Frequently asked questions - FAQs

The Internal Occurrence Reporting System (IORS) is the system used by EASA for collecting, centralising and processing all safety related occurrences reported to the Agency. IORS consists an occurrence database (in the ECCAIRS format), and related internal working procedures and tools for the processing of all occurrences reported to EASA.

How will IORS further improve the level of aviation safety?

IORS allows EASA to receive and store all occurrence reports in a common format (ECCAIRS). This will help EASA to improve the traceability of reported occurrences and of individual follow-up decisions and actions. Furthermore, the centralised IORS database will serve as a source of high quality data for various EASA tasks, such as safety analysis and trend monitoring, and will enable improved data driven safety related decision making.

Who has to report safety related occurrences to EASA? What is the legal framework?

All organisations that have legal reporting obligations to EASA, such as:

• Design Approval Holders, under Commission Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 Part 21A.3A;
• Production organisations, under Commission Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 Part 21A.129 or Part 21A.165;

Other Organisations, when EASA is the competent authority:

• EASA approved maintenance organisations, under Commission Regulation (EC) No 2042/2003 Part 145.A60 or Part M.A.202;
• EASA approved CAMOs, under Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2042/2003 Part M.A.202;
• EASA approved production organisations.
  

In addition, EASA accepts voluntary occurrence reports submitted by any natural person or organisation outsider the scope of the above-mentioned legal provisions on reporting obligations. Voluntary reports will be handled by EASA in the same way as reports received under legal reporting obligations.

What does IORS change for organisations that have to report safety related occurrences to EASA?

The implementation of IORS does not affect any existing legal provisions and obligations, and it does not create new ones. In particular, IORS does neither affect the existing reporting requirements nor any associated guidance material. IORS establishes the form and manner of reporting occurrences to EASA.

Will IORS also be operational in EASA’s future fields of activity?

IORS is developed in such a way that it will be possible to extend its application to all future fields of the Agency’s activity.

What is now an acceptable form and manner of reporting occurrences to EASA?

EASA developed a Technical Occurrence Report Form, in PDF format, which replaces the previous “EASA Form 44”. EASA offers the following options for reporting:

The "Technical Occurrence Report Form" is available at: Reporting

Top reporting Organisations will use their data bridges in order to report occurrences to the Agency.

In the end of this year a secure web site will be available for occurrence reporting on line. More information on this option will follow.

How will the relation between reporting organisations and the responsible EASA staff members (i.e. PCMs) be influenced by IORS?

IORS will not have any effect on the technical involvement of PCMs/Certification Teams or on the working level communication lines between applicants and responsible EASA staff. IORS will only affect the form and manner of reporting occurrence data to the Agency, not the way of handling such data during the assessment process.

How does EASA ensure the confidentiality of data in IORS?

EASA developed its "IORS Access, Dissemination and Data Protection Policy" which fully reflects the EU legal framework on confidentiality and personal data protection

Who has access to IORS?

Access rights (user rights) to the system are strictly reserved for those EASA employees who are directly involved in working with occurrences. EASA Staff Members are subject to the EU Staff Regulations as well as the Agency’s Code of Conduct, both of which impose obligations regarding confidentiality and/or protection of personal data.  External PCMs, experts or Team Leaders working on behalf of EASA have access rights, but strictly limited to occurrences related to their products or organisations only. They are subject to the confidentiality provisions as described in the applicable framework contracts.

What and to whom should be reported by POA holders?

The holder of a production organisation approval shall report to the Agency (EASA) and the competent authority of the Member State (NAA) the deviations from approved design data, which as shown by the analysis in conjunction with the design organisation, could lead to an unsafe condition.
Such reports to the Agency shall be made in a form and manner established by the Agency (Reporting).

How can I get in touch with the IORS team?

For further questions/clarifications you may contact the IORS team by email: IORS .at. easa .point. europa .point. eu