EC gets involved with UAS certification
The EUROPEAN COMMISSION has authorized, see below article, a private entity, EU Drone Port, as a NOTIFIED BODY (NB) to certificate uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). Where is EASA and what is an NB authorized to do?
Though EASA tends to extend its jurisdiction to all of the Member States, the COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2019/945 does not require harmonized standards for compliance, (i.e. Each member country may issue its own UAS certification standards). As to UASs, Notified Bodies (NBs) act within the scope of European Directives/Regulations.
An NB, a testing laboratory, must demonstrate its competence by accreditation according to EN ISO 17025, which sets the criteria for the testing and calibration laboratories. This standard does not affect the certification body that must comply with EN ISO 17065. The NB assesses what the applicable essential requirements are met and that the level of safety is equivalent to that which exists using harmonized standards where these exist.
The NB is there to authorize UAS aircraft to fly between and among the Member States. These organizations are designated to assess the conformity of certain products before being placed on the market. These bodies carry out tasks related to conformity assessment procedures set out in the applicable legislation, when a third party is required. The European Commission publishes a list of such notified bodies.
REGULATIONS REGULATION (EU) 2018/1139 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 4 July 2018
on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency, and amending Regulations (EC) No 2111/2005, (EC) No 1008/2008, (EU) No 996/2010,
(EU) No 376/2014 and Directives 2014/30/EU and 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of
the Council, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 552/2004 and (EC) No 216/2008 of the European
Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91
(4) It would not be appropriate to subject all aircraft to common rules. In particular, in light of their limited risk to civil aviation safety, aircraft that are of simple design or operate mainly on a local basis, and those which are home-built or particularly rare or only exist in a small number, should remain under the regulatory control of the Member States, without any obligation under this Regulation on other Member States to recognise such national arrangements. However, in order to facilitate the development of national rules for aircraft falling outside the scope of this Regulation, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (‘the Agency’) can adopt guidance material for that purpose.
(5) However, provision should be made for the possibility to apply certain provisions under this Regulation to certain types of aircraft which are otherwise excluded from the scope of this Regulation, especially those which are produced in an industrial manner and which could benefit from free circulation within the Union. Therefore, organisations involved in the design of such aircraft should be allowed to apply for a type certificate to the Agency or, if applicable, to make a declaration to the Agency in respect of an aircraft type which is to be put on the market by such organisations.
[Followed by 122 pages defining those standards.
The EC explains:
Conformity assessment is a service to manufacturers in an area of public interest. It is the responsibility of the EU country to notify conformity assessment bodies within their jurisdiction according to principles laid down in Decision 768/2008/EC. Notified bodies
…
- must employ the necessary personnel, with sufficient knowledge and experience to carry out the conformity assessment in accordance with the law(s) in question
…
- must provide information to their notifying authority, the market surveillance authorities, and other notified bodies
The EC/EU language is unfamiliar; so, the best parallel for the NB in the United States can be found with a DAR. DER of ODA. The NBs are laboratories, WITH TESTING FACILITIES AND CAPABILITIES, pilot training/licensing capabilities plus can consult for private entities in this same market. THE INTERESTING QUESTION IS WHETHER THE NBs MAY CHARGE FOR THE CERTIFICATION?
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EU Drone Port is now an official drone certification body
Ishveena Singh | Jun 25 2024 – 5:54 am PT
EU Drone Port, a specialized testing center based in Barcelona, has been officially recognized by the European Commission as a NOTIFIED BODY FOR DRONE CERTIFICATION. This recognition follows accreditation by the National Accreditation Entity and notification by the State Aviation Safety Agency, making it one of five drone certification gateways in Europe.
A new European regulation, that came into effect in January 2024, mandates that ALL DRONE MANUFACTURERS UNDERGO A RIGOROUS CERTIFICATION PROCESS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF DRONES OPERATING IN EUROPEAN AIRSPACE. As such, any drone manufacturer wishing to market their aircraft in the European Union and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) needs to rope in a certification body recognized by the European Commission. This list now includes the 2021-founded EU Drone Port.
In Europe, drones are classified into seven categories, from the smallest to those weighing 25 kg for specific tasks. EU Drone Port is one of the only two certification bodies capable of certifying all seven categories. CERTIFICATIONS ISSUED BY EU DRONE PORT WILL NOW BE RECOGNIZED BY ALL NATIONAL AUTHORITIES WITHIN EUROPE AND EFTA. Additionally, through international agreements, their reports and certificates will be recognized by accreditation bodies in over 100 countries worldwide.
“We are incredibly proud of this achievement,” says Marc Beltran, CEO of EU Drone Port. “This type of recognition is usually reserved for laboratories with more than 20,000 employees. However, we have demonstrated that determination and perseverance are key. We look forward to evaluating drones from around the world and contributing to the safety and professionalism of the drone sector in Europe.”
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