Compliance artefact
Certification basis and compliance matrix
The certification programme, the certification basis and the compliance matrix that a design organisation files with the authority, produced by our experts with Wingman360 Teammate and checked requirement by requirement.
Which rule asks for it
Under Part 21 an applicant for a type certificate submits a certification programme, and its content is set out in 21.A.15(b). The compliance matrix is the working form of that programme: every applicable requirement of the certification basis, its means of compliance, the compliance document and the status.
(b) An application for a type-certificate or restricted type-certificate shall include, as a minimum, preliminary descriptive data of the product, the intended use of the product and the kind of operations for which certification is requested. In addition, it shall include, or be supplemented after the initial application by, a certification programme for the demonstration of compliance in accordance with point 21.A.20, consisting of: 1. a detailed description of the type design, including all the configurations to be certified; 2. the proposed operating characteristics and limitations; 3. the intended use of the product and the kind of operations for which certification is requested; 4. a proposal for the initial type-certification basis, operational suitability data certification basis and environmental protection requirements, prepared in accordance with the requirements and options specified in points 21.B.80, 21.B.82 and 21.B.85; 5. a proposal for a breakdown of the certification programme into meaningful groups of compliance demonstration activities and data, including a proposal for the means of compliance and related compliance documents; 6. a proposal for the assessment of the meaningful groups of compliance demonstration activities and data, addressing the likelihood of an unidentified non-compliance with the type-certification basis, operational suitability data certification basis or environmental protection requirements and the potential impact of that non-compliance on product safety or environmental protection. The proposed assessment shall take into account at least the elements set out in subpoints (1) to (4) of point 21.B.100(a). Based on this assessment, the application shall include a proposal for the Agency's involvement in the verification of the compliance demonstration activities and data; and 7. a project schedule including major milestones.
On the FAA side
For a 14 CFR project the same matrix maps the applicable regulations designated under 21.17 and shows compliance under 21.20.
The applicant for a type certificate, including an amended or supplemental type certificate, must— (a) Show compliance with all applicable requirements and must provide the FAA the means by which such compliance has been shown; and (b) Provide a statement certifying that the applicant has complied with the applicable requirements.
What we deliver
- Certification basis: the applicable airworthiness code, amendment level, special conditions, equivalent safety findings and exemptions, each with its origin.
- Compliance matrix: one row per requirement with applicability, means of compliance (MoC 0 to 9 or the FAA method), the compliance document reference, the responsible party and the status.
- Certification programme text per 21.A.15(b), or the certification plan per FAA Order 8110.4C, referencing the matrix.
- Sources register and citation trail for every row.
How it is produced and checked
Our aviation regulatory experts produce the matrix with Wingman360 Teammate on Lavionic's servers, from your certification basis, design description and the regulation text. A second expert checks every row against the sources. You receive the matrix, the programme text and the trail; your design organisation reviews and signs before anything goes to the authority.
Standards and references
- Part 21 Subpart B (21.A.15, 21.A.20), Regulation (EU) No 748/2012
- EMAR 21 Edition 2.0 (21.A.15, 21.A.20), European Defence Agency, 2021
- STANAG 4671 / AEP-4671, the airworthiness code for a military UAS, with the same matrix structure
- 14 CFR 21.17 and 21.20, eCFR
- FAA Order 8110.4C Change 7, certification plan and compliance checklist
Questions
- What is the difference between a certification programme and a compliance matrix?
- The programme is the document 21.A.15(b) asks for: the certification basis, the means of compliance and the schedule. The matrix is its requirement-by-requirement table and is usually an appendix to it.
- Can the matrix be produced for a military project?
- Yes. EMAR 21 carries the same 21.A.15 and 21.A.20 structure and STANAG 4671 supplies the airworthiness code; the matrix follows the same form with the military authority's conventions.
- Who signs the matrix?
- Your design organisation. Lavionic produces and checks; approval and signature to the authority stay with the holder of the design organisation approval.
- What do you need from us to start?
- The product description, the intended certification basis if one exists, and your templates. If the certification basis does not exist yet, developing it is the first deliverable.
- How are the citations checked?
- Each row cites the rule point it rests on. A second aviation regulatory expert verifies every citation against the regulation text before delivery.