The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) announced the world’s first ISO-approved drone standards today, following a 12-month consultation.
This important first step is part of a wider deliverable by ISO which is expected to trigger rapid acceleration in the use of air drones, also known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
“Drones are a transformative global phenomenon, offering an unprecedented economic opportunity for those businesses and countries with the foresight to embrace this technology. My own conversations with Government, businesses and other stakeholders have shown that the new Standards will be enthusiastically welcomed and will empower organisations to discover how they can use drone technology to enhance their competitive position, adding value and creating growth and jobs,” said Robert Garbett, Convenor of the ISO Working Group responsible for global air drone operational Standards.
The new ISO-approved standards include protocols on quality, safety, security and overall etiquette for the operation of commercial air drones, which will help shape future regulation and legislation. It is the first in a series of emerging standards for air drones, with others due to address general specifications, product manufacture and maintenance, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) and testing procedures.
The Product Manufacture standards for UAS, which are due to be published next year, will combine with the operational standards already published to establish a full-airworthiness suite of standards for UAS.
