Civil aviation: common rules, European Aviation Safety Agency

PURPOSE : to lay down common rules on aircraft safety. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Regulation 1592/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency. CONTENT : The principal objective of this Regulation is to establish and maintain a high uniform level of civil aviation safety in Europe. Additional objectives are: -to ensure a high uniform level of environmental protection; -to facilitate the free movement of goods and services; -to promote cost-efficiency in the regulatory and certification processes and to avoid duplication at national and European level. -to help Member States to fulfil their obligations under the Chicago Convention, by providing a basis for a common interpretation and uniform implementation of its provisions; -to promote Community views regarding civil aviation safety standards and rules throughout the world by establishing appropriate co-operation with third countries and international organisations. The means of achieving the objectives are: -the preparation and uniform application of all necessary acts; -the recognition of certificates granted to products and personnel in accordance with this Regulation; -the establishment of the independent European Aviation Safety Agency -the uniform implementation of all acts by the national aviation authorities and the Agency within their respective areas of responsibility. The following must comply with the Regulation, unless their regulatory safety oversight has been delegated to a third country and they are not used by a Community operator: Aircraft, including any installed product, part and appliance which are: -designed or manufactured by an organisation for which the Agency or Member State ensures safety oversight -registered in a Member State; or -registered in a third country and used by an operator for which any Member State ensures oversight of operations. The European Aviation Safety Agency ("the Agency") is charged with dealing with airworthiness and environmental certification, as well as undertaking any task within the scope of the Regulation. It also has the power to conduct standardisation inspections of Member States competent authorities. The Agency will undertake certification tasks as from 28 September 2003. Until that date, Member States continue to implement the applicable rules. There are provisions regarding the staffing and functioning of the Agency, including the powers and composition of the management board. The Executive Officer will be appointed by the management board, which will take its decision by a three-quarters majority of its members. Agency revenues will consist of: -a contribution from the Community and from any European third country with which the Community has concluded relevant agreements; -the fees paid by applicants for, and holders of, certificatesand approvals issued by the Agency; and -charges for publication, training and any other services provided by the Agency. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 20/09/02�