RPAS Testing Service Providers Framework

The MSA has a legislative obligation to carry out evaluations of drone products if the MSA believes a product presents a risk to health or safety, as per Article 36 of UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945.

The third-party 'RPAS Testing Service Providers' may be expected to perform a variety of product evaluations for class marked drones. This could involve evaluating compliance against the regulatory requirements and product standards set out in UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945, The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 (Directive 2014/30/EU), The Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (Directive 2014/53/EU) and The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (Directive 2006/42/EC)345.

This requires technical knowledge and expertise across performance and design requirements, noise testing, verification methods, manufacturer manuals and instructions, geo-awareness, and remote identification, among others. In addition, the RPAS Testing Service Provider would require the capability to test non-drone specific product standards related to product safety (e.g. mechanics and electronics systems). The RPAS Testing Service Provider may also be requested to conduct product evaluations for any other concerns related to public health, safety and security, such as cyber security and chemical hazards.

Technical standards will contain verification methods to perform some of the product evaluations. Existing standards are available, which may be similar to the potential designated standards (e.g. prEN 4709-001 'Aerospace series - Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Part 001: Product requirements and verification'). The MSA will be responsible for the management and oversight of the product evaluations performed by the RPAS Testing Service Providers, including the communication and coordination with other authorities, industry and the public. In addition, the MSA will be responsible for any decisions that are made on market intervention measures (e.g. product recalls) following the completion of a product evaluation.

The MSA will procure the RPAS Testing Service Provider services. One option could be to have a procurement framework for the RPAS Testing Service Providers. The suppliers on this potential procurement framework would require the capability to perform some, if not all, of the product evaluations specified and ensure no conflict of interest would arise. If the MSA identifies the need for a product evaluation, the MSA would issue a set of requirements on that framework.

The RPAS Testing Service Providers on the framework would prepare a statement of work (SOW) to outline their delivery approach with associated costs. The MSA would review the SOW responses and subsequently award the procurement to the winning RPAS Testing Service Provider. The RPAS Testing Service Provider would perform the product evaluation based on the MSA requirements and submit their results and recommendations to the MSA to inform a decision on the potential market intervention.