21.A.143 Production organisation exposition

GENERAL

(a)The purpose of the production organisation exposition (POE) is to state in a concise documented format the organisational relationships, responsibilities, terms of reference, and the associated authority, procedures, means and methods of the organisation. The information to be provided is specified in point 21.A.143(a). Where this information is documented and integrated in manuals, procedures and instructions, the POE should provide a summary of the information and an appropriate cross-reference.

(b)Point 21.A.143(b) requires that the initial issued of the POE is approved by the competent authority. Revisions of the POE are subject to the process that is described in point (c) below.

(c)When changes to the organisation occur, according to point 21.A.143(c), the POE is required to be kept up to date. This should be done as per a procedure that is laid down in the POE. If the changes are significant, the organisation should not amend the POE before the competent authority approves the change in accordance with point 21.A.147.

CONTENT OF THE PRODUCTION ORGANISATION EXPOSITION

(a)All staff should be familiar with those production organisation exposition (POE) parts that are relevant to their tasks.

(b)A paragraph in the POE should provide a description of the organisation, as well as the safety policy and the corresponding objectives, as required by point 21.A.139(c)(1).

(c)The POE should include a statement, signed by the accountable manager (and countersigned by the senior company manager, if different), which confirms that the POE and any associated manuals are complied with at all times. This statement should read as follows, or embrace the intent of the following text: ‘This exposition defines the organisation and the procedures upon which the competent authority’s* production organisation approval (POA) is based. These procedures are approved by the undersigned, and must be complied with, as applicable, to ensure that all production activities are performed on time and to an approved standard. It is understood that the approval of the production organisation (PO) is based on the organisation’s continuous compliance with the applicable requirements of Part 21, and with the organisation’s procedures that are described in this exposition. The competent authority* is entitled to limit, suspend, or revoke the approval if the organisation fails to fulfil the obligations that are imposed by Part 21, or any conditions according to which the approval was issued. Signed ...................................... Dated ...................................... Accountable manager and ...................................... (quote the position of the signatory) Senior company manager ...................................... For and on behalf of ...................................... (quote the organisation’s name)’ *Where ‘competent authority’ is stated, please insert the actual name of the approving competent-authority organisation or administration that grants the POA. The statement should be reissued at the earliest opportunity when the accountable manager changes.

(d)The POE should include the description of the internal safety reporting scheme that is required by point 21.A.3A(b)(1).

(e)The POE should include the safety management procedures (including identification of safety hazards, evaluation, and associated risks management), safety assurance procedures, and safety promotion processes.

(f)If the organisation holds one or more additional organisation certificates within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and the delegated and implementing acts that are adopted on the basis thereof, so that the organisation is required to establish another exposition, the organisation may combine the documents by producing a separate manual or supplement that covers the differences between the POE and the other exposition. In that case, the manual or supplement should identify where in the other exposition the remaining information on the production organisation (PO) is covered. That remaining information then formally becomes part of the exposition.

(g)The organisation may document its safety policy, safety objectives, and all the safety management system key processes (as required by point 21.A.139(c)) in a separate manual (e.g. a safety management manual or management system manual) or in its POE. Organisations that hold multiple organisation approvals, which are issued under Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and the delegated and implementing acts that are adopted on the basis thereof, may prefer to have a separate manual to avoid duplication.