Between 2018 and 2019, the EU enacted multiple regulations to govern the safe operation of civil drones, including Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (on common rules in civil aviation and establishing the European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (on unmanned aircraft systems) and 2019/947 (on rules and procedures for operating unmanned aircraft). These regulations classify drones into Open, Specific, and Certified Categories based on weight, specifications, and operational risks, mandating compliance testing (e.g., EN 4709 series) to avoid market bans or recalls.
Is Your Drone Ready for EU Compliance?
Regulatory Background
Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (published August 22, 2018): Expands EU oversight to all civil drones (excluding state aircraft), removing the previous 150 kg maximum takeoff weight threshold.
Regulation (EU) 2019/945 & 2019/947 (published June 11, 2019): Establish a risk-based framework for safe drone operations in EU airspace. These regulations apply to all EU member states from December 31, 2020, with specific provisions of Regulation 2019/947 effective from January 1, 2024.
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has drafted supporting standards (EN 4709 series) for drone testing.
Ti Group Insights
What are the EU drone categories?
Under Regulation (EU) 2019/947 & 2019/945, drones are classified by operational risk (not commercial use) into:
Open Category (low-risk operations)
Specific Category (medium-risk, requiring operational authorization)
Certified Category (high-risk, requiring full certification)
Subclasses and requirements for Open/Specific Categories?
Open Category: Subdivided into C0-C4 classes, tested against EN 4709-001, 002, 003, 004.
Specific Category: Includes C5-C6 and others, tested against EN 4709-005, 006, 007, 008.
Key tests for Open Category drones?
Mandatory compliance with:
EN 4709-001 (general requirements)
EN 4709-002 (flight performance)
EN 4709-003 (crash resilience)
EN 4709-004 (noise emissions)
Why is compliance testing critical?
Regulation (EU) 2019/945, Article 39 requires non-compliant products to be withdrawn, recalled, or banned.
Major e-commerce platforms mandate certification documents for product listings.
Why Choose Ti Group?
EU Expertise: Accredited testing for EN 4709 series and EU drone regulations.
Risk Mitigation: Proactive compliance strategies to avoid market penalties.
End-to-End Solutions: From design review to certification, ensuring seamless market access.