SMS for Design and Manufacturing Organizations

On April 26, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published revisions to Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 5 Safety Management Systems (SMS). This latest revision to part 5, which will be effective on May 28, 2024, includes updates to requirements for safety management systems and requires certain part 21 organizations (type certificate and production certificate holders), part 135 (charter and commuter operators), and part 91.147 (air tours) to implement SMS.  The FAA published this rule in part to address a Congressional mandate as well as recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and two aviation rulemaking committees. Additionally, the rule more closely aligns the United States with Annex 19 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. This rule will improve aviation safety by requiring organizations to implement a proactive approach to managing safety.

The FAA has established a voluntary SMS Program that allows the FAA to assess applicant voluntary SMS programs in accordance with 14 CFR Part 5. The FAA will continue the voluntary SMS program for organizations not required to have an SMS, including supplemental type certificate holders, parts manufacturer approval holders, and technical standard order authorization holders. Upon acceptance of the voluntary SMS program, FAA awards a letter of acceptance stating the participating company has a voluntary SMS Program accepted by the FAA.

SMS Guidance, Tools & Related Information

• 14 CFR part 5, Safety Management Systems
• Advisory Circular (AC) 21-58, Safety Management Systems for Part 21 Type and Production Certificate Holders
• Order 8120.24, Implementation Plan Approval, Verification, and Evaluation of Safety Management Systems for Design and Production Approval Holders
• FAA Safety Management Systems Website    
   

Contact Information 
9-AVS-AIR-SMS@faa.gov