One of the key elements of Safety Management is managing safety risks, which means identifying hazards, assessing the risks and making decision on the best course of action to mitigate them. Industry organisations and States are also required to do this within the scope of the activities they have to manage. The regional approach complements national approaches offering a more efficient means of discharging States obligations for Safety Management in the EU’s aviation system.
At the European level this process is carried out in coordination with States and industry because they are part of one aviation system and documented in the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS). The EPAS covers a five year period and is reviewed and updated on a yearly basis by EASA.
The European Plan for Aviation Safety includes also the Rulemaking Programme (RMP) and is organised in four drivers: safety, environment, efficiency/proportionality and level playing field. The Strategy and Programmes Department is responsible for its development.
In the latest edition of the EPAS (2018-2022), EASA has strengthened the strategic orientation by aligning the safety priorities with EASA’s strategic plan (included in the Single Programming Document 2018-2022) and integrating the input received from stakeholders.
The planning activity is supplemented by a reporting mechanism, in which progress on the actions is evaluated and documented. This feedback loop ensures that the process to manage risks continuously improves.
How to submit a new proposal to be included in EPAS
A new proposal, such as a new issue or a proposal for a new action to be included in the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) can be submitted at any moment. For this purpose please use the new Candidate Issue Form. This form replaces the old Rulemaking Proposal Form and is meant to encompass a larger range of proposals for actions, including proposals for new rulemaking tasks/activities as well as the identification of new issues.
For more detailed information, please consult our page on Rulemaking proposals.
EPAS and stakeholder groups
Group |
Network of Analysts (NoA) Collaborative and Analysis Groups (CAG) |
Technical/Sectorial Bodies (TeB, STeB, Sect Cmt.) |
Member States Advisory Body (MAB) Stakeholders Advisory Body (SAB) |
Objective | Analyse and assess risks to inform decisions | Review and give technical and operational advice |
Provide strategic advice Review strategic orientation and indicators |
Product |
Annual Safety Review Safety Risk Portfolio Safety Issue Assessments |
Impact and Safety Issue Assessments Rulemaking and safety promotion actions |
European Plan for Aviation Safety Rulemaking Programme Strategic priorities |
For further information about the EPAS or to provide feedback do not hesitate to contact us at EPAS [at] easa [dot] europa [dot] eu.