AFENDA FrANDTB

What AFENDA FrANDTB does

AFENDA FrANDTB (Association Française pour les Essais Non Destructifs dans l'industrie Aérospatiale) is a French non-profit association founded in 1979 that serves as the French Aerospace Non-Destructive Testing Board (FrANDTB) under EN 4179 and NAS 410 international standards. It operates the sole national qualification and certification system for aerospace NDT personnel in France, administering standardized examinations at Levels 1, 2, and 3 across eight NDT methods: Eddy Current (ET), Magnetic Particle (MT), Liquid Penetrant (PT), Radiography/Radioscopy (RT), Ultrasonic (UT), Thermography (TT), Shearography (ST), and Leak Testing (LT). The association holds NADCAP accreditation (valid through July 2025) and DGAC recognition (dated June 2025), and is a founding member of the European NANDTB Forum under EFNDT.

The association's core technology is the FrANDTB Certification System — a comprehensive qualification framework whose digital backbone is the GERICCO platform, developed in partnership with COFREND, which manages exam dossiers, candidate applications, and the credit-based Level 3 recertification system. Certification delivery is operationalized through a network of 7 approved examination centers and 3 approved training centers across France, including sites operated by Safran, Testia, IFAT, Aubert & Duval, Nexteam Ussel, the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace, and the central Centre FrANDTB. Supporting infrastructure includes official procedures documentation (CER-FrANDTB-PR series), an MP (Materials Products) training program, sector-specific training for all NDT methods, annual Level 3 technical assemblies, and an educational comic book on NDT methods produced with Safran Aircraft Engines.

Revenue is generated through certification and requalification examination fees (priced via annually published TARIFS documents), oversight of approved training centers, and association membership services delivered primarily to GIFAS member companies and their suppliers. The go-to-market is sales-led and ecosystem-mediated: candidates apply via the GERICCO platform and sit exams at approved centers, while the association engages members through the GIFAS network, an annual Level 3 assembly, its website (afenda.org), and a LinkedIn presence. The customer base is concentrated in the French aerospace and defense sectors, including Airbus, Safran, Dassault Aviation, ArianeGroup, and the French Air and Space Force. As a non-profit, AFENDA FrANDTB is governed by a Board of Directors and a Technical Committee, with no parent company, subsidiaries, or external funding rounds.

Name

AFENDA FrANDTB

Legal name

AFENDA FRANDTB

Website

https://afenda.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AFENDA FrANDTB is the French non-profit Aerospace Non-Destructive Testing Board, founded 1979, that certifies and qualifies NDT personnel for the French aerospace and defense industry under EN 4179/NAS 410 standards across eight methods and three levels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Suresnes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification and Qualification Fees: Fees charged for qualification and requalification examinations at Levels 1, 2, and 3 across all NDT methods. Pricing schedules are published annually (TARIFS 2025, TARIFS 2026).
2. Training Administration: Management and oversight of approved training centers, with fees for training programs in specific aerospace NDT methods.
3. Association Membership Services: Services provided primarily to GIFAS member companies and their suppliers, including administrative management of qualifications, certifications, and recertifications in coordination with employers, the FrANDTB, and approved exam centers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AFENDA FrANDTB provides qualification and certification examinations for non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel in the French aerospace industry under EN 4179 and NAS 410 standards. It administers exams across eight NDT methods (ET, MT, PT, RT, UT, TT, ST, LT) at Levels 1, 2, and 3 through a national network of approved exam and training centers, with GERICCO-based dossier management. It also publishes procedural documentation, recognizes approved training programs, and supports workforce mobility with internationally recognized aerospace NDT credentials.

Product overview

AFENDA FrANDTB (Association Française pour les Essais Non Destructifs dans l'industrie Aérospatiale) is a non-profit association that serves as the French Aerospace NDT Board (FrANDTB) under EN 4179/NAS 410 standards. The organization does not offer a unified software product but rather provides a portfolio of certification, qualification, and training services. Its core offerings include certification examinations for eight NDT methods: ET (Eddy Current Testing), MT (Magnetic Particle Testing), PT (Liquid Penetrant Testing), RT (Radiography/Radioscopy), UT (Ultrasonic Testing), TT (Thermography), ST (Shearography), and LT (Leak Testing), available at Levels 1, 2, and 3. These certification services are delivered through a network of 7 approved examination centers and 3 approved training centers. Supporting services include the GERICCO exam management platform, official procedures documentation (CER series), sector-specific training programs (MP - Materials Products), annual Level 3 assemblies, and an explanatory NDT comic book produced with Safran Aircraft Engines. The organization operates under DGAC recognition and NADCAP accreditation, with most activities serving GIFAS member companies and their suppliers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ET – Eddy Current Testing Certification (Courants de Foucault) Qualification and certification examinations for Eddy Current Testing personnel at Levels 1, 2, and 3 in the French aerospace sector under EN 4179/NAS 410. Covers high-frequency surface crack detection, borehole defect detection, conductivity measurement, and pulsed/multi-frequency/multi-channel techniques.
• MT – Magnetic Particle Testing Certification (Magnétoscopie) Qualification and certification examinations for Magnetic Particle Testing personnel at Levels 1, 2, and 3 for aerospace applications under EN 4179/NAS 410, covering magnetization techniques, magnetic liquid application, and UV radiation conditions.
• PT – Liquid Penetrant Testing Certification (Ressuage) Qualification and certification examinations for Liquid Penetrant Testing personnel at Levels 1, 2, and 3 under EN 4179/NAS 410. Covers penetrant application methods, emulsification, developer use, UV radiation, and defect interpretation for aerospace manufacturing and maintenance.
• RT – Radiography / Radioscopy X Certification Qualification and certification examinations for ionizing radiation testing (radiography and radioscopy) at Levels 1, 2, and 3 under EN 4179/NAS 410, covering X-ray physics, imaging techniques, metal and composite material inspection, and maintenance applications.
• UT – Ultrasonic Testing Certification (Ultrasons) Qualification and certification examinations for Ultrasonic Testing at Levels 1, 2, and 3 under EN 4179/NAS 410, covering contact and immersion techniques, focused transducers, DAC calibration, and composite/bond inspection for aerospace materials.
• TT – Infrared Thermography Certification (Thermographie) Qualification and certification examinations for Infrared Thermography at Levels 1 and 2, covering active and passive techniques, reflection and transmission methods, IR camera operation, and stimulation devices for aerospace applications.
• ST – Shearography Certification (Shearographie) Qualification and certification examinations for Shearography at Levels 1, 2, and 3, covering laser-based optical NDT for composite, adhesive bond, and elastomer inspection under thermal, vibratory, and mechanical stress conditions.
• LT – Leak Testing Certification (Etanchéité) Qualification and certification examinations for Leak Testing at Levels 1 and 2, covering gaseous pressure testing, pressure variation measurement, halogen and helium detection methods for aerospace components.
• MP – Materials Products Training Program (Matériaux Produits) Sector-specific training program covering aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, forming techniques, heat treatments, assembly methods, corrosion, defect types, and quality assurance for NDT personnel seeking FrANDTB certification.
• FrANDTB Sector-Specific Training Programs (all NDT methods) Approved training programs for all NDT methods (ET, MT, PT, RT, UT, IRT, ST, LT) at Levels 1, 2, and 3, developed and approved by AFENDA FrANDTB technical committees and delivered through approved training centers.
• Approved Examination Centers Network (Centres d'Examens Agréés) Network of 7 approved examination centers across France (Safran N°B, Testia N°C, IFAT N°F, Aubert & Duval N°G, Nexteam Ussel N°I, French Air and Space Force N°J, and Centre FrANDTB N°A in Blagnac) delivering practical and theoretical NDT exams across all methods and levels under FrANDTB governance.
• Approved Training Centers Network (Centres de Formations Agréées) Network of approved training centers including Safran, Testia, and the French Air and Space Force, delivering sector-specific NDT training aligned with FrANDTB certification requirements at Levels 1, 2, and 3.
• GERICCO Exam Management System Online platform, operated jointly with COFREND, for managing NDT certification exam dossiers, candidate registration, scheduling, and administrative processes for AFENDA FrANDTB qualifications and requalifications. Includes a credit-based recertification module for Level 3 personnel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 45 years of continuous operation as French aerospace NDT certification body
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• GIFAS (Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIFAS is the primary stakeholder group served by FrANDTB. The majority of FrANDTB services are delivered to GIFAS member companies and their suppliers. FrANDTB is embedded within the GIFAS industrial ecosystem for aerospace NDT personnel certification.
• COFREND (Confédération Française pour les Essais Non Destructifs)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with COFREND for the GERICCO digital platform managing exam registration and certification dossiers. COFREND operates the certification database used by FrANDTB for candidate management.
• EFNDT (European Federation of Non-Destructive Testing)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrANDTB is a founding member of the European NANDTB Forum under EFNDT, participating in international NDT standards harmonization and best practice development across Europe.
• SAFRANcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSAFRAN operates an approved exam center (N°B) and training center for NDT certification. SAFRAN is both a major customer and a certified provider within the FrANDTB network.
• TESTIAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTESTIA operates approved exam center (N°C) and training center offering all major NDT methods (PT, MT, ET, UT, RT, IRT) for Levels 1, 2, and 3.
• IFATcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIFAT operates approved exam center (N°F) providing LT (Etancheite/Leak Testing) certification with double ISO 9712 / EN4179 certification capability.
• AUBERT & DUVALcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAUBERT & DUVAL operates approved exam center (N°G) at Les Ancizes site offering PT, MT, UT methods with double ISO 9712 / EN4179 certification capability.
• NEXTEAM USSELminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEXTEAM USSEL operates approved exam center (N°I) providing PT and RT certification for the Elaboration domain.
• ARMEE DE L'AIR ET DE L'ESPACE (French Air and Space Force)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench Air and Space Force operates both approved exam center (N°J) and training center at Base Aérienne 721 in Rochefort, offering PT, MT, ET, UT, RT methods for Fabrication and Maintenance domains.
• DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority) has officially recognized AFENDA FrANDTB for NDT personnel qualification, providing regulatory backing for aerospace NDT certification in France.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• COFREND: French NDT confederation and operator of the GERICCO platform used by AFENDA FrANDTB. Comparable as a French NDT ecosystem organization, though broader (all industries) and complementary rather than directly competing on aerospace certification.
• EFNDT (European Federation for Non-Destructive Testing): European umbrella organization for NDT societies and the parent body of the European NANDTB Forum. Comparable as a coordinating institution for national NDT certification bodies, including AFENDA FrANDTB.

Broad incumbents

• ASNT (American Society for Nondestructive Testing): Largest US-based professional society for NDT personnel qualification, certification, and standards. Comparable as a national NDT certification ecosystem, but broader (not aerospace-specific) and US-focused.

Emerging players

• TESTIA (Airbus subsidiary): Airbus-owned NDT training and services entity operating as an approved FrANDTB exam and training center (Centre N°C). Comparable as a provider of aerospace NDT training and certification services within the FrANDTB ecosystem.

Regional players

• BINDT (British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing): UK-based professional institute for NDT, providing certification and qualification services aligned with PCN/ISO 9712. Comparable as a national NDT certification body in a different geography, with overlapping standards but not direct competition in France.
• DGZfP (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung): German national NDT society offering certification, training, and standards across industrial sectors. Comparable as a national NDT qualification body and member of EFNDT, with overlapping scope but focused on the German market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afenda

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AFENDA FrANDTB