The EC Regulation 549/2004 The Framework Regulation (Article 4) mandates that each State establish a National Supervisory Authority (NSA) with responsibilities for the supervision of Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs). The Safety Regulation Division of the IAA has been nominated as the National Supervisory Authority for Ireland.
The tasks to be undertaken by NSAs are defined in Article 2 of EC regulation 550 / 2004 ‘The Service Provision Regulation'. The provision of all air navigation services within the European Community is subject to certification. NSAs are responsible for the initial certification and ongoing supervision of Air Navigation Service Providers. It is important to note that, under the SES legislation, the NSA's oversight responsibilities extend beyond safety oversight to include additional areas as defined in the 'Common Requirements' (EU Regulation 1035 of 2011)
Annex I of the Common Requirements regulation addresses the following:
- Technical and Operational Competence and Capability
- Organisational Structure and Management
- Safety and Quality Management
- Security
- Human Resources
- Financial Strength
- Liability and Insurance Cover
- Quality of Services
- Reporting Requirements
EC Regulation 1034/2011 provides a set of safety regulatory requirements for the implementation of an effective air traffic management (ATM) safety oversight function. Activities conducted by ANSD in accordance with EC Regulation 1034/2011 include:
- Monitoring of safety performance.
- Verification of compliance with safety regulatory requirements
- Conduct of safety regulatory audits.
- Safety oversight of changes to functional systems including the review and acceptance of changes where appropriate (Recent Legislative Change (6) - EU Regulation 1034/2011).
- Issuing safety directives where an unsafe condition requiring immediate action is identified.
- Production of an annual safety oversight report