Safety is paramount in aviation. But how do we ensure Safety within such a complex environment?
The aviation industry is constantly changing in terms of Technology, Complexity and also the various interconnected changes between multiple stakeholders. “Aviation Safety” is a dynamic concept, since new safety hazards and risks associated with these changes are continuously emerging, and need to be mitigated.
ICAO SARPs – ANNEX 19
During the ICAO High-level Safety Conference of 2010, the development of an additional Annex, containing SARPs dedicated to Safety Management, was proposed. The benefits of a functional Safety Management System were identified for authorities and organisations. Finish the game below as a revision of these benefits.
As an outcome of this conference, the Air Navigation Commission recommended that the development of the new Annex, Annex 19, should follow a two-phased approach. The focus of the first phase was to establish the safety management annex through the consolidation and reorganisation of already existing SARPS.
The second phase of the development of Annex 19 was completed with the adoption of the Amendment 1 to the annex. Amendment 1 was adopted by the ICAO Council on 2 March 2016, and became applicable on 7th November 2019.
You can look for further information on the ICAO website available from this link.
This website complements the ICAO Safety Management Manual and provides examples, tools and supporting educational material, to address the diverse needs of the aviation community.
As regulators, National Authorities or designated agencies like EASA, must follow ICAO SARPs and set regulations to rule and support the implementation of Safety Management Systems throughout the industry. As of 2022, within the EASA region, the following regulations require the implementation of Safety Management Systems:
- Initial Airworthiness
- Continuing Airworthiness,
- Aircrew,
- Air Operations,
- Air Traffic Management – Air Navigation Services,
- Aerodromes, and,
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems
SMS will eventually be implemented industry-wide. At the national level, each authority can add further regulations, guidance, or requirements which are more stringent than EASA published regulations.