Policy statements

In the course of its certification duties, the Agency communicates with Type Certificate holders about ongoing developments in certification policy, typically on specific subjects. The letters and related policies or guidance material are archived here.

Applicability Policy Statement Reference Abstract Date Document
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) E.Y013-01 This policy establishes general principles for type-certification (including environmental protection) of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The policy complies with the current provisions of The Basic Regulation, Regulation (EC) No 1702/2003 and all Management Board Decisions relating to product certification. Where existing certification procedures are at variance to this policy, the policy will take precedence and certification procedures will be amended accordingly. This policy shall be used by the Agency's staff when certificating UAS. The policy represents a first step in the development of comprehensive civil UAS regulation and may be regarded as providing guidance to Part--21 Subpart B of Regulation (EC) No 1702/2003: Type-certificates and restricted type-certificates. This policy statement is therefore an interim solution to aid acceptance and standardisation of UAS certification procedures and will be replaced in due course by AMC and guidance material to Part-21 when more experience has been gained. The background documents related to the development of the policy are: - Advance - Notice Of Proposed Amendment (A-NPA) No 16/2005, Policy for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) certification; - Comment Response Document (CRD) to Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) 16-2005: Policy For Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Certification; - Explanatory Note to CRD 16/2005. 25/08/2009 Policy Statement - Airworthiness Certification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Products, Parts and Appliances C.Y001-01 The distribution of responsibilities between the European Aviation Safety Agency and Member States as specified by the Basic Regulation has triggered many discussions on the issuing of airworthiness directives. It is feared in particular that a too narrow interpretation of Agency's responsibilities towards continuing airworthiness creates loop-holes and therefore safety gaps.

This policy recalls the applicable legal framework under Regulation (EC) No. 216/2008 and Annex 8 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and provides the newly established Agency policy within those legal boundaries.		 29/07/2008 EASA Airworthiness Directive Policy
Large Aeroplanes EASA D 2006/CPRO/ In recent years the aviation industry has experienced a number of incidents or accidents involving fuel tank explosions. These experiences suggest that on some aircraft types, the fuel tank system installation does not provide as high a level of protection against explosion as had been expected.

D 2006/CPRO revises the previous policy statement document D 2005/CPRO. Note that the guidance material section remains valid and is unchanged.		 08/03/2006 EASA policy statement on the process for developing instructions for maintenance and inspection of fuel tank system ignition source prevention
Large Aeroplanes INT/POL/25/12

EASA D 2005/CPRO/
 In recent years the aviation industry has experienced a number of incidents or accidents involving fuel tank explosions. These experiences suggest that on some aircraft types, the fuel tank system installation does not provide as high a level of protection against explosion as had been expected.
This document provides guidelines on the interpretation and implementation of JAA fuel tank safety policy, recommending a common approach for continued airworthiness of Fuel Systems. This guidance material applies to those aeroplanes identified in paragraph 4, which has applicability to Type Certificate/ Supplemental Type certificate/Major modification holders and in addition to Operators, continuing airworthiness management organisations and maintenance organisations.		 05/08/2005 EASA policy statement on the process for developing instructions for maintenance and inspection of fuel tank system ignition source prevention