^{Image: Innokas CEO Janne Kostamo (left )and operations director Valter Ritso (right)}

Innokas achieved AQAP certification, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner in defense and dual-use sectors. In early November, the company successfully obtained AQAP certification to better serve and demonstrate our commitment to our customers in defense and dual-use sector. “This achievement significantly forwards our commitment to highlight Nordic excellence and reliability in design and manufacturing on global stake in the coming years,” says head of QMS Päivi Isomäki.

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Significance of AQAP and ISO 9001

AQAP (Allied Quality Assurance Publications) is a NATO-originated guideline for quality management in defense-related projects. Specifically, AQAP-2110 sets rigorous requirements for processes, documentation, and configuration management in defense and aerospace programs. Certification is the most recognized way to demonstrate compliance with these standards.

Complementing AQAP is ISO 9001, a globally respected quality management standard that ensures that organizations follow structured, consistent processes to deliver products and services that meet customer and regulatory expectations. For AQAP certification, ISO 9001 is a prerequisite for most certification companies and one Innokas was already compliant with thanks to our pre-existing ISO 13485 certification, a known standard for medical device development and production.

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Why certification matters in partnerships

For innovators in defense and dual-use industries, partnering with a certified supplier means confidence and efficiency. Instead of conducting lengthy and costly audits, customers can rely on third-party verification that a partner meets AQAP requirements. This translates into:

• Confidence in compliance with defense-specific quality plans and configuration controls.

• Reduced overhead because there is no need to personally conduct costly multi-day audits.

• Assurance of reliability from a partner already vetted for critical projects.

"Certification brings peace of mind. It shows that the partners processes align with what authorities expect, and it makes collaboration efficient and more secure." Päivi explains.

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Building on a strong foundation

Achieving AQAP certification is a rigorous, multi-day process, but Innokas’ existing ISO 13485 certification for medical devices provided solid groundwork for AQAP and ISO 9001 implementation. With these certifications now in place, Innokas stands among the few Nordic companies equipped to serve both healthcare and defense sectors with uncompromising quality.

This achievement is statement towards trust and capability and supports our broader mission to strengthen Nordic defense expertise and showcase regional innovation on a global stage.
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If your project requires an AQAP certified partner, leave us a contact request via the link below. We will reach out for a short chat to chart what you need and if we could be the right fit for each other.