Company address.
4. Company management official who is the company’s point of contact (POC).
5. Company phone number.
6. Company fax number.
7. Company email address.
8. A certification statement by a senior management official that the distributor will maintain and continue to follow their quality system as approved by the accreditation organization.
9. The distributor may also elect to submit their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. This is not mandatory, but will make automated searches easier. The CAGE code is a five-character identification number used extensively within the Federal Government, and is assigned by the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
(b) The distributor’s certification letter must have a copy of the signed certificate from the accreditation organization indicating that the distributor has successfully passed an audit. The certificate must also show that the distributor’s quality system met the requirements and standards of this AC by noting the standard and the date. The certificate must indicate the date on which the accreditation expires.
c. Publication Information. The database manager will publish the information in subparagraph 11(b)(4) via the internet within 10 days of receiving a properly completed certification statement.
d. Certification Expiration. Because accreditation under this program lasts 36 months, the certification expiration date must be the 3-year anniversary of the certification issue date, unless the expiration date listed on the certificate is sooner.
e. Removing Information. The database manager will remove the information from the database within 10 days from the certification expiration date, upon notification from an accreditation organization that it has revoked a distributor’s certification, or if the certificate has been surrendered. In cases where the certification date has expired, but the accreditation organization has informed the database manager that the distributor is actively completing recertification requirements, the database manager must keep the information posted up to 1 month from the expiration date.
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f. Providing Notification of Accreditation. Once the database manager has published this information on the internet, accreditation is complete, and the accredited distributor may provide this information to the distributor’s customers in the form of the following statement:
[Company Name] certifies that we are an accredited distributor meeting the [applicable quality standard] and the provisions of AC 00-56B. (Followed by a management signature from the distributor organization.)
12. DISTRIBUTORS APPROVED BY CAAs THAT HAVE A BILATERAL
AGREEMENT WITH THE FAA THAT INCLUDES MAINTENANCE IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES (MIP).
a. Bilateral Aviation Agreement. If a country has a bilateral aviation agreement (or bilateral aviation safety agreement) that includes a MIP or Maintenance Annex Guidance (MAG), and its CAA regulates distributors, the country may request the FAA to confirm that the distributors meet the requirements of this AC, and that the ASA can add the distributor to its database.
b. Determining Equivalency of Regulatory Standards. The FAA must determine if the regulatory standards imposed on the foreign distributor are equivalent to the criteria in this AC on a case-by-case basis. The CAA must submit their request to:
Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards Service Aircraft Maintenance Division, AFS-300 800 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20591
c. CAA Approval. If the FAA grants the request, then the database manager may list the foreign distributors regulated by that CAA in the database of accredited distributors, as long as they have met the documentation and certification requirements of subparagraph 11(b)(4), and include a copy of the certificate from the CAA in the mailing.
13. ACCREDITATION TERM. T he procedures contractually established by the quality system standard organization and the distributor will determine the term of accreditation and renewal of accreditation. The maximum term for distributor accreditation under this AC must be for 36 months with at least one surveillance audit during the 36-month term.
14. PROGRAM MONITORING. The Aircraft Maintenance Division and the Design, Manufacturing, and Airworthiness Division will jointly monitor the effectiveness of this program by participating in, or conducting, assessments of the accrediting organizations and distributors on a periodic basis, as deemed necessary by the FAA. When a new quality systems standard is added, the accreditation organization will notify us prior to performing the first five audits, and we may accompany the auditor on these audits. The POC is the Aircraft Maintenance Division, 202-267-1675.
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15. COMMENTS INVITED. Any proposed changes to this AC should be directed to:
Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards Service Aircraft Maintenance Division, AFS-300 800 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20591