In the mid-1960s, FMEA techniques were formally used in the aerospace industry (Apollo program);
In 1976, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a military standard for FMEA, but it was limited to design.
In the late 1970s, FMEA techniques were introduced to the automotive and medical device industries.
In the early 1980s, it entered the microelectronics industry.
In the mid-1980s, the automotive industry began to apply process FMEA to identify its manufacturing processes.
In 1988, the FAA issued an advisory circular requiring the use of FMEA for the design and analysis of all aerospace systems.
In 1991, ISO-9000 recommended the use of FMEA to improve the design of products and processes.
In 1994, FMEA became a QS-9000 certification requirement.