Basic Regulation (CAR-PART I-CAR-BR) - UAE GCAA Introduction of Qualified Entities

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EASA Background – Qualified Entities

With the introduction of Basic Regulation EC 216/2008, EASA defined a Qualified Entity in the following way: "qualified entity" shall mean a body which may be allocated a specific certification task by, and under the control and the responsibility of, the Agency or national aviation authority.

The role of Qualified Entity is therefore viewed in the context of the provision of support to EASA, specifically in the field of certification activities.

The criteria determining the suitability of an Agency or a national aviation authority to act as a Qualified Entity (QE) is as follows:

       » The independence of the QE from the design, manufacture, marketing, or maintenance of the products, parts, appliances, constituents, or systems or in their operations, service provision, or use;
       » The possession by the QE of the greatest possible professional integrity and the greatest possible technical competence;
       » The freedom from any pressure and incentive, in particular of a financial type, which could affect their judgment or the results of their investigations, in particular from persons, or groups of persons, affected by the results of the certification tasks;
       » The employment of adequate staff, qualified, knowledgeable, and experienced in certification tasks, as well as the means required to perform adequately the technical and administrative tasks linked with the certification process. 

Basic Regulation (CAR-PART I-CAR-BR) - ANNEX III ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFIED ENTITIES

       » The qualified entity, its Director, and the staff responsible for carrying out the certification and oversight tasks, may not be involved, either directly or as authorized representatives, in the design, production, marketing, or maintenance of the products, parts, non-installed equipment, constituents or systems or in their operations, service provision or use.

       »This does not exclude the possibility of an exchange of technical information between the involved organizations and the qualified entity.

Note - The above criteria shall not prevent an organization created with the aim of promoting aerial sport or leisure aviation from being eligible for accreditation as a qualified entity, on condition that it demonstrates to the satisfaction of the accrediting authority that it has put in place adequate arrangements for the prevention of conflict of interest.

       » The qualified entity and the staff responsible for the certification and oversight tasks must carry out their duties with the greatest possible professional integrity and the greatest possible technical competence and must be free of any pressure and incentive of any type, in particular of a financial type, which could affect their judgment and decisions or the results of their certification and oversight tasks, in particular from persons or groups of persons affected by those results.

       » The qualified entity must employ staff and possess the means required to perform adequately the technical and administrative tasks linked with the certification and oversight process; it shall also have access to the equipment needed for exceptional checks.

       » The qualified entity and its staff responsible for investigation must have:

o   Sound technical and vocational training, or

o   Sufficient expertise gained through experience of relevant activities;

o   Satisfactory knowledge of the requirements of the certification and oversight tasks they carry out and adequate experience of such processes;

o   The ability required to draw up statements, records, and reports to demonstrate that the certification and oversight tasks have been carried out.

      » The impartiality of the staff responsible for certification and oversight tasks must be guaranteed. Their remuneration must not depend on the number of investigations carried out or on the results of such investigations.

      » The qualified entity must take out liability insurance unless its liability is assumed by the State.

      » The staff of the qualified entity must observe professional secrecy with regard to all information acquired in carrying out their tasks under the civil aviation regulations.

Next Steps

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