Are You Ready to Comply with US–EU MAG Change 10?

September 3, 2025

Are You Ready to Comply with US–EU MAG Change 10?

The aviation maintenance world is about to see one of the most significant updates in recent years. On October 10, 2025, Change 10 to the U.S.–EU Maintenance Annex Guidance (MAG) goes into effect. This update directly impacts all U.S.-based repair stations that hold or seek European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part-145 approval.

So, what does this mean for you? Let’s break it down.

The Big Shift: Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Under Change 10, every U.S. repair station applying for or renewing EASA approval must implement a Safety Management System (SMS) that complies with 14 CFR part 5 and is aligned with the FAA’s Safety Management System Voluntary Program (SMSVP).

Your SMS must:

Be fully integrated into daily operations and EASA special conditions.
Be tailored to your repair station’s size, scope, and complexity.
Include all six SMSVP subparts: applicability, safety policy, risk management, safety assurance, safety promotion, and recordkeeping.

In short: no SMS, no EASA approval.

Submission:

You must submit a Declaration of Compliance to your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). This declaration must confirm that your repair station:

Has already implemented and is maintaining an SMS that meets 14 CFR part 5 or has enrolled in the SMSVP.
Provides the repair station name, FAA certificate number, EASA approval number (if renewing), physical address, and a signed statement by the accountable manager.

You’ll also need to show evidence of need—proof that you have EU-based customers such as operators, AMOs, lessors, or distributors.

FAA & EASA Roles

FAA reviews your application package, checks your SMS compliance, and forwards its recommendation to EASA.
EASA issues the approval certificate (Form 3-145), valid for two years, once all requirements are met and fees are paid.

Renewals follow the same path, with applications due at least 90 days before certificate expiration.

Why It Matters

Change 10 aligns U.S. and EU safety practices more closely with international ICAO standards. For repair stations, it means a heavier emphasis on proactive safety risk management—but also the opportunity to demonstrate world-class compliance and safety culture.

Are You Ready?

To prepare:

Review existing Safety Policy. (Identify your Management that will have the power to make safety decisions. Sets leadership commitment.)
Review of Safety Risk Management. (A structured way to identify hazards, assess/analyze risk, put mitigations in place before work is performed. Conduct a Gap Analysis. Think: hazard reporting – risk assessment – controls.)
Review of Safety Assurance. (Verifies your mitigations work. You monitor, audit, investigate, trend data, and fix systemic issues. Corrective action + Continuous improvement)
Begin or Continue Safety Promotion. (Builds and sustains the safety culture through training, communication, and engagement so people use the system-not work around it)
Enroll in the SMSVP if you haven’t already.
Train your accountable manager and staff on SMS requirements.
Update your Repair Station Manual or develop SMS Manual.
Update your EASA Supplement. Refer to U.S.-EU MAG, Section B: Appendix I for guidance.
Make sure your application package (Forms 9, 16, Declaration of Compliance, OpSpecs, and Evidence of Need) is complete before submission.

Final Thought

US–EU MAG Change 10 isn’t just another paperwork update—it’s a cultural shift. Repair stations that act early will not only stay compliant but also strengthen safety, efficiency, and trust with global customers.

The question is: is your repair station ready?