Approved Production Organisation under EASA Part 21

1. When is a POA required?

Any entity that manufactures aircraft, engines, propellers, or parts and appliances—including ETSO articles—in accordance with approved design data requires a Production Organisation Approval (POA) in accordance with EASA Part 21.

This applies to both legal entities and natural persons producing products based on approved design documentation.

2. Privileges of a POA holder

An approved production organisation may, within the scope of its granted privileges:

• Manufacture aircraft, parts and appliances, and ETSO articles in accordance with the approved scope and Capability List
• Issue certificates of conformity and release certificates for these products upon completion of production

This grants the POA holder defined responsibilities within the regulatory framework.

3. Requirements for POA approval

A key prerequisite for establishing an approved production organisation is the existence of a DO–PO agreement in accordance with 21.A.133(c).

This agreement governs the collaboration between the design and production organisations and ensures that:

• All applicable design data are completely transferred
• Clear interface procedures are defined
• Responsibilities for the preparation of production data are established
• Production deviations are managed in a structured manner

4. Integration into existing management systems

A POA production system can be integrated into existing management systems, for example in accordance with:

• DIN EN ISO 9001
• EN 9100

This enables efficient alignment of regulatory requirements with established quality management structures.

5. Obligations of an Approved Production Organisation (POA)

An approved production organisation (POA) is responsible for ensuring that products as well as parts and appliances fully conform to the approved design data (“as designed” vs. “as built”).

This responsibility is exercised through an effective Production Management System (PMS).

Key obligations

Certificates of conformity and release

• EASA Form 52 – Statement of Conformity for new aircraft with a type certificate
• EASA Form 53 – for aircraft requiring maintenance prior to delivery
• EASA Form 1 (“NEW”)
  for parts and appliances based on approved design data
• EASA Form 1 (“PROTOTYPE”)
  for parts based on non-approved but applicable design data (e.g. pre-series or test articles)

Flight authorisations

• Approval of flight conditions (EASA Form 18b)
• Issue of a Permit to Fly (EASA Form 20)

The POA holder therefore assumes a central role in ensuring regulatory compliance of product conformity.

6. What is required to obtain a Production Organisation Approval (POA)?

Once the fundamental prerequisites—such as a DO–PO agreement—are fulfilled, the following organisational and system-related requirements must be implemented:

• Establishment of a Production Management System (PMS) in accordance with 21.A.139, including the preparation of a Production Organisation Handbook (POH / POE / QMH). For complete aircraft, a Flight Test Operations Manual (FTOM) is additionally required.
• Provision of appropriate technical, organisational, and personnel resources in accordance with 21.A.145, to fully comply with the requirements of Part 21 Subpart G as well as the obligations of the approval holder under 21.A.165.
• Integration of a Safety Management System (SMS) within the PMS to ensure that production-related risks are systematically identified, assessed, and effectively controlled.

7. ACC Services in the Area of Part 21, Subpart G (POA)

We support organisations in the establishment, further development, and approval of production organisations (POA) in accordance with EASA Part 21, Subpart G—structured, audit-ready, and practically oriented.

7.1 Strategic project support

• Development of concepts and project plans for establishing an approved production organisation
• Gap analyses against Part 21 Subpart G (including comparison with ISO 9001 or EN 9100)
• Preparation of structured project plans and work packages, taking internal resources into account
• Consulting on the efficient implementation of regulatory requirements and process optimisation

7.2 Development and documentation of the Production Management System (PMS)

• Preparation and adaptation of Production Organisation Handbooks (POH / POE / QMH)
• Development and customisation of procedures, process descriptions, and forms
• Preparation or adaptation of a Flight Test Operations Manual (FTOM)
• Development of comprehensive Compliance Checklists (CCL)
• Implementation and integration of a Safety Management System (SMS)

7.3 Audits, interim management, and operational support

• Conducting internal and external audits
• Interim management in quality management (QM)
• Support in conformity determination for certifying staff, material management, and supplier management
• Project-accompanying coaching of key roles
  (e.g. Quality Manager, Accountable Manager, Certifying Staff, Purchasing, Production Planning, Project Management)

7.4 Training and qualification

• Development of tailored training concepts in line with your scope of approval
  (e.g. Human Factors, SMS, Part 21 Subpart G, aviation regulations)

7.5 Specific requirements for General Aviation

For organisations operating in the field of ELA1 and ELA2 aircraft, we consider AMC-ELA in the development of concepts, project plans, manuals, and procedures.