On September 15, the Agency signed an Agreement for the technical implementation procedures for airworthiness and environment certification with the FAA. By allowing the authorities to rely on each other's regulatory systems, the agreement eliminates duplicative processes, get safety enhancing equipment installed on aircraft more quickly, and save time and money for both industry and the regulatory authorities involved.
Strong partnerships are key to establishing consistent standards of safety around the world. Based on more than a decade of cooperation with FAA, the authorities have established confidence in each other's regulatory systems. Rooted in that confidence, the new safety agreement allows reciprocal acceptance of the majority of European Technical Standard Order (ETSO)-approved articles.
The new agreement with FAA also facilitates acceptance of the classification for Basic Supplemental Type Certificates (STC's). An audit process will ensure that technical classifications continue to meet established criteria, and gauge continued competency.
The framework to support these changes can be found in FAA-EASA Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement, Revision 5 of the Technical Implementation Procedures.
Learn more about this latest certification reform initiative by visiting the EASA's online frequently asked questions (FAQ) page.