FAA and EASA Pledge Cooperation on Aviation Certification

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) formally committed to deepening regulatory cooperation and harmonizing certification pathways for advanced aviation technologies on June 18, 2026.

Announced during the 2026 FAA and EASA International Safety Conference in Chantilly, Virginia, the joint pledge outlines a framework to streamline oversight and advance data-driven Safety Management Systems (SMS) across the global aerospace sector. According to a press release issued by the FAA, the agreement prioritizes collaboration at all organizational levels under the existing United States-European Union Aviation Safety Agreement.

Harmonizing certification and data sharing

The bilateral agreement focuses on several core objectives designed to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. Regulators plan to strengthen information exchange regarding safety oversight and expand the sharing of operational data to support future rulemaking. A primary goal of the pledge is to streamline approval processes for advanced aviation technologies, ensuring that certification pathways remain consistent between the two regulatory bodies.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford highlighted the necessity of the agreement during the conference.

“This is one of the most innovative moments in aviation, not just for America but also for our international partners. Sharing information and fostering conversations about safety allow us to strengthen our international partnerships and ensure aviation systems evolve safely and efficiently.”

EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet echoed this sentiment, noting that strong cooperation between regulators is essential to maintain high safety standards as the industry evolves. Guillermet stated that aligning approaches will allow both agencies to support innovation while preserving public confidence in aviation.

Industry collaboration and future milestones

The joint pledge served as the culmination of the three-day conference, which operated under the theme “Safety Together: Innovation, Integration and Trust.” The event gathered approximately 400 senior aviation professionals, including representatives from manufacturers, airlines, industry associations, and regulatory bodies.

During the event, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen participated in a fireside chat with Guillermet and FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau. The discussion emphasized the requirement for continuous government and industry collaboration to manage the integration of new technologies.

To ensure the pledge translates into actionable policy, executive leadership from both the FAA and EASA committed to meeting regularly. These meetings will focus on reviewing progress, identifying emerging priorities, and sharing implementation updates. The agencies also confirmed that the next FAA-EASA International Aviation Safety Conference is scheduled for June 22 through June 24, 2027, and will be hosted in Cologne, Germany.

AirPro News analysis

We view this renewed commitment between the FAA and EASA as a critical prerequisite for the successful rollout of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Historically, divergent certification standards between the United States and Europe have forced original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to navigate costly and time-consuming parallel approval processes. By explicitly targeting the harmonization of certification pathways for advanced technologies, the two largest Western aviation regulators are signaling an intent to prevent regulatory fragmentation. The emphasis on expanding Safety Management Systems (SMS) also indicates a shift toward predictive, data-driven oversight rather than reactive rulemaking.

Sources: Federal Aviation Administration