The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has introduced a self-declaration option for its IS-BAH ground handling safety standard, allowing organizations to declare conformity without undergoing an independent third-party audit.
Ground handling service providers can now pursue IS-BAH conformance through either the existing independent audit and stage registration path or through self-declaration, in which an organization states its own conformity with the standard. IBAC said the option is intended to help ground handlers meet their obligations as regulation of ground handling service providers evolves globally.
“We have introduced this self-declaration option to allow organizations to use the IS-BAH as a tool to help them meet their obligations to safe operations and imminent regulatory oversight of ground handling service providers,” said Terry Yeomans, director of the IS-BAH program. “We believe most organizations will continue to seek independent confirmation that their internal processes meet the requirements of the IS-BAH. Third-party verification continues to provide the highest level of credibility.”
Yeomans noted that customers or regulators may question claims of conformity without a third-party review.
Kurt Edwards, IBAC director general, said: “This self-declaration option will make the IS-BAH standard more accessible for many independent ground handling service providers around the world. They will now have access to the international practices, guidelines and protocols of this ICAO-recognized standard to nurture their own safety culture.”
