Can I, as a DOA holder, approve a design change based on a design approval issued outside the EU?
Answer
No, a design organisation approval only entitles the holder to perform design activities, and only within the scope of approval detailed in the terms of approval. Some privileges can be included in the mentioned terms of approval that allow the holder to carry out activities without the direct involvement of the Agency. The privileges are always related to designs that are done by the DOA holder, with the involvement of design subcontractors when needed and so decided, and never to designs done by others. A privilege to approve design changes done by others does not exist.
Thus, even though the design approval by the DOA cannot be based on such a prior design approval, it can be based on the design and compliance data, provided a proper subcontracting agreement is established.