FAA realigns certification regulations

The FAA has published new regulations for manufacturers of aircraft and aviation products that will update and standardize FAA requirements to better align them with the current global manufacturing environment. They will become effective April 14, 2010.

The agency first issued most of its certification rules in 1964, when a typical business model involved many aircraft manufacturers with relatively few suppliers. Today there are fewer manufacturers, but the number of suppliers has increased. Many of these suppliers are located outside the U.S. and build much larger portions of aircraft than in earlier years.

The intent of these changes is to continue to promote safety by ensuring that aircraft and products and articles designed specifically for use in aircraft, wherever manufactured, meet appropriate minimum standards for design and construction.

 The amendments will update and standardize certification procedures and identification requirements for production approval holders–including parts manufacturers–revise export airworthiness approval requirements to facilitate global manufacturing, move all part marking requirements from Part 21 to Part 45 and amend the identification requirements for products and articles.