Why choose our consultancy, PECAL - AQAP?
PECAL (Spanish Quality Publication) and AQAP (Allied Quality Assurance Publications) are quality certifications that are more stringent than, for example, ISO 9001, as they are designed to approve the operations and services of companies that deal directly with the Ministry of Defence:
- We have over 20 years’ experience in Quality Management Systems (QMS). Our team of senior consultants has implemented numerous ISO certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, amongst others). Over 200 success stories attest to our ability to deliver agile, practical and client-focused ISO 9001 certifications. Furthermore, Emasconsultors is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, a fact that guarantees professionalism and reliability.
- We also maintain constant contact with our clients, both in person and online, to resolve any project queries immediately. Our approach facilitates staff integration and improves direct communication with our quality consultants. In this way, we achieve a management system in which all members of the organisation feel involved.
We work wherever you are: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia or Bilbao, amongst other locations.
What does the PECAL - AQAP certificate offer?
- Access to Ministry of Defence and NATO contracts: This is an essential requirement for becoming an accredited supplier for military programmes.
- Enhanced quality control: Implementing PECAL entails more robust processes, full traceability and greater product reliability.
- Improved risk management: The certification requires comprehensive control over errors, faults, non-conformities and change management.
- Enhanced trust and reputation: It demonstrates that the company meets standards stricter than ISO 9001, strengthening its image with strategic clients.
- Greater competitiveness: It enables the company to stand out from other suppliers in a highly regulated and demanding sector.
- Better control of subcontractors: PECAL requires the quality of the entire supply chain to be verified and guaranteed.
FAQs PECAL AQAP
Which standards can be integrated with PECAL - AQAP?
The PECAL – AQAP standards can be easily integrated with other management systems thanks to their compatibility with the structure of ISO standards. This integration enables the optimisation of processes, a reduction in audit costs and a strengthening of quality within the defence sector. The most common standards that integrate with PECAL are:
- ISO 9001 – Quality management. Fully aligned with PECAL 2110, it provides compatible structure, processes and documentation.
- EN 9100 – Aerospace and defence quality. Highly consistent with PECAL, particularly in aerospace and military projects.
- ISO 14001 – Environmental management. Enables the control and minimisation of environmental impact in defence programmes.
- ISO 45001 – Occupational health and safety. Complements PECAL requirements in operational safety and risk prevention.
- ISO 27001 – Information security. Key to protecting sensitive data and meeting NATO cybersecurity requirements.
- ISO 10007 – Configuration management. Widely used in military and aerospace environments requiring full traceability.
- ISO/IEC 15288 – Systems lifecycle. Suitable for projects requiring robust technical and documentation management.
Integrating PECAL – AQAP with these standards enhances quality, safety, traceability and control throughout the defence sector’s value chain.
What are the requirements of the PECAL standards for quality management?
The PECAL-AQAP standards for quality management set out the requirements of the Ministry of Defence and NATO that defence suppliers must meet in order to ensure quality in defence contracts. These requirements vary depending on the supplier’s area of activity, which is why there are different PECAL standards within the AQAP family.
¿Qué normas PECAL - AQAP hay?
The main PECAL standards are:
- PECAL 2110. NATO quality assurance requirements for design, development and production.
- PECAL 2120. NATO quality assurance requirements specific to production.
- PECAL 2130. Requirements for in-process inspection and testing.
- PECAL 2131. NATO requirements for final product inspection.
- PECAL 2105. Requirements for the preparation and control of deliverable quality plans.
- PECAL 2210. Software quality requirements, complementary to PECAL 2110.
- PECAL 160. Software quality requirements throughout its life cycle (outside the current PECAL/*AQAP 2000 certification scheme).
The UNE-EN 9137:2012 standard provides guidance on the correct application of PECAL 2110 within a quality management system based on EN 9100, facilitating interpretation but without replacing the official NATO requirements.
¿Cuáles son los requisitos de las normas PECAL para la gestión de la calidad?
The PECAL-AQAP standards aim to ensure that companies operating in the defence sector meet the strict quality requirements established by NATO. The main objectives are:
- To ensure that a company has the actual capability to meet military quality requirements before participating in any NATO contract or tender.
- To inform NATO countries and agencies of the reliability, robustness and maturity of the organisation’s quality management system.
- To facilitate access to international tenders and contracts, enabling Spanish companies to bid for defence projects with greater assurance and official recognition.
- To strengthen business competitiveness in the defence sector, providing confidence, transparency and international prestige that sets the company apart in the eyes of clients and military bodies.
The successful implementation of a PECAL – AQAP system demonstrates a firm commitment to quality and safety, and is an essential gateway to the international defence market.