Harmonization
Section 02: Regulatory Vocabulary
Definition
The process of aligning the technical content and regulatory requirements of different national airworthiness codes to achieve common or equivalent standards across jurisdictions. Harmonization reduces the burden on applicants seeking certification in multiple countries by minimizing the differences that must be addressed during validation. Major harmonization efforts include the FAA-EASA cooperation on Part 25/CS-25 and the restructuring of Part 23/CS-23.
Where This Shows Up
Complete harmonization is rare; most regulations remain 'largely harmonized' with residual differences. Understanding where requirements are harmonized and where differences exist is essential for planning multi-jurisdictional certification projects.
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