EASA - Overview

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is an agency of the European Union (EU) with responsibility for civil aviation safety. It carries out certification, regulation and standardisation and also performs investigation and monitoring. EASA based in Cologne, Germany, the agency was created on 15 July 2002,and reached full functionality in 2008, taking over functions of the Joint Aviation Authorities. European Free Trade Association countries have been granted participation in the agency. The United Kingdom will also remain a member until the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020.

EASA-Roles

EASA states that their mission is to promote the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation. These are EASA roles: 

• Type-certification of aircraft and components, as well as the approval of organisations involved in the design, manufacture and maintenance of aeronautical products;
• Advice to the EU on the drafting new legislation;
• Developing, implementing and monitoring safety rules, including inspections in the Member States;
• Certification of personnel and organisations involved in the operation of aircraft;
• Authorisation of third-country (non EU) operators, and, so on.

EASA- how it works

The Agency applies transparent procedures for the adoption of opinions, acceptable means of compliance and guidance material. These procedures ensure the use of the relevant expertise, wide consultation of all interested parties and the right of each Member State to be associated with the adoption process. Special procedures allow the Agency to take immediate action in case of safety problems. Similar transparent procedures apply in the case of individual decisions. The Agency and the qualified entities acting on its behalf may undertake the inspections and investigations necessary in order to perform the tasks assigned to them. The Agency conducts inspections in the Member States to verify that safety regulations and the implementing rules are applied correctly at national level.