Brussels, 26/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - Rules for safe commercial flights by aircraft and helicopters will take effect on Monday 29 October after publication in the EU Official Journal of Thursday 25. Nonetheless, member states will have two years in which to apply the rules. As a consequence of the new rules, airlines will no longer need to renew certification each year and small businesses will be subject to lighter administrative procedures. Helicopters will henceforth be subject to harmonised European rules rather than national rules. Regulation 695/2012 adapts existing rules to the latest scientific and technological developments in aviation and to international standards. (MD/transl.jl)