A framework for the attestation of Air Traffic Management / Air Navigation Services (ATM/ANS) is in place
since September 2023.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1768 lays down detailed rules for the conformity assessment of
ATM/ANS equipment and introduces three types of attestation, depending on the type of equipment:
- ATM/ANS equipment 'Certificate' for equipment under Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1768;
- ATM/ANS equipment 'Declaration of Design Compliance' for equipment under Article 5 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1768; and
- ATM/ANS equipment 'Statement of Compliance' for equipment under Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1768.
For equipment under Articles 4 or 5 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1768, the organisation involved in the design or
production of such ATM/ANS equipment needs to be approved in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU)
2023/1769. See also the Detailed Specifications for Certification or Declaration of Design Compliance of ATM/ANS
Ground Equipment (DS-GE.CER/DEC) page.
ATM/ANS equipment certification — process overview
Article 4 equipment as per Regulation (EU) 2023/1768
The design or production organisation (DPO) approval holder applies to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for certification of the ATM/ANS equipment using the Application Form FO.CERT.00167. Together with the application form, the DPO approval holder sends the certification programme to EASA. For further guidance, see the certification programme template.
EASA is responsible for the oversight of the demonstration of compliance of ATM/ANS equipment subject to Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1768.
The applicant's final data package concludes with the demonstration of compliance by delivering the 'Declaration of Design Performance' (DDP) of the Article 4 ATM/ANS equipment, signed by the applicant’s accountable manager for Design or Production Organisation Approval (DPOA). For further guidance on the final DDP document, see the DDP template.
After EASA investigation and concurrence on the compliance, EASA issues the ATM/ANS equipment 'Certificate'.
ATM/ANS equipment declaration of design compliance — process overview
Article 5 equipment as per Regulation (EU) 2023/1768
For Article 5 ATM/ANS equipment, the DPO approval holder applies for registration of the 'Declaration of Design Compliance' (DDC) using the Application form FO.CERT.00175 and submitting the DDC, signed by the applicant’s DPOA accountable manager. For further guidance, see the DDC template.
After EASA review and concurrence on the DDC, EASA registers the DDC and publishes it on the EASA website.
Note for Article 6 equipment as per Regulation (EU) 2023/1768
The Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP) is responsible for issuing a Statement of Compliance (SoC) for that ATM/ANS equipment, or requests a DPO-approved organisation to issue the Soc. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/1768, the oversight of the SoC issuance is performed by the National Competent Authority (NCA) responsible for the certification and oversight of the ANSP (as established by Regulation (EU) 2017/373) For guidance on the content of the SoC, see the SoC template.
Transition period until 12 September 2028 (Regulation (EU) 2023/1768)
ATM/ANS equipment that is subject to certification in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1768 or a DDC in accordance with Article 5 may be put into operation from the date of entry into force of said Regulation until 12 September 2028 on the basis of a SoC made in accordance with Article 6.
EASA Detailed Specifications applicable to Articles 4, 5 and 6 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1768 on ATM/ANS equipment
The EASA Detailed Specifications (DSs) lay down technical requirements applicable to certified equipment, declared equipment, or equipment issued with a SoC:
- Detailed Specifications for Certification or Declaration of Design Compliance of ATM/ANS Ground Equipment (DS-GE.CER/DEC); and
- Detailed Specifications for Statement of Compliance of ATM/ANS Ground Equipment (DS-GE.SoC).
To ease the use of the certification basis into further applications for a Certificate, DDP, DDC or SoC, a taxonomy to define the attestation basis has been introduced in relation to the above-mentioned DSs. See Guidance on Taxonomy for DS-GE.CER-DEC Issue 1 & DS-GE.SoC Issue 1.
Deviation request — process overview
As per Regulation (EU) 2023/1768, the DPO applicant may request a deviation for ATM/ANS equipment subject to Articles 4 and 5 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1768, provided that there is a demonstrated equivalent level of safety, performance, and interoperability.
After investigation, EASA publishes on the EASA website for public consultation a consultation paper for the deviation request.
