The International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices
(SARPS) found in Annex 6, Part 2 specify that an SMS
requirement be incorporated into national safety regulations
for operators of non-commercial aircraft over 12,500
pounds maximum takeoff weight or turbojet powered aircraft.
The compliance date for this standard is November 2010.
Annex 6 Part 1 of the ICAO SARPS also provides a January
1, 2009 compliance date for implementation of a SMS
for commercial operators. ICAO states, From 1
January 2009, States shall require as part of their
safety programme, that an operator implements a safety
management system acceptable to the State of the Operator
that, as a minimum:
-
identify safety hazards;
-
ensure that remedial action
necessary to maintain an acceptable level of safety
is implemented;
-
provides for continuous monitoring
and regular assessment of the safety level achieved;
-
aims to make continuous improvement
to the overall level of safety
Safety Management Systems could
be a requirement for entry into some foreign countries
starting in 2010, per ICAO Annex 6 section 3.2.4. It
is also possible that in the future, an SMS acceptable
to the state could be just as important as aircraft
occupants having the required visas and passports for
entry into a country. FAA InFo 08022 states, that
the FAA supports ICAOs SMS initiative and has been
in active liaison with ICAO and with individual nations
involved in developing SMS programs.
Click here for listing
of various ICAO Resources
