How to Validate MS/NAS Fasteners for Fastener Compliance and Traceability

In highly regulated industries like aerospace and defense, fastener compliance is non-negotiable. Engineers and procurement teams must ensure that every MS or NAS fastener used in production meets rigorous standards for performance, documentation, and traceability. This guide breaks down the validation process and offers a practical roadmap for sourcing with confidence.

Why Fastener Compliance and Traceability Matter in Aerospace

Every aerospace component is critical, but fasteners bear a unique responsibility: they literally hold complex systems together under extreme conditions. Compliance and traceability aren’t just about checking boxes—they’re about preventing failure and ensuring safety across missions and flight operations.

The High Stakes of Non-Compliant Components

A single non-compliant fastener can lead to catastrophic failures, grounding aircraft and jeopardizing lives. Beyond safety concerns, regulatory fines, contractual penalties, and loss of certification can severely impact organizations.

Real-World Risks: Failures, Recalls, and Regulatory Issues

There are well-documented cases where improper fasteners led to recalls of entire fleets. When fasteners don’t meet military or aerospace specifications, they risk causing system malfunctions, increasing maintenance cycles, and reducing aircraft lifespan.

The Role of MS and NAS Fasteners in Safety-Critical Applications

MS and NAS fasteners are trusted across airframes, propulsion systems, control surfaces, and mission payloads. These parts are engineered for specific tolerances and performance demands that generic hardware simply can’t match.

Understanding the Standards That Govern Aerospace Fasteners

Before validating compliance, it’s essential to understand the frameworks these fasteners operate within. Standards ensure consistency, safety, and traceability across suppliers and applications.

MS (Military Standard) Fasteners and Their Evolution

Military Standard (MS) fasteners were developed by the U.S. Department of Defense to meet the demanding requirements of defense systems. Over time, many MS parts have been superseded by NAS fasteners or updated to NAS-M designations.

NAS (National Aerospace Standards) and Their Applications

NAS fasteners are governed by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and are widely used in both military and civilian aircraft. These fasteners undergo rigorous testing and qualification processes to ensure their suitability for flight-critical functions.

Overview of Quality Benchmarks Like AS9100 and ISO 9001

AS9100 is the definitive quality management system (QMS) standard for aerospace manufacturing and distribution. It expands on ISO 9001 by including additional requirements for safety, risk management, and traceability. Suppliers must be AS9100 certified to ensure the quality of MS and NAS fasteners.

Documentation That Proves Fastener Compliance

Verbal assurances aren’t enough when it comes to fastener compliance. Buyers and engineers need robust documentation to validate part authenticity, manufacturing quality, and material integrity.

What a Full Certification Package Should Include

A full certification package typically includes:

Certificate of Conformance (CoC)
Material Test Reports (MTRs)
Process certifications (plating, heat treating, etc.)
Lot and batch numbers
Traceable manufacturer identification

These documents should be available for every shipment and tied directly to part numbers and lot codes.

Chain of Custody: Why It’s Non-Negotiable

Chain of custody proves a part’s origin and the integrity of its journey from the manufacturer to the end user. Each handoff in the supply chain must be documented to eliminate the risk of counterfeit or unapproved parts entering the system.

Common Pitfalls in Certification Review—and How to Avoid Them

Errors in documentation—like mismatched part numbers, incomplete certifications, or missing MTRs—can delay projects and disqualify components. To avoid setbacks, buyers should adopt a checklist-based approach to review every document before parts are approved for use.

KJL Fasteners delivers full certification packages, AS9100-certified sourcing, and expert support to ensure fastener compliance. Explore how our capabilities simplify validation and traceability.

Our Fastener Capabilities

How to Validate Traceability for MS/NAS Fasteners

Traceability is at the core of aerospace part validation. If a fastener’s history can’t be traced from raw material to final inspection, it should not be used in production.

What True Traceability Looks Like (and Why It Matters)

True traceability means each fastener can be tracked to a specific production run, including:

Source of raw material
Manufacturing date and location
Operator credentials (where applicable)
Heat lot and process trace records

This level of granularity is critical when auditing or investigating failures.

Verifying Manufacturer Credentials and Certifications

Only purchase from manufacturers and distributors with current AS9100 certification. Confirm these credentials with third-party registrars, and verify that they are up to date and applicable to the scope of work.

The Importance of Serialized Parts and Lot Tracking

Serialized fasteners provide unique identification for individual components, enabling detailed traceability. Lot tracking groups fasteners by manufacturing batches, which is critical for monitoring performance and managing any future recalls or alerts.

Supplier Audits and Approved Vendor Lists

Selecting the right supplier is one of the most critical steps in achieving fastener compliance. Aerospace OEMs and prime contractors maintain strict Approved Vendor Lists (AVLs) and supplier audit protocols to protect supply integrity.

Why AS9100 Certification Is the Minimum Standard

AS9100 isn’t just a badge—it’s a baseline. Suppliers without this certification lack the required systems to support aerospace quality standards and traceability. Fasteners from uncertified sources risk being rejected during audits or final inspections.

How OEMs and Tier 1s Vet Their Fastener Suppliers

OEMs typically:

Conduct periodic on-site audits
Review quality documentation and corrective action histories
Require full traceability for all shipments
Evaluate financial and operational stability

Meeting these expectations is essential to remain on the AVL and sustain long-term relationships.

Red Flags When Reviewing New or Unfamiliar Vendors

Some warning signs include:

Reluctance to share documentation or certification details
Incomplete or inconsistent CoCs and MTRs
Lack of clarity on material sourcing
Poor communication or delayed responses to technical queries

Any of these may indicate a supplier is not equipped to meet compliance expectations.

Your Fastener Compliance Checklist

Every aerospace organization should have a standardized internal process for fastener validation. Here are actionable steps to help engineers and procurement teams make confident sourcing decisions.

8 Key Questions to Ask Before Sourcing MS or NAS Fasteners

Is the supplier AS9100 certified?
Can they provide full certification packages with every order?
Do they maintain chain-of-custody documentation?
Are all materials traceable to source?
Has this part been used in similar applications or approved by known OEMs?
Do they offer serialization and lot tracking?
Have they passed previous audits or industry assessments?
Are customer references or quality reports available?

Tips for Creating a Standardized Internal Review Process

Establish a checklist aligned with AS9100 and internal quality protocols
Train quality assurance teams to review certification packages
Integrate supplier scorecards into sourcing decisions
Perform spot checks on incoming shipments

How to Work with Suppliers to Ensure Ongoing Compliance

Compliance is not a one-time event—it’s an ongoing collaboration. Communicate clearly with suppliers about documentation expectations. Share your internal quality standards and ask how the supplier supports them with process controls and traceability.

KJL Fasteners’ Approach to Fastener Compliance and Traceability

KJL Fasteners understands that quality in the aerospace industry begins long before a fastener reaches the production floor. Our systems are designed to give procurement teams peace of mind from the first quote to the final delivery.

Full Documentation, Every Time

Every shipment from KJL includes a comprehensive certification package tailored to the part type and application. We never cut corners on traceability or documentation.

Only Certified, Audited Sources

We work exclusively with AS9100-certified manufacturers and conduct our own internal evaluations. This ensures that all fasteners—whether MS, NAS, or custom—meet the highest quality benchmarks.

Supporting Engineers Through Every Step of the Validation Process

We provide real-time support to help you interpret certifications, validate documentation, and troubleshoot sourcing challenges. Our experienced team understands both engineering constraints and compliance protocols, giving you confidence throughout the procurement lifecycle.

Partner With a Supplier Who Prioritizes Compliance

Fastener compliance is a mission-critical priority in aerospace and defense environments. From traceability to AS9100 certification, every part must meet strict industry standards—because even a single non-compliant fastener can compromise an entire system. Engineers and procurement professionals have a responsibility to validate each component with precision and care.

KJL Fasteners provides the tools, documentation, and support you need to meet those compliance demands with confidence. Backed by rigorous supplier audits and full traceability protocols, our team is here to help you source MS and NAS fasteners that align with your quality goals—every time. Let us be your partner in delivering compliance without compromise.