Veteran Quality Expert Exposes Boeing’s Two-Decade Supplier Audit Loophole “`

Stratford, Connecticut, November 30, 2024 – Daryl Guberman, a quality management expert with over 40 years of experience, has exposed a significant flaw in Boeing’s supplier auditing. For 22 years, Boeing relied on third-party certifications instead of conducting its own on-site audits. This raises serious concerns about Boeing’s commitment to quality and safety.

This practice began around 2002, following Boeing’s substantial workforce reduction after 9/11. Cost-cutting measures led to the adoption of third-party certifications from organizations like the Performance Review Institute (PRI), culminating in the NADCAP program. This allowed suppliers to provide certifications and parts, bypassing Boeing’s direct audits.

Further, a 2002 Boeing supplier bulletin mandated compliance with the AS9100 standard, but only if certifications were accredited by ANSI-ANAB or similar international bodies. This enabled suppliers with ANSI-ANAB-approved certifications to avoid direct Boeing audits.

While outsourcing audits saves Boeing time and money, Guberman highlights a conflict of interest. Boeing’s representation on ANSI-ANAB’s management committee grants it considerable influence over the accreditation process, raising impartiality concerns. This creates a system where Boeing indirectly controls supplier certifications.

ANSI-ANAB’s role as underwriter for the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), linked to its sister organization ILAC, further expands this network’s reach across aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and defense. Guberman criticizes the lack of transparency within this global accreditation system.

In response to Guberman’s findings, ANSI-ANAB has removed web pages detailing Boeing’s ties, a move Guberman sees as an attempt to avoid accountability. He also suggests possible rebranding to GLOBAC to deflect scrutiny.

Boeing’s two-decade reliance on outsourced certifications, while cost-effective, potentially compromised quality. Guberman’s findings raise critical questions about prioritizing profit over rigorous oversight in an industry where safety is paramount.

Guberman advocates for a renewed focus on direct auditing and independent quality assurance to restore trust and safety in Boeing’s global supply chain.