Safety Oversight Audit (SOA) Section

The Safety Oversight Audit (SOA) Section of the ICAO Safety and Security Audits (SSA) Branch is responsible for the management of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) that was launched by ICAO in 1999. The SOA Section establishes and schedules teams to conduct USOAP audits according to an annual plan based on a six-year cycle involving all ICAO Contracting States and other oversight entities. The audit teams rely to some extent on approved auditors seconded by Contracting States.

In implementing USOAP, the SOA Section may make recommendations on how to resolve or mitigate shortcomings disclosed by safety oversight audits, and also approves the action plans proposed by States for correcting identified deficiencies.

In addition to coordinating and implementing safety oversight audits, the SOA Section s primary responsibilities include:

• developing and maintaining the standard safety oversight auditing procedures and tools;
   
• maintaining quality control of the audit process and audit products; and
   
• training and approval of USOAP auditors, in liaison with the Audit Coordination and Reporting (ACR) Section.

For more information please contact:

Safety Oversight Audit (SOA) Section
Telephone: +1 514-954-6751
Fax: +1 514-954-8200
E-mail: soa@icao.int