At a glance
- The UK’s aerospace regulator has been appointed as the Market Surveillance Authority (MSA) for drones.
- From 1 January 2026, drones in the Open Category must meet new product standards under the Class Marking framework to enhance safety and security.
- The MSA will ensure compliance with these standards among manufacturers, importers, and distributors, intervening when necessary.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority will take on a new role to monitor and enforce new product standards for drones in the UK, improving safety and supporting the sector's further growth.
On Monday 17 March 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, named the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as the UK’s drone Market Surveillance Authority (MSA).
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 MSA will be responsible for ensuring required standards for drones are met by manufacturers, as well as importers and distributors, and intervening when there is non-compliance. It means drone users will have more confidence that drones they purchase are safe and comply with safety standards.
Sophie O’Sullivan, Director of Future of Flight at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
“This is a really important role to assist in our 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.”
Drones or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in the ‘Open’ Category - low risk flying with RPAS that weigh less than 25kg) - will be subject to the product standards from 1 January 2026. The Class Marking framework for Open Category product standards is based on retained EU law.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has been appointed by the Department for Transport (DfT) to take on the role of the Market Surveillance Authority (MSA), which 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 UK Civil Aviation Authority is recruiting specialists with the skills and experience to ensure the sector has the necessary management, oversight and approvals in place.