§ Lord Rotherwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the European Aviation Safety Agency is due to start operating fully. [HL4331]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)The draft EC regulation setting up the European Aviation Safety Agency is expected to come into force in summer 2002.
The agency is required to begin issuing certificates and approvals relating to aircraft design, production and maintenance, plus appropriate environmental certificates, 12 months from the entry into force of the regulation. There is a subsequent transitional period of 42 months to allow a smooth handover of these certification tasks from member states to the agency.