Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program
Background
In 1992 the 29th Session of the ICAO Assembly adopted a resolution to establish a safety oversight programme. The programme was established in an effort to address concerns that some of ICAOs Contracting States were not carrying out their oversight functions.
The first stage of the programme, launched in 1996, was voluntary. Its initial success led the 31st Session of the ICAO Assembly (October 1998) to endorse an enhanced programme and provide the necessary funding. The Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP) commenced on 1 January 1999, replacing the voluntary programme.
The basis of the ICAO audit was the degree to which the States complied with safety related Standards and Recommended Practises (SARPs) and associated procedures laid down in three of the eighteen Annexes to the Chicago Convention: Annex 1 (Personnel Licensing), Annex 6 (Operation of Aircraft) and Annex 8 (Airworthiness of Aircraft). It was envisaged that ICAO would audit other annexes in future programmes. By 2002, 186 safety oversight audits and reports had been completed.
The 35th Session of the ICAO Assembly considered the Council proposal for the continuation and expansion of the USOAP as of 2005 and resolved that the Programme be expanded to cover all safety-related Annexes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18) and also to transit to a comprehensive systems approach for the conduct of safety oversight audits. All States are now being progressively audited under the expanded programme.
Final Report of ICAOs 1999 Assessment of Australia and Australia's Action Plan
The ICAO assessment of Australias safety oversight system took place on 9-20 August 1999.
The audit team found that overall Australias safety oversight regulatory system was comprehensive and no significant safety deficiencies were identified. The auditors made sixteen Recommendations and noted a number of differences to the SARPs in Annexes 1, 6 and 8.
Audit report of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) of Australia
During 2004 the ATSB requested an ICAO audit to ensure that it met international best practise for aviation accident and incident safety investigation.
The field stage of the audit was conducted in May/June 2004 and the final audit report was transmitted in October 2004. The ICAO audit team commended the positive and professional approach of the ATSB in proactively seeking the audit and while making a number of very positive findings, also made a number of recommendations for improving various elements of safety investigation.
More information regarding the Audit report of the ATSB by ICAO can be found here.