Certification
Section 02: Regulatory Vocabulary
Definition
The process by which a civil aviation authority evaluates and formally approves that a product, part, appliance, organisation, or person meets applicable regulatory requirements. In the context of type certification, it is the comprehensive evaluation of a type design against the applicable airworthiness standards by the authority having jurisdiction over the applicant (the State of Design authority). Certification results in the issuance of a formal approval document such as a Type Certificate, STC, or organisation approval.
Where This Shows Up
Certification is distinguished from validation (which is the acceptance of a foreign certification by another authority) and from acceptance (which typically involves less comprehensive evaluation). Only the State of Design authority performs full certification; other authorities validate or accept the original certification.
Need help with regulatory compliance? for expert guidance.
Primary Sources
Related Terms
Explore Further
Need help navigating certification?
Understanding the terminology is the first step. If you need expert guidance on DO-178C, DO-254, ARP4754B, or any aspect of FAA, EASA, or TCCA certification, our team is here to help.