Agreement on civil aviation safety between the European Union and Brazil

SUMMARY OF:

Agreement between the European Union and Brazil on civil aviation safety

Decision 2010/489/EU – signing on behalf of the EU of the EU–Brazil agreement on civil aviation safety

Decision 2011/694/EU – conclusion of EU–Brazil agreement on civil aviation safety

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND DECISIONS?

The agreement aims to:

facilitate trade in civil aeronautical products between the European Union (EU) and Brazil,
remove unnecessary duplications in the certification of civil aeronautical products,
reduce costs for authorities and the aviation industry,
promote cooperation between the civil aviation authorities of the EU and Brazil.

The 2010 decision approves the signing of the agreement negotiated by the European Commission on behalf of the EU.

The 2011 decision approves and concludes the agreement on behalf of the EU.

KEY POINTS

Scope

The agreement applies to:

airworthiness approval and monitoring of civil aeronautical products;
continuing airworthiness of in-service aircraft;
approval and monitoring of maintenance facilities;
environmental approval and testing of civil aeronautical products;
related cooperative activities;
safety initiatives and exchange of relevant safety information.

The parties may subsequently decide to extend the agreement’s scope.

General obligations

The EU and Brazil mutually determined that their standards and systems for the airworthiness and environmental certification or acceptance of civil aeronautical products are sufficiently equivalent.
The agreement allows for reciprocal acceptance or recognition of approvals issued by the other party, as specified in the annexes to the agreement.
The agreement does not limit either party in determining the level of protection it considers appropriate for safety or for the environment.
Each party must ensure that their technical agents and competent authorities fulfil their responsibilities under the agreement.

Cooperation, assistance and transparency

The EU and Brazil agree to cooperate in a number of ways, including:

keeping the other party informed of proposed significant revisions to their relevant laws, regulations, standards, requirements and certification systems, and offering the opportunity to comment;
developing procedures on regulatory cooperation and transparency for activities within the agreement’s scope;
participating in each other’s internal quality assurance to promote understanding and compatibility between civil aviation safety regulatory systems;
allowing participation in each other’s inspections and audits on a sample basis or conducting joint inspections and audits as appropriate;
providing mutual cooperation and assistance in investigation or enforcement proceedings of alleged or suspected violations of laws or regulations under the scope of the agreement;
notifying each other promptly of any investigation where mutual interests are involved.

Safety information

The EU and Brazil agree to:

have a proactive approach to safety issues;
coordinate safety policies and initiatives, exchange information and data, and develop joint programmes;
provide each other, on request and in a timely manner, with information and assistance related to accidents, incidents or occurrences;
share safety information relating to aircraft operations and results of surveillance activities including ramp inspections.

Joint committee

The effective functioning of the agreement is overseen by a joint committee comprised of representatives of both parties meeting regularly.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement entered into force on 27 August 2013.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

International aviation (European Commission)
EU - Brazil Bilateral Agreement (European Union Aviation Safety Agency).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil on civil aviation safety (OJ L 273, 19.10.2011, pp. 3–22).

Council Decision 2010/489/EU of 12 July 2010 on the signature of an Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil on civil aviation safety (OJ L 243, 16.9.2010, p. 1).

Council Decision 2011/694/EU of 26 September 2011 on the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil on civil aviation safety (OJ L 273, 19.10.2011, pp. 1–2).