Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Design, Manufacturing and Maintenance Organizations
Safety is and always has been essential for the aviation industry. To ensure the continuous improvement of safety, the next step is for the industry to adopt a systematic approach to managing safety risks and performance. This is where the international industry standard for Implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) comes in.
The international industry Standard for Implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) at Design, Manufacturing and Maintenance Providers has been developed within a joint working group, made up of association members from AIAC in collaboration with: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), ASD Europe, Aerospace Industries Association of America (AIA), Aerospace Industries Association of Brazil (AIA-B).
The Standard was developed to enable the aviation industry to implement a Safety Management System (SMS) consistent with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Annex 19 Safety Management edition 2, appendix 2, to the convention on International Civil Aviation. It is intended to support demonstration of compliance with applicable SMS requirements from aviation authorities or for voluntary SMS implementation.
The latest rev. C incorporates several enhancements, including:
- Strengthening global applicability for maintenance organizations,
- Strengthening safety culture principles and providing guidance for their enablers & disablers,
- Strengthening the need to ensure independence of the staff making decisions affecting safety/airworthiness,
- Considering updated FAA Part 5 mandating SMS to TC & PC holders.
Maintenance and oversight of the Standard is the responsibility of the International SMS Standard Steering Committee. The Steering Committee directs and supervises the maintenance, amendments and publication of the document. Each association makes free copies of the Standard available to its members and ensures that their members are made aware of and agree on any future changes to the Standard.
- SM-0001 Issue C: Implementing a Safety Management System for Design, Manufacturing and Maintenance Organizations (11/18/2025)
- SM-0001 Acceptance by Aviation Authorities – Supplement to SM-0001
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