Standards organizations RTCA and the European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment (Eurocae) signed a memorandum of cooperation that formalizes their relationship with the aim of better coordinating avionics equipment standards development between the U.S. and Europe.

The two organizations develop avionics performance standards based on a consensus process of industry and government subject-matter experts meeting in work groups to hash out the details. They have long collaborated, sponsoring work groups that jointly address common technical areas.

In addition to developing technical standards, RTCA, based in Washington, D.C., is also advising the Federal Aviation Administration in its deployment of the NextGen ATC modernization. Eurocae is based in Malakoff, France, outside Paris, and is supporting the Single European Sky effort.

The parties signed the memorandum of cooperation on November 21 during Eurocae’s General Assembly in Brussels. They said the pairing gives them “a single global voice on many issues” before the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal, which produces standards and recommended practices that are followed worldwide.

“Reflecting on our 40-year constructive partnership, this formal agreement strengthens our joint commitment to develop harmonized industry performance standards that support interoperability in this increasingly interconnected global industry,” said Margaret Jenny, RTCA president.