--- title: "AS9100 8.4.3 flow-down: what your purchase orders must say" description: What AS9100 clause 8.4.3 says to flow down to suppliers, with sample purchase order quality clauses and the DFARS, CMMC and ITAR clauses that often apply. image: https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-og-res-as9100-flow-down-requirements.png --- [![FactoryQA](https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-logo-white.png)](https://factoryqa.com/) Features [**Platform overview**Every module, and how they connect](https://factoryqa.com/feature-overview)[**AI features**Purpose-built AI in every module](https://factoryqa.com/ai-powered-quality-management)[**Integrations**ERP connectors and imports](https://factoryqa.com/integrations) [**Dashboard**Every module in one scorecard](https://factoryqa.com/products/qualitybi-dashboard)[**Tasks**Every to-do, from every module](https://factoryqa.com/products/task-management)[**Compliance**Readiness for your standard](https://factoryqa.com/products/compliance)[**Quality Plans**Ballooning, PFMEA, control plans, PPAP](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans)[**Documents**Revisions, approvals, sign-offs](https://factoryqa.com/products/document-control)[**Issues**NCRs, CAPAs and SCARs](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management)[**Inspection**Sheets, first articles and SPC](https://factoryqa.com/products/inspection-sheets)[**Calibration**Gages, due dates and Gage R&R](https://factoryqa.com/products/calibration-management)[**Preventive Maintenance**Scheduled work orders and repairs](https://factoryqa.com/preventive-maintenance-factoryqa)[**Supplier Quality**Approved suppliers, portal and SCARs](https://factoryqa.com/products/supplier-management)[**Audits**Schedules, checklists and findings](https://factoryqa.com/products/audit-management)[**Learning Management**Courses, quizzes and the training matrix](https://factoryqa.com/products/learning-management-system)[**QMS Generator**Your manual from an interview](https://factoryqa.com/products/qms-generator) Services [**Services overview**Certification, consulting and supplier quality](https://factoryqa.com/services)[**Get Certified**Three paths to AS9100, ISO 9001 or ISO 13485: do it yourself, join a workshop, or work 1-1 with a consultant.](https://factoryqa.com/certification-services)[**Certification Workshops**A 9-week, small-group program with 18 expert-led sessions and an AI-built document kit.](https://factoryqa.com/certification-cohorts)[**QMS Consulting**A consultant on your team from training through implementation, internal audit and the registrar audit.](https://factoryqa.com/qms-consulting)[**Supplier Quality Services**Qualification, management, training and security services for your whole supply base.](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services) [Pricing](https://factoryqa.com/pricing) [Log in](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/login)[Book a demo](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo)[Start free](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/register) Features[**Platform overview**](https://factoryqa.com/feature-overview)[AI features](https://factoryqa.com/ai-powered-quality-management)[Integrations](https://factoryqa.com/integrations)[Dashboard](https://factoryqa.com/products/qualitybi-dashboard)[Tasks](https://factoryqa.com/products/task-management)[Compliance](https://factoryqa.com/products/compliance)[Quality Plans](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans)[Documents](https://factoryqa.com/products/document-control)[Issues](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management)[Inspection](https://factoryqa.com/products/inspection-sheets)[Calibration](https://factoryqa.com/products/calibration-management)[Preventive Maintenance](https://factoryqa.com/preventive-maintenance-factoryqa)[Supplier Quality](https://factoryqa.com/products/supplier-management)[Audits](https://factoryqa.com/products/audit-management)[Learning Management](https://factoryqa.com/products/learning-management-system)[QMS Generator](https://factoryqa.com/products/qms-generator) Services[**Services overview**](https://factoryqa.com/services)[Get Certified](https://factoryqa.com/certification-services)[Certification Workshops](https://factoryqa.com/certification-cohorts)[QMS Consulting](https://factoryqa.com/qms-consulting)[Supplier Quality Services](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services)More[**Pricing**](https://factoryqa.com/pricing)[Log in](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/login)[Book a demo](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo) Supplier quality # AS9100 8.4.3 flow-down: what your purchase orders must say What AS9100 clause 8.4.3 says to flow down to suppliers, with sample purchase order quality clauses and the DFARS, CMMC and ITAR clauses that often apply. FactoryQA quality teamNovember 12, 2026 When you buy material, parts or processing, your customer's requirements do not stop at your door. AS9100 clause 8.4.3 lists what you must communicate to external providers, and requires them to flow it down to their own suppliers. Most shops do this through purchase order quality clauses and a supplier quality manual. Gaps in flow-down are one of the most common supplier-related audit findings. *1***Customer contract**Clauses and specs *2***Contract review**What applies to whom *3***Your purchase order**Quality clauses attached *4***Your supplier**Acknowledges and complies *5***Their sub-tiers**Flowed down again Every requirement reaches whoever does the work ## What clause 8.4.3 asks you to communicate In plain language, your purchase order or the documents it references should cover: - The product or service, with the part number, drawing and specification revisions - Approval requirements for product, methods, processes, equipment and release - Competence or qualification of people, where required - How you will interact with and monitor the supplier, and any verification at their site by you or your customer - Design and development control, where the supplier designs - Special requirements, critical items and key characteristics - Test, inspection and verification requirements, including production process verification such as a first article - Use of statistical techniques for product acceptance, where applicable - The need for a quality management system - Use of customer-designated or approved sources, including special process sources - Notification of nonconforming product, and your approval of its disposition - Prevention of counterfeit parts - Notification of changes to the product, process, sub-suppliers or manufacturing location, with your approval before the change - Flow-down of these requirements to the supplier's own suppliers, including key characteristics - Test specimens for design approval, inspection or audit - Record retention requirements - Right of access for you, your customer and regulatory authorities to their facilities and records - That their people are aware of their contribution to product conformity and safety, and of the importance of ethical behavior ## How to put it on the purchase order Three layers keep POs short and complete: 1. **Standard quality clauses**, numbered and published (for example Q1 to Q30), with the clauses that apply listed on each PO 2. **Your supplier quality manual**, referenced on every PO, acknowledged by each supplier at its current revision 3. **Part-specific requirements** on the PO line: drawing and specification revisions, key characteristics, first article, certifications Sample clause wording, to adapt with your customer's requirements: **Q4 Change notification.** Seller shall notify Buyer in writing, and obtain Buyer's approval, before any change to the product design, processes, manufacturing location, or sub-tier sources of supply for items on this order. **Q7 Nonconforming product.** Seller shall notify Buyer within two business days of discovering nonconforming product delivered or to be delivered under this order. Seller shall not use a disposition of use-as-is or repair without Buyer's written approval. **Q12 Records.** Seller shall retain quality records for this order for ten years after delivery, unless the order states otherwise, and make them available to Buyer, Buyer's customer and regulatory authorities on request. **Q15 Flow-down.** Seller shall flow down the applicable requirements of this order, including key characteristics, to its sub-tier suppliers. Retention periods, notice times and approval rules vary by customer; use theirs. ## Defense and export clauses that often flow down If you supply the US defense industry, your contract may carry clauses that must flow down to suppliers: - **Counterfeit electronic parts** (DFARS 252.246-7007 and 252.246-7008), for electronic parts and assemblies containing them - **Safeguarding covered defense information** (DFARS 252.204-7012), and the CMMC clause (DFARS 252.204-7021), which began phasing into DoD contracts in November 2025, when suppliers handle controlled information - **Specialty metals** (DFARS 252.225-7009), which restricts the origin of certain metals - **Export control** (ITAR and EAR), when technical data or parts are export controlled Which clauses apply depends on your contract and what each supplier does. Read the clause text for its own flow-down rules, and ask your customer or legal adviser when unsure. This guide is general information, not legal advice. ## Keep evidence - Each supplier's acknowledgement of the current supplier quality manual - The PO revision and the clauses on it - Approved sources for special processes, with their certifications - Supplier change notifications and your approvals Our guides to [special processes](https://factoryqa.com/resources/controlling-special-processes), [counterfeit parts](https://factoryqa.com/resources/counterfeit-parts-prevention) and the [supplier qualification checklist](https://factoryqa.com/resources/supplier-qualification-checklist) cover the controls behind several of these clauses. In FactoryQA you publish your supplier quality manual as a versioned document; approving a new revision emails every active supplier a link to download and acknowledge it, and the acknowledgement status of each supplier is tracked. Supplier certificates, including Nadcap and other special process approvals, are tracked with expiry dates. See [Supplier Quality](https://factoryqa.com/products/supplier-management). ## Frequently asked questions ### What does AS9100 flow-down mean? Passing the applicable requirements of your customer and of AS9100 clause 8.4.3 to your suppliers, usually through purchase order clauses and a supplier quality manual, and requiring them to pass them to their own suppliers. ### Do I need to flow down every customer clause? No, only the ones that apply to what each supplier does. A heat treater needs the special process and record requirements; a fastener distributor needs counterfeit and traceability requirements. ### Is a supplier quality manual enough for flow-down? It helps, but the purchase order should still reference it at a stated revision and carry the part-specific requirements: revisions, key characteristics, first article and certification needs. ### Does CMMC flow down to subcontractors? When a subcontractor will process, store or transmit federal contract information or controlled unclassified information, the CMMC requirements generally flow down at the appropriate level. Check the clause in your contract. ### What evidence do auditors look for? The PO and its clauses, the supplier's acknowledgement of your supplier quality manual, approved special process sources, and records of supplier change notifications and approvals. Keep reading ## More from Resources [Comparison**Best QMS software for machine shops and job shops (2026)**Nine QMS options for machine shops and job shops compared from vendor websites: pricing, AS9102 and ballooning, SPC, supplier portals and ERP fit.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/best-qms-software-for-job-shops)[Supplier quality**Incoming inspection for machine shops**A receiving inspection procedure for machine shops: paperwork checks, risk-based sampling with Z1.4 or c=0 plans, accept or reject, and supplier feedback.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/incoming-inspection-procedure)[Guide**MRB and dispositions: use as is, rework, repair, scrap**How a material review board decides on nonconforming parts: use as is, rework, repair, return, regrade or scrap, and what AS9100 requires for each.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/mrb-dispositions-guide) ## Try it on your own process: start free. 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