Aeronautical Certification – Frequently Asked Question
What is aeronautical certification?
Aeronautical certification is the regulated process of demonstrating that an aeronautical product, system, equipment, design change, repair, or organisation complies with the applicable regulatory, safety, airworthiness and environmental protection requirements.
Under the EASA regulatory framework, certification is not limited to aircraft. Part-21 covers the certification of aircraft and related products, parts and appliances, as well as the approval of design and production organisations.
Certification is based on a structured demonstration of compliance. It typically involves establishing the applicable certification basis, defining a certification programme, selecting appropriate means of compliance, conducting the required analyses, tests and assessments, and producing the evidence necessary to demonstrate compliance.
The certification process may ultimately lead to the issuance or approval of a Type Certificate, Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), design change or repair approval, European Technical Standard Order (ETSO) authorisation, or other applicable approval or declaration.
At R&R Consulting, we support our clients throughout the certification process, from the definition of the certification strategy and certification basis through compliance planning, compliance demonstration and interaction with the relevant authorities and stakeholders.
Under the EASA regulatory framework, certification is not limited to aircraft. Part-21 covers the certification of aircraft and related products, parts and appliances, as well as the approval of design and production organisations.
Certification is based on a structured demonstration of compliance. It typically involves establishing the applicable certification basis, defining a certification programme, selecting appropriate means of compliance, conducting the required analyses, tests and assessments, and producing the evidence necessary to demonstrate compliance.
The certification process may ultimately lead to the issuance or approval of a Type Certificate, Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), design change or repair approval, European Technical Standard Order (ETSO) authorisation, or other applicable approval or declaration.
At R&R Consulting, we support our clients throughout the certification process, from the definition of the certification strategy and certification basis through compliance planning, compliance demonstration and interaction with the relevant authorities and stakeholders.
What is a Certification Basis?
The Certification Basis is the set of applicable technical and regulatory requirements against which compliance is demonstrated for a particular product, design change or approval project.
Under the EASA framework, the Certification Basis may include the applicable Certification Specifications (CS), environmental protection requirements and, where applicable, special conditions, equivalent safety findings, deviations or other applicable provisions.
The Certification Basis establishes the regulatory framework against which the applicant must demonstrate compliance. It therefore represents one of the fundamental foundations of any certification project.
For a design change, the applicable Certification Basis may be derived from the requirements incorporated into the existing Type Certificate and may need to be established or adjusted depending on the nature and significance of the change.
A clearly defined and controlled Certification Basis is essential for establishing an effective certification strategy and ensuring that all applicable requirements are addressed.
Under the EASA framework, the Certification Basis may include the applicable Certification Specifications (CS), environmental protection requirements and, where applicable, special conditions, equivalent safety findings, deviations or other applicable provisions.
The Certification Basis establishes the regulatory framework against which the applicant must demonstrate compliance. It therefore represents one of the fundamental foundations of any certification project.
For a design change, the applicable Certification Basis may be derived from the requirements incorporated into the existing Type Certificate and may need to be established or adjusted depending on the nature and significance of the change.
A clearly defined and controlled Certification Basis is essential for establishing an effective certification strategy and ensuring that all applicable requirements are addressed.
What is a Certification Programme?
A Certification Programme is the structured plan used to define how compliance with the applicable Certification Basis will be demonstrated.
It identifies the applicable requirements, the proposed Means of Compliance (MoC), the relevant Compliance Demonstration Items (CDIs), the associated compliance documentation and, where applicable, the planned interaction with EASA.
The Certification Programme also provides the framework for planning certification activities, establishing milestones, managing interfaces between technical disciplines and maintaining traceability between requirements and compliance evidence.
For projects involving EASA, the Certification Programme is submitted for the Agency's acceptance where required and is maintained and updated throughout the certification process.
An effective Certification Programme is therefore both a technical and a project-management tool, ensuring that certification activities remain structured, traceable and aligned with the agreed certification objectives.
It identifies the applicable requirements, the proposed Means of Compliance (MoC), the relevant Compliance Demonstration Items (CDIs), the associated compliance documentation and, where applicable, the planned interaction with EASA.
The Certification Programme also provides the framework for planning certification activities, establishing milestones, managing interfaces between technical disciplines and maintaining traceability between requirements and compliance evidence.
For projects involving EASA, the Certification Programme is submitted for the Agency's acceptance where required and is maintained and updated throughout the certification process.
An effective Certification Programme is therefore both a technical and a project-management tool, ensuring that certification activities remain structured, traceable and aligned with the agreed certification objectives.
What is the difference between certification and compliance
Certification and compliance are closely related but are not synonymous. Compliance is the demonstration that a specific requirement has been satisfied. It is supported by objective evidence generated through the applicable Means of Compliance.
Certification is the broader regulatory process through which the applicable requirements are established, compliance is demonstrated and the resulting evidence is reviewed and accepted in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework.
In other words, compliance is a fundamental part of certification, while certification encompasses the complete regulatory and technical process leading to the applicable approval or certificate.
Certification is the broader regulatory process through which the applicable requirements are established, compliance is demonstrated and the resulting evidence is reviewed and accepted in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework.
In other words, compliance is a fundamental part of certification, while certification encompasses the complete regulatory and technical process leading to the applicable approval or certificate.
What is the role of EASA in the certification process?
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is responsible for the certification of aircraft and certain related aeronautical products within its scope of responsibility.
Depending on the project and the applicant's organisational approvals and privileges, EASA may establish or accept the Certification Basis, review and accept the Certification Programme, determine or agree the applicable Level of Involvement, participate in compliance demonstrations and ultimately issue the applicable certificate or approval.
For approved Design Organisations, certain certification activities may be performed under the organisation's approved procedures and privileges without direct EASA involvement in every individual compliance demonstration item.
The exact allocation of responsibilities depends on the applicable Part-21 provisions, the type of approval held by the applicant and the specific characteristics of the project.
Depending on the project and the applicant's organisational approvals and privileges, EASA may establish or accept the Certification Basis, review and accept the Certification Programme, determine or agree the applicable Level of Involvement, participate in compliance demonstrations and ultimately issue the applicable certificate or approval.
For approved Design Organisations, certain certification activities may be performed under the organisation's approved procedures and privileges without direct EASA involvement in every individual compliance demonstration item.
The exact allocation of responsibilities depends on the applicable Part-21 provisions, the type of approval held by the applicant and the specific characteristics of the project.
How can R&R Consulting supportS an aeronautical certification project?
R&R Consulting supports aeronautical organisations in planning, managing and executing certification activities within the applicable regulatory framework.
Our support can cover the complete certification lifecycle, including:
Our support can cover the complete certification lifecycle, including:
- Certification strategy and regulatory framework definition;
- Certification Basis assessment and management;
- Certification Programme development and maintenance;
- Means of Compliance definition and selection;
- Compliance Demonstration Item (CDI) management;
- Compliance Demonstration planning and follow-up;
- Preparation and review of Compliance Documents;
- Technical coordination between engineering disciplines;
- Certification project management and planning;
- Support for interactions with EASA and other aviation authorities;
- Support for Design Organisations and certification applicants;
- Certification of new products, systems and equipment;
- Major and minor design changes;
- Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) projects;
- ETSO-related certification activities;
- Certification strategy for complex or novel technologies.
What is certification?Understand what certification is
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