United States of America has introduced updated certification requirements for transport airplanes and propulsion systems to modernize safety and performance standards.
US Updates Transport Airplane and Engine Certification Rules
New standards apply to domestic aviation products only.
What changed
Unified certification framework for transport airplanes and propulsion systems including jet engines and turbofans.
HS code coverage expanded to include 880230, 841229, and 848310 for aviation components.
Domestic market only – requirements apply exclusively to products intended for use within the United States.
Who it affects
Transport airplane manufacturers must comply with updated certification standards for domestic aircraft.
Propulsion system makers including jet engine and turbofan manufacturers need new certification.
Importers of aviation components under HS codes 880230, 841229, and 848310 must ensure compliance.
Regulation Analysis: Updated Certification Requirements for Transport Airplanes and Propulsion Systems in the U.S.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled "Transport Airplane and Propulsion Certification Modernization" to amend airworthiness regulations under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 25. This proposal aims to modernize certification standards for transport category airplanes and propulsion systems by reducing regulatory burdens while maintaining or enhancing safety. Below is a structured breakdown of the key requirements, objectives, and procedural details.
1. Key Objectives and Regulatory Changes
The NPRM introduces the following core changes:
- Deregulatory and Relieving Measures:
The proposal reduces the need for exemptions, special conditions, and equivalent level of safety (ELOS) findings during certification1, 2. This streamlines the process by incorporating previously case-by-case requirements directly into the regulations, thereby lowering administrative overhead for both industry and the FAA1.
- Removal and Relocation of SFAR No. 109:
The FAA proposes to remove Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 109 from 14 CFR Part 25 and relocate its requirements into the main regulatory framework1, 2. This consolidation aims to eliminate redundancy and improve clarity.
- Harmonization with International Standards:
The rule aligns FAA regulations with international airworthiness standards, addressing recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and industry stakeholders1, 2.
- Cost and Time Savings:
The FAA expects the proposal to reduce certification costs and timelines for new and modified products while maintaining or improving safety levels1, 2.
2. Procedural Timeline and Comment Period
The NPRM was published on June 26, 2026 (91 FR 38878), with an initial comment deadline of August 25, 20261, 2. However, the FAA extended the comment period to September 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time to allow additional stakeholder input1.
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 CFR Part 25 (NPRM) | Modernizes certification standards for transport airplanes and propulsion systems1, 2. | Comment period closes: September 24, 20261. | FAA (Department of Transportation) |
| Removal of SFAR No. 109 | Relocates requirements from SFAR No. 109 into Part 251, 2. | Not specified (proposed adoption date TBD) | FAA |
| Reduction of Exemptions/ELOS Findings | Reduces reliance on special conditions and ELOS findings1, 2. | Not specified | FAA |
3. Submission of Comments
Stakeholders, including WTO Members, may submit comments through the following channels:
- Regulations.gov: Docket No. FAA-2026-0430 (2(https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2026-0430/document)).
- USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point: Email submissions to usatbtep@nist.gov by September 24, 20261, 2.
Comments received by the USA TBT Enquiry Point will be shared with the FAA and posted to the docket1.
4. Regulatory Impact
- Safety: The proposal maintains or increases safety levels despite streamlining requirements1, 2.
- Industry Benefits: Expected to reduce certification costs and timelines for manufacturers and the FAA1, 2.
- International Alignment: Harmonizes U.S. standards with global airworthiness regulations1, 2.
Summary Answer
The FAA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Transport Airplane and Propulsion Certification Modernization (Docket No. FAA-2026-0430) proposes amendments to 14 CFR Part 25 to modernize certification standards for transport airplanes and propulsion systems1, 2. Key changes include reducing exemptions and special conditions, removing SFAR No. 109, and harmonizing with international standards1, 2. The comment period, initially set to close on August 25, 2026, was extended to September 24, 20261. The rule aims to lower certification costs and timelines while maintaining or improving safety1, 2. Stakeholders may submit comments via Regulations.gov or the USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point1, 2.
Sources
- ↩ Transport Airplane and Propulsion Certification Modernization — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN26/USA2295A1.docx
- ↩ Transport Airplane and Propulsion Certification Modernization — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN26/USA2295.docx