Five global aerospace organizations today jointly released an international standard designed to improve the safety performance and culture of manufacturers and maintainers alike. Publication of  “Implementing a Safety Management System for Design, Manufacturing, and Maintenance Providers” follows two years of consultation that involved the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the Aerospace Industries Association of America (AIA), Aerospace Industries Association of Brazil, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, and AeroSpace and Defence Association Industries of Europe.

Available on the associations’ websites, the standard is designed to help the global supply chain to implement safety management systems that are consistent with ICAO’s Annex 19 "Safety Management" standards and recommended practices, the organizations say. “This standard will allow us to implement key safety measures consistently throughout the industry,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “It will facilitate a more efficient and globalized approach to approvals from aviation authorities around the world.”

“Development of an internationally recognized SMS Standard that is consistent with Annex 19 means that we now have a tool to implement key safety measures in a consistent manner up and down our industry, which results in a more accountable safety system,” agreed AIA v-p for civil aviation David Silver.

In addition, the five associations formed a steering committee to support implementation the standards, as well as work with stakeholders. This committee further will consider future revisions.