EASA - Compliance Monitoring and its Relationship to the Safety Management System (SMS)
Presented by Sofema Online (SOL)
Introduction - Typically refers to the continuous surveillance and inspection of organisational and operational practices to ensure they meet established regulatory and internal standards.
It's a critical component of SMS, (do you agree?) Ensuring that safety measures are not only designed but also effectively implemented and maintained over time.
Note - Safety Management Systems (SMS) are systematic approaches to managing safety, including the necessary organizational structures, accountabilities, policies, and procedures. The core components of an SMS include safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion.
EASA Aviation organizations can successfully integrate SMS and compliance monitoring within a single organisational function. This integration not only enhances safety and quality but also aligns with EASA's regulatory requirements, ultimately fostering an organizational culture that prioritizes safety without creating stakeholder conflicts.
Compliance Challenges and Issues
QA focuses on compliance with predefined standards and procedures, while SMS emphasizes proactive risk management and safety improvement.
Not to lose sight of the fact that SMS being a system is also subject to compliance oversight and measurement.
>>Top Management Commitment: Ensuring the commitment of top management to safety culture and the integration of SMS and QA functions. Leadership should actively promote safety as a core value and provide the necessary resources for implementation.
>> Establishing a continuous feedback loop that leverages insights from compliance monitoring and QA evaluations to inform and improve SMS practices. This approach ensures that safety management is responsive to the realities of operational performance and regulatory requirements.
>> Effective Communication: Establishing clear lines of communication across the organization to ensure that safety information, risks, and incidents are reported without fear of reprisal, and that such information is acted upon promptly.
Best Practices
The interconnection between EASA Compliance Monitoring and SMS is fundamental to establishing a robust safety culture within aviation organizations. By adhering to the best practices and addressing the challenges involved in integrating compliance and safety management, organizations can foster an environment where safety is a paramount concern.
>> Strategic Alignment: Ensuring that compliance, QA, and SMS objectives are strategically aligned with the organization's overall safety goals. This includes setting clear, achievable targets that encompass regulatory adherence, quality improvement, and risk management.
>> Integrated Training Programs: Developing training programs that cover aspects of compliance, QA, and safety management, thereby fostering a comprehensive understanding of their interrelation and mutual benefits among staff.
Sofema Aviation Services and Sofema Online provides EASA - Compliant Webinar, Classroom & Online training in over 50 Quality Assurance and Compliance Related Subjects – Please see the websites or email team@sassofia.com
