21.A.9 Access and investigation

ARRANGEMENTS The arrangements made by the applicant for, or holder of, a type certificate (TC), restricted type certificate (RTC), supplemental type certificate (STC), a European technical standard order (ETSO) authorisation, a major repair design approval, a permit to fly, a design organisation approval (DOA), a production organisation approval (POA), or a letter of agreement under Part 21 are required to allow the competent authority to make investigations that include the complete organisation, including its partners, subcontractors, and suppliers, whether they are in the State of the applicant or not. The investigations may include audits, enquiries, questions, discussions, and explanations, monitoring, witnessing, inspections, checks, as well as flight and ground tests and inspections of completed products, parts, or appliances that are either designed or produced. In order to maintain its confidence in the standards that are achieved by the organisation, the competent authority may make an investigation into a sample product, part, or appliance and of its associated records, reports, and certifications. The arrangements are required to enable the organisation to assist the competent authority and cooperate with it in conducting the investigation during the initial assessment and the subsequent surveillance. ‘Cooperation in conducting the investigation’ means that the competent authority has been granted full and free access to the facilities and to any information relevant to demonstrating compliance with the Part 21 requirements, and has been provided assistance, as necessary. ‘Assistance to the competent authority’ includes all the appropriate means regarding the facilities of the organisation, to allow the competent authority to conduct the investigation, such as meeting rooms, offices, personnel support, records, documentation, computer data, and communication facilities, all properly and promptly made available, as necessary. The competent authority seeks to have an open relationship with the organisation, and suitable liaison staff are required to be nominated to facilitate this, including one or more suitable representatives to accompany competent authority staff during visits, not only at the organisation’s own facilities, but also at subcontractors, partners, or suppliers.