Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) that form the technical and procedural backbone of international civil aviation.
The Annexes to the Chicago Convention contain Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). A Standard is any specification whose uniform application is recognized as necessary for the safety or regularity of international air navigation. A Recommended Practice is any specification whose uniform application is recognized as desirable.
States notify ICAO of any differences between their national regulations and related ICAO Standards. There are currently 19 Annexes covering everything from personnel licensing to environmental protection.
Standards for the licensing of flight crew members, air traffic controllers, aeronautical station operators, and aircraft maintenance personnel. Defines medical fitness requirements, knowledge, experience and skill requirements.
General rules, visual flight rules (VFR) and instrument flight rules (IFR) that govern the operation of aircraft in flight and on the ground. Defines right of way rules, flight plans, and signals.
Standards for provision of meteorological services — METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, PIREPs, and upper air observations. Defines the World Area Forecast System (WAFS).
Specifications for aeronautical charts used in international air navigation including enroute charts, approach charts, aerodrome charts, and electronic terrain and obstacle data.
Standardizes the units of measurement used in air and ground operations — the International System of Units (SI) — ensuring global consistency in altitude, speed, distance, and weight reporting.
Standards for the operation of aircraft in international air transport. Three parts: International Commercial Air Transport (Aeroplanes), International General Aviation (Aeroplanes), and International Operations (Helicopters).
Requirements for registration and identification of aircraft. Defines the nationality mark (country prefix) and registration mark system, and specifies how marks must be displayed on aircraft.
Standards for the certification and continued airworthiness of aircraft. Defines the basis for bilateral recognition of certificates of airworthiness between states for the purpose of international air navigation.
Standards to expedite the passage of aircraft, passengers, crew, baggage, cargo, and mail across international borders. Covers customs, immigration, public health, and quarantine procedures.
Standards for aeronautical telecommunications systems and equipment including radio navigation aids (ILS, VOR, DME, NDB), communications systems, surveillance (SSR, ADS-B), and the aeronautical fixed service.
Standards for air traffic control, flight information, and alerting services. Defines controlled airspace classification (A through G), separation standards, and ATC procedures for the safe and orderly flow of air traffic.
Organization and operation of civil aviation search and rescue (SAR) services. Defines the responsibilities of SAR authorities, coordination with other services, and survival equipment requirements.
Standards for the notification, investigation, and reporting of aircraft accidents and incidents. Defines the sole objective of investigation as prevention — not apportionment of blame or liability.
Physical characteristics and obstacle limitation surfaces for aerodromes, visual aids, electrical systems, and rescue and fire fighting. Two volumes: Aerodrome Design and Operations, and Heliports.
Standards for the collection and dissemination of aeronautical information — AIPs, NOTAMs, AIRACs, AIP Supplements, and the Aeronautical Information Regulation and Control system.
Aircraft noise certification standards and aircraft engine emissions standards. Three volumes: Aircraft Noise, Aircraft Engine Emissions, and Aeroplane CO2 Emissions. Foundation for CORSIA implementation.
Standards and Recommended Practices to protect civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference. Covers passenger and baggage screening, cargo security, access control, and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
Standards for the classification, packing, marking, labelling, and documentation of dangerous goods carried by air. Aligned with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and the UN Model Regulations.
The newest Annex (adopted 2013, amended 2016). Consolidates safety management provisions from across multiple Annexes into one framework — the Safety Management System (SMS) and State Safety Programme (SSP).
Understand what each of the 193 ICAO member states is obligated to implement from these Annexes.