Approvals & Standardisation Directorate

The Approvals and Standardisation Directorate is responsible for ensuring that the EU aviation safety legislation is properly, uniformly and consistently applied (Articles 24, 54 and 55 of the Basic Regulation). This role covers the inspections for standardisation of the National Aviation Authorities (NAAs). In addition, inspections to NAAs are also performed by the Directorate in the context of the accreditation process for allocation of certification tasks.

The Directorate also focuses on the approval and oversight of organisations, specifically the Design, Production, and Continued Airworthiness Organisations, within the scope of Art. 20 of the Basic Regulation.

The Approvals and Standardisation Directorate also provides technical training, which is essential to achieve overall consistency and high standards, and is furthermore tasked from January 2007 with the management and coordination of the Community SAFA system.

Approvals and Standardisation Director

Trevor WOODS, Approvals and Standardisation Director

Standardisation

This department ensures that the standardisation inspections of National Aviation Authorities (NAAs) are carried out effectively and in accordance with the relevant regulations, and tries to ensure in this regard the best communication and interface with the Commission and the other Directorates' of the Agency. The primary objectives are to :

  • Conduct intensive standardisation inspections both for initial and continuing airworthiness;
  • Coordinate the JAA standardisation activities on OPS and FCL (2007-2008) until the entry into force of the relevant Implementing Rules, after which it will conduct standardisation inspections on behalf of the Commission;
  • Prepare itself for the envisaged extension of the scope of the Agency in the fields of Aerodromes and ATM/ANS when it will also perform inspection missions;
  • Conduct International standardisation audits related with Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements or Working Arrangements;
  • Provide assistance to the certification and approval activities by performing the accreditation exercise required by the MB Decision 04/2009.

Organisation Approvals

The organisations approvals activities consist of approving organisations responsible for production, maintenance, maintenance training and continued airworthiness management located outside the territory of the Member States, and design organisations wherever located. Other activities also consist of approving production organisations located in the territory of one or more Member States, if requested by the Member State(s) concerned, and last but not least ensuring the continuous compliance of approved organisations by performing appropriate oversight.

In addition, with the extension of the remit, the department will also approve and oversee Flight Crew Licensing organizations (TRTO, FTO and AeMC) located outside the territory of an EASA Member States.

Technical training

This department provides technical training to all EASA Staff, which is essential to achieve overall consistency in the application of the standards. More precisely, it is tasked to:

  • Define and deliver technical training to Agency's staff and NAA standardisation inspectors using internal and external resources;
  • Define and implement the Legislation learning for external stakeholders - E-examination;
  • Provide external training - NAAs' staff only, sharing courses for the Agency's staff, etc.;
  • Define SAFA Training syllabi;
  • Provide training staff affected by bilateral and working arrangements (e.g. BASA training);
  • Manage the Agency's technical library;

Operators

This newly established department ensures that the SAFA programme is properly implemented and maintained in accordance with the relevant regulation, including development of training programmes and standardisation of NAA inspectors.

In addition, within the scope of Art. 23 of the Basic regulation, it issues authorisations to Third Country Operators wishing to fly into the EASA airspace and land in one of the EASA countries.