Our Certifications and Accreditations – VACCO Industries

As a world leader in the photo etching parts industry, VACCO Precision Etched Parts uses our decades of experience and expertise to produce the highest quality parts. The name VACCO is synonymous with high quality, efficient processing, excellent customer service, and timely completion, regardless of the job.

For VACCO, photo etching is more than a business. It is a statement of VACCO’s dedication and devotion to supplying the industries we serve with parts that will never fail, as well as providing exceptional performance. VACCO Precision Etched Parts sets and exceeds industry standards and requirements.

This page provides more information about VACCO’s accreditations and certifications, along with any associated documentation.

AS/ISO Certification

What is AS Certification?

AS9100 is a quality management system (QMS) standard specifically developed for the aerospace industry. It is based on the ISO 9001 standard but includes additional requirements and focuses on the unique needs of the aerospace sector. The goal of AS9100 is to establish a comprehensive and standardized framework for managing quality in the design, development, production, and servicing of aerospace products.

AS9100 provides a set of requirements that organizations in the aerospace industry must adhere to in order to achieve and demonstrate their commitment to quality. This includes aspects such as risk management, configuration management, product realization, and continuous improvement. Compliance with AS9100 is often a prerequisite for doing business with major aerospace manufacturers and suppliers.

The AS9100 standard is maintained by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) and is used globally to ensure consistent quality management practices within the aerospace and defense industries. It plays a crucial role in enhancing product safety, reliability, and compliance with regulatory requirements in the aerospace sector.

What is ISO Certification?

ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization, which is an independent, non-governmental international organization that develops and publishes standards to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of products, services, and systems. An ISO certificate is a document issued by a certification body that attests that a company or organization has met the specific requirements of one or more ISO standards.

ISO certification is a way for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to quality, environmental responsibility, information security, or other aspects of their operations. The certification process involves a thorough audit by an independent certification body to assess whether the organization’s management system and processes comply with the requirements of the relevant ISO standard.

Obtaining ISO certification can enhance an organization’s credibility, improve its efficiency, and make it more competitive in the marketplace. However, it’s important to note that ISO certification is voluntary, and organizations choose to pursue it based on their specific business needs and goals.

VACCO Industries is certified to the ISO 9001 and AS 9100 standards—including design. With this certification, VACCO continues to advance our systems to meet and exceed all mission-critical requirements that our aerospace and defense customers demand.

As an AS 9100 certified company, the products and services you require from VACCO are produced using the highest certified business management system in the aerospace and defense industries.

Below is VACCO’s AS and ISO certification:

ISO certificate for ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D quality standards

Nadcap Certification

What is Nadcap Certification?

Nadcap, which stands for the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program, is a global cooperative accreditation program for aerospace engineering, defense, and related industries. Nadcap is managed by the Performance Review Institute (PRI), and it aims to provide a standardized approach to quality assurance and accreditation throughout the aerospace and defense supply chains.

Nadcap certification is a prestigious accreditation that signifies compliance with industry-specific standards and best practices. The certification process involves thorough audits and assessments of a company’s manufacturing and quality processes. The focus is on critical areas such as materials testing, non-destructive testing, heat treating, chemical processing, and more, depending on the specific scope of the accreditation sought.

Achieving Nadcap certification can enhance a company’s reputation, open up new business opportunities, and demonstrate a commitment to quality and excellence in the aerospace and defense sectors. However, it is a demanding process that requires dedication to maintaining high standards in manufacturing and quality assurance processes.

Performance Review Institute (PRI) / Nadcap has certified VACCO’s internal welding and liquid penetrant inspection processes. In addition, we have various Level 2 and Level 3 certified non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel in-house and on-contract for liquid penetrant and radiographic testing capabilities.

Below are VACCO’s Nadcap certifications from PRI:

Scope Of Accreditation – NDT

Nadcap NDT Certificate to AC7114

Scope of Accreditation – Welding

Nadcap Welding Certificate to AC7110

RoHS Compliance

What is RoHS Compliance?

RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. RoHS compliance is a directive that originated in the European Union and restricts the use of certain hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. The directive is aimed at reducing the environmental impact of electronic products and ensuring the safety of both the products and the people who use them.

The original RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC) was adopted in 2003 and restricted the use of six hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. These substances are:

  • Lead (Pb)
  • Mercury (Hg)
  • Cadmium (Cd)
  • Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
  • Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
  • Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)

Later, the directive was revised, and the RoHS 2 Directive (2011/65/EU) came into effect. This directive expanded the scope and requirements for compliance and introduced additional substances. The substances added include:

  • Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
  • Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
  • Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

RoHS compliance is essential for companies manufacturing or selling electronic and electrical equipment in the European Union and other regions that have adopted similar regulations. It ensures that products entering the market do not contain specified hazardous substances above the permitted concentrations. Manufacturers typically need to test and declare their products as RoHS compliant and label them accordingly. Compliance is also often a requirement for doing business with certain customers or in specific markets globally.

VACCO Industries is RoHS compliant.

ITAR Registration

What is ITAR?

ITAR stands for the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which is a set of United States government regulations that control the export and import of defense-related articles, services, and technologies. The regulations are administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC).

Being ITAR registered means that a company or organization has registered with the DDTC and is compliant with the regulations related to the export and import of defense-related items. These regulations are in place to ensure that sensitive military technologies and information are not transferred to unauthorized individuals, entities, or countries.

ITAR registration is typically required for companies that manufacture, export, or broker defense articles, defense services, or related technical data. It involves a thorough review of the company’s practices and procedures to ensure they are in compliance with ITAR requirements.

ITAR registration is important for companies involved in the defense industry or those dealing with technologies and products that have military applications. It helps the U.S. government control the distribution of sensitive defense-related information and technologies to protect national security interests.

VACCO Industries is ITAR Registered.

About VACCO Industries

VACCO Industries is a wholly owned subsidiary of ESCO Technologies Inc., St. Louis, MO.

VACCO was founded in 1954 as Vacuum and Air Components Company of America, which was later changed to the present day name of VACCO Industries. Since its inception, VACCO’s extensive product development has diversified the company’s products to better serve its customers.

Precision Etched Parts of VACCO Industries provides advanced manufacturing technology primarily using the Company’s core competence of Photochemical Etching. VACCO’s resolve is to be the preferred supplier for the design, development, and production requirements of our worldwide customers that serve many different markets.
For more information about our certifications, please contact us. To request a quote or request more information about VACCO Industries, please use our Request for Information form.