The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will take on a new role as the Market Surveillance Authority (MSA) to monitor and enforce new product standards for drones in the UK, with the aim of improving safety and supporting the sector’s further growth.
From 1 January 2026, drones operating in the Open Category – which covers low-risk drone flights and leisure activities – will be subject to product standards under a framework known as Class Marking, improving the safety and security of the sector. The Class Marking framework for Open Category product standards is based on retained EU law.
The MSA will be responsible for ensuring that the required standards for drones are met by manufacturers, as well as importers and distributors, and intervening when there is non-compliance. The CAA said this means drone users will have more confidence that the drones they purchase are safe and comply with safety standards.
Sophie O’Sullivan, Director of Future of Flight at the CAA, said the MSA appointment is important to assist in the authority’s work regulating and enabling the expanding drone sector. “As drones become more commonplace in everyday life, protecting public safety and interest is critical. These new powers will help us continue to uphold the highest safety standards across the industry.”
As MSA the CAA will be responsible for:
- Ensuring required standards for RPAS are met by manufacturers and other economic operators (e.g. importers and distributors) and intervening when there is non-compliance. This will involve executing the surveillance and control of products placed on or entering the market under UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945.
- Implementing and overseeing the conformity assessment framework in the UK (subject to regulatory change), ensuring manufacturers demonstrate compliance with designated standards applicable for class marked RPAS. This will involve the management, oversight, approval and withdrawal of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), which are third-party organisations that perform conformity assessment activities on RPAS to ensure products are compliant with requirements.
- Helping the MSA function mature as the regulatory environment continues to develop.
The CAA said it is recruiting specialists with the skills and experience to ensure the sector has the necessary management, oversight and approvals in place.
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