Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency

Summary:

The European Commission adopted on 7 December 2015 a proposal replacing the existing Regulation on civil aviation safety and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It also introduces essential requirements for drones.

The European Parliament adopted the report containing its position for interinstitutional negotiations in November 2016. The Council of the European Union agreed on its general approach on 1 December. An informal agreement was reached a year later. The deal was formally adopted by the Parliament on 12 June 2018 and by the Council on 26 June. The Regulation entered into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal.

This Regulation amends Regulations (EC) No 2111/2005, (EC) No 1008/2008, (EU) No 996/2010, (EU) No 376/2014 and Directives 2014/30/EU and 2014/53/EU, and repeals Regulations (EC) No 552/2004, (EC) No 216/2008 and (EEC) No 3922/91.

Further information:

This reform includes the first-ever EU-wide rule for civil drones, extended mandate for the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and also provides for using existing resources more efficiently. This initiative proposed to create a Union framework for safe integration of unmanned aircraft into the European airspace.

This legislative initiative is part of the European Commission’s 2015 Aviation Strategy for Europe, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of the EU aviation sector.

• Primary Source

EUR-Lex: COM(2015)613: Proposal for a Regulation on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2015:613:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2015)262: Impact assessment http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2015:262:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2015)263: Executive summary of the impact assessment http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2015:263:FIN

Legislative Train: Revision of basic aviation safety Regulation including the introduction of provisions on drones http://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-deeper-and-fairer-internal-market-with-a-strengthened-industrial-base-services-including-transport/file-revision-of-basic-aviation-safety-regulation-provisions-on-drones

EP: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File on Proposal concerning common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil-mobile/fiche-procedure/2015/0277(COD)

European Parliament: Press Release, 12.06.18: EU-wide rules for safety of drones approved by European Parliament http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20180607IPR05239/

EPRS: Briefing, March 2018: New civil aviation safety rules http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2018)620199

European Parliament: Press Release, 11.11.16: Drones: new EU rules to ensure safety and privacy http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161107STO50307/

European Parliament: Press Release, 10.11.16: Aviation safety: transport MEPs back draft EU rules on drones and emerging risks http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161107IPR50386/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 01.12.16: Aviation safety, EASA and drones rules: Council adopts its position http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/12/01-aviation-safety-easa-drones-rules/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 26.06.18: Ensuring aviation safety and safe use of drones: Council signs off on EASA reform https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/06/26/ensuring-aviation-safety-and-safe-use-of-drones-council-signs-off-on-easa-reform/

ATW Online, News, 29.06.18: EASA mandate grows to cover ‘full aviation landscape’ including drones http://atwonline.com/regulation/easa-mandate-grows-cover-full-aviation-landscape-including-drones

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