Transition measures for demonstration of capability

The transition measures related to demonstration of capability for design organisations are in the Regulation (EC) 1702/2003, laying down implementing rules for the airworthiness and environmental certification of aircraft and related products, parts and appliances, as well as for the certification of design and production organisations.

Relevant section of Regulation

Article 3 - Design Organisations.

Design organisations have been given 2 years of transition, from 28 September 2003 to 28 September 2005, to meet the requirements related to the demonstration of capability. The situation can be summarised as follows:

  1. For all new applications where demonstration of capability is required (type certificate (TC), supplemental type certificate (STC), major repair design approval, ETSO Authorisation (ETSOA) *), an application for design organisation approval (DOA) or alternative procedures to DOA** is required at the time of application for the related design approval, except when a DOA or alternative procedures to DOA is already in place for this kind of design approval.
  2. Type certificate holders had to obtain a DOA or alternative procedures to DOA** under the conditions of 21A.14 not later than 28 September 2005.
  3. Holders of STC, major repair design approval, or ETSOA * issued by EASA after 28 September 2003 had to obtain a DOA or alternative procedures to DOA** under the conditions of 21A.112B, 21A.432B or 21A.602B not later than 28 September 2005.
  4. Failure to demonstrate capability, as described in 2 and 3 above, invalidated the TC (ref. 21A.51 and 21A.44), STC (ref. 21A.118B and 21A.118A) or ETSOA (ref. 21A.619 and 21A.609).
  5. Only applications for approval of minor changes and minor repair design can be made without any demonstration of capability (ref. 21A.92(b) and 21A.432(b))
  6. Holders of STC (or equivalent), approvals of major changes, major repair design approvals or approvals of parts and appliances issued under national regulations by Member States prior to 28 September 2003 and grand-fathered in accordance with Regulation 1702/2003, article 2.13 and 2.14 do not need to demonstrate their capability, until the time they apply for a new STC, major repair design approval or ETSOA * under Part 21.

* DOA is required for ETSOA for an Auxilliary Power Unit and alternative procedures to DOA for all other ETSOA.
** Alternative procedures to DOA may be used for certain categories of products ("simple design")

EASA Contacts for DOAs

Inquiries relating to the Agency's Alternative Procedures to Design Organisation Approvals should be addressed to: