Brussels, 14/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Board of Directors of the European Aviation Safety Agency on Friday appointed France's Patrick Goudou as Executive Director of the Agency (EASA). His responsibilities will include: - adopting decisions to be taken by the Agency in terms of aviation safety and environmental protection; - establishing long-term co-operation with the competent services of European institutions and the representatives of interested parties; - ensuring the continuity of certification and product monitoring processes once national competencies are transferred to the Agency.
EASA's mission is to ensure a high level of safety and environmental protection in the field of civil aviation. To this end, it must help the Community legislator to draft common rules for the certification of products, spare parts and aeronautical equipment, and to approve organisations and personnel working in these fields. In this way, it will decide on type certificates for aeronautical products. The Agency will be up and running on 28 September 2003, when it will take control of the entirety of its certification duties. Pending the European Council's decision, its seat is to be temporarily in Brussels (EUROPE of 20 June).