EN 9146:2018

Aerospace series - Foreign Object Damage (FOD) Prevention Program - Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defence Organizations

This European standard defines FOD Prevention Program requirements for organizations that design,
develop, and provide aviation, space, and defence products and services; and by organizations
providing post-delivery support, including the provision of maintenance, spare parts, or materials for
their own products and services.
It is emphasized that the requirements specified in this European standard are complementary
(not alternative) to customer, and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Should there be a
conflict between the requirements of this standard and applicable statutory or regulatory
requirements, the latter shall take precedence.

Luft- und Raumfahrt - Programm zur Verhinderung von Schäden durch Fremdkörper (FOD) - Anforderungen an Organisationen der Luftfahrt, Raumfahrt und Verteidigung

Série aérospatiale - Programme de prévention des dommages causés par un corps étranger (FOD) - Exigences pour les Organismes de l'Aéronautique, l'Espace et la Défense

Aeronavtika - Program za preprečevanje poškodb zaradi tujkov - Zahteve za letalske, vesoljske in obrambne organizacije

Ta evropski standard določa zahteve programa za preprečevanje poškodb zaradi tujkov (FOD) za organizacije, ki oblikujejo, razvijajo in zagotavljajo izdelke ter storitve za letalsko, vesoljsko in obrambno industrijo, ter za organizacije, ki zagotavljajo podporo po dostavi, vključno z zagotavljanjem vzdrževanja, rezervnih delov ali materialov za svoje izdelke in storitve.
Poudariti je treba, da zahteve iz tega evropskega standarda dopolnjujejo (niso alternativna možnost) zahteve strank ter ustrezne zakonske in regulativne zahteve. V primeru neskladnosti med zahtevami iz tega standarda in ustreznimi zakonskimi ali regulativnimi zahtevami imajo prednost ustrezne zakonske ali regulativne zahteve.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Oct-2018
• Withdrawal Date: 29-Apr-2019
• ICS: 49.020 - Aircraft and space vehicles in general
• Technical Committee: ASD-STAN - Aerospace
• Drafting Committee: ASD-STAN/D 6/S 1 - EAQG European Aerospace Quality Group
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 31-Oct-2018
• Completion Date: 31-Oct-2018
• Ref Project: SIST EN 9146:2019 - Aerospace series - Foreign Object Damage (FOD) Prevention Program - Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defence Organizations

Overview

EN 9146:2018 is a European standard developed by the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD-STAN) that specifies Foreign Object Damage (FOD) Prevention Program requirements for organizations operating in aviation, space, and defence sectors. This standard is essential for companies involved in designing, developing, manufacturing, maintaining, and supporting aerospace products to ensure they mitigate the risks related to FOD.

FOD, arising from foreign objects that may enter and damage aircraft or spacecraft systems, represents a significant safety and economic issue. EN 9146:2018 formalizes a comprehensive program that can be embedded across the supply chain globally to reduce incidents, increase product reliability, and comply with regulatory obligations.

Key Topics

• Program Management
  Organizations must demonstrate leadership commitment to FOD prevention. A designated management representative oversees implementation, documentation, and continual effectiveness evaluation of the FOD Prevention Program.

• Operations Controls
  Procedures for product design, protective measures, operational sequencing, inspection, and cleaning are required to minimize the risk of foreign objects entering or damaging aerospace products.

• Area Designation and Visual Management
  Work and production areas are classified based on FOD risk assessments, with appropriate controls such as signage, restricted access, and housekeeping to prevent FOD.

• Training and Personnel Access
  Targeted FOD prevention training is mandated for all employees and visitors accessing controlled areas to instill awareness and best practices.

• Product Protection
  Requirements address contamination prevention, safe storage and transportation, and safeguarding products from physical damage or FOD during all phases, including infrastructure maintenance.

• Housekeeping and Clean-As-You-Go Practices
  Regular cleaning of workspaces to eliminate debris accumulation is crucial to prevent FOD.

• Control of Consumables, Hardware, Personal Items, and Tools
  Strict accountability and control processes for consumables, hardware parts, personal items, and tools must be maintained to avoid loss or contamination risks.

Applications

EN 9146:2018 applies to a broad range of aerospace-related organizations including:

• Aircraft and spacecraft design and manufacturing companies
• Defence contractors developing complex systems
• Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations
• Distributors providing aviation and space hardware and materials
• Supply chain entities at all tiers involved in product development and support

Implementing this standard supports:

• Enhanced safety by reducing the risk of FOD-induced failures during flight or operation
• Improved product quality and reliability, aligned with regulatory and customer requirements
• Greater cost efficiency through reduced rework, scrap, and delayed deliveries
• Stronger supply chain integrity by enabling consistent FOD prevention practices globally
• Compliance with international aerospace quality management systems

Related Standards

EN 9146:2018 complements and integrates with widely recognized aerospace quality management standards, including:

• EN 9100: Quality Management Systems Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defence Organizations
• EN 9110: Requirements for Aviation Maintenance Organizations
• EN 9120: Quality Management for Aviation, Space, and Defence Distributors
• EN ISO 9000: Fundamentals and vocabulary for quality management systems
• IAQG Supply Chain Management Handbook (SCMH): Provides industry guidance on Foreign Object Prevention Programs

Together, these standards help aerospace organizations establish comprehensive quality assurance and risk mitigation programs that include critical FOD prevention measures.

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Keywords: EN 9146:2018, Foreign Object Damage, FOD Prevention Program, aerospace quality standards, aviation, space, defence, FOD risk management, aerospace safety, maintenance organizations, IAQG standards, aerospace industry compliance.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2019
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OHWDOVNHYHVROMVNHLQREUDPEQHRUJDQL]DFLMH
Aerospace series - Foreign Object Damage (FOD) Prevention Program - Requirements
for Aviation, Space, and Defence Organizations
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Programm zur Verhinderung von Schäden durch Fremdkörper
(FOD) - Anforderungen an Organisationen der Luftfahrt, Raumfahrt und Verteidigung
Série aérospatiale - Programme de prévention des dommages causés par un corps
étranger (FOD) - Exigences pour les Organismes de l'Aéronautique, l'Espace et la
Défense
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 9146:2018
ICS:
49.020 Letala in vesoljska vozila na Aircraft and space vehicles in
splošno general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 9146
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2018
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 49.020
English Version
Aerospace series - Foreign Object Damage (FOD)
Prevention Program - Requirements for Aviation, Space,
and Defence Organizations
Série aérospatiale - Programme de prévention des Luft- und Raumfahrt - Programm zur Verhinderung
dommages causés par un corps étranger (FOD) - von Schäden durch Fremdkörper (FOD) -
Exigences pour les Organismes de l'Aéronautique, Anforderungen an Organisationen der Luftfahrt,
l'Espace et la Défense Raumfahrt und Verteidigung
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 22 January 2018.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2018 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 9146:2018 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
Page
European foreword . 3
Rationale . 4
Foreword . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Foreign object damage prevention program requirements . 6

European foreword
This document (EN 9146:2018) has been prepared by the Aerospace and Defence Industries
Association of Europe - Standardization (ASD-STAN).
After enquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of this Association, this Standard has
received the approval of the National Associations and the Official Services of the member countries of
ASD, prior to its presentation to CEN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by April 2019, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 2019.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Rationale
Foreign Object Damage (FOD) is a major concern in the aviation, space, and defence industry. While
there is a large amount of information and guidance available about the prevention of FOD, no
requirements standard exists. This European standard identifies FOD Prevention Program
requirements that can be flowed down in contractual agreements.
Foreword
To assure customer satisfaction, the aviation, space, and defence industry organizations must produce
and continually improve safe, reliable products that meet or exceed customer and regulatory authority
requirements. The globalization of the industry and the complexity of resulting organizations’ supply
chains have complicated this objective. End-product organizations face the challenge of assuring the
quality of, and integrating, product purchased from suppliers throughout the world and at all levels
within the supply chain. Furthermore, suppliers and processors, within the industry, face the challenge
of delivering product to multiple customers having varying quality expectations and requirements.
The aviation, space, and defence industry established the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG)
for the purpose of achieving significant improvements in quality and safety, and reductions in cost,
throughout the value stream. This organization includes representation from aviation, space, and
defence companies in the Americas, Asia/Pacific, and Europe.
The IAQG benchmarked industry best practices and guidance to develop the requirements of this FOD
Prevention Program standard. This document standardizes FOD Prevention Program requirements to
the greatest extent possible and can be used at all levels of the supply chain by organizations around the
world to mitigate FOD risk to aviation, space, and defence products and services.
1 Scope
This European standard defines FOD Prevention Program requirements for organizations that design,
develop, and provide aviation, space, and defence products and services; and by organizations
providing post-delivery support, including the provision of maintenance, spare parts, or materials for
their own products and services.
It is emphasized that the requirements specified in this European standard are complementary
(not alternative) to customer, and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Should there be a
conflict between the requirements of this standard and applicable statutory or regulatory
requirements, the latter shall take precedence.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 9100, Quality Management Systems — Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defence Organizations
EN 9110, Quality Management Systems — Requirements for Aviation Maintenance Organizations
EN 9120, Quality Management Systems — Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defence Distributors
NOTE Equivalent versions (e.g., AS, EN, JISQ, SJAC, NBR) of the IAQG standards listed above are published
internationally in each sector.
EN ISO 9000:2015, Quality management systems — Fundamentals and vocabulary (ISO 9000:2015
IAQG, Supply Chain Management Handbook (SCMH) — Foreign Object Prevention Program Guidance
Material (http://www.sae.org/iaqg/)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 9100 and EN ISO 9000 apply.
The following terms and definitions are included to support the understanding of this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
clean-as-you-go
practice of cleaning the immediate work area of the product at appropriate intervals to eliminate the
accumulation or migration of Foreign Objects (FOs) that m
...