Acceptance (Regulatory Acceptance)
Section 02: Regulatory Vocabulary
Definition
A term used in aviation regulation to describe the act of an authority agreeing to or acknowledging an applicant's proposed approach, data, or compliance showing without performing its own independent evaluation to the same depth as full certification or validation. Acceptance may refer to the authority accepting a proposed means of compliance, accepting compliance data submitted by the applicant, or accepting the findings of a delegated authority or designee. Acceptance implies a level of trust or reliance on the submitting party's work.
Where This Shows Up
Acceptance is a less rigorous process than certification or validation. For example, an authority may 'accept' a foreign authority's findings under a bilateral agreement with minimal additional review, or may 'accept' an applicant's compliance demonstration based on the applicant's DOA privileges.
Primary Sources
Bilateral agreements often specify what activities are subject to 'acceptance' vs. more detailed evaluation.
Related Terms
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