Story ID: 4TDeasa09052014
EASA’s Focus Evolves from Rulemaking to Oversight
By: Thierry Dubois
Caption: Europe's civil aviation authority moves to “more homogeneity.”
Word Count: 385
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) now operates under a new organizational structure, meant to ensure a stronger focus on oversight with a new strategy directorate. EASA executive director Patrick Ky launched the reorganization in April. It became effective on September 1, but EASA plans to outline the new strategy and name a safety management director next week.

“In 10 years, we have finalized the harmonization of regulation at the European level,” a spokesman told AIN. Therefore, EASA’s role is evolving from mostly rulemaking to ensuring the rules get enforced in a uniform and consistent manner in the 32 member states.

A major facet of the reorganization effort involves giving the EASA more homogeneity. “We realized that some silos had formed; rulemaking, certification and standardization people did not talk a lot one to another,” the spokesman said. As a result, each directorate had pursued its own agenda.

Ky’s team thought the agency should be made more united, and in January, they created an internal task force, as opposed to resorting to external consultants, the spokesman noted. The task force interviewed a number of employees, asking for suggestions on improvements. After some discussion, leadership approved a reorganization plan in April.

All regulatory functions now integrate across the different aviation domains. For example, the general aviation department comprises rulemaking, certification and standardization experts, putting them in a better position to communicate. As a result, EASA officials believe, the agency can engage more pragmatically with the aviation industry.

The new strategy and safety management directorate defines one strategy for the agency. It is data-driven, the spokesman said, and takes care of safety and business aspects. Using the 2014-2017 European Aviation Safety plan, it identifies those areas where coordinated action can make a difference in avoiding accidents.

Meanwhile, the agency opened a notice of proposed amendment to comment for a revision of its founding regulation. Under the law-making procedure, the agency will issue an “opinion” in the first quarter of next year. The revision might result in updating the EASA’s safety remit, such as including airport handling companies. It might extend the remit beyond safety to security and an enhanced scope for environmental issues. Another goal centers on ensuring “adequate and stable” funding.