Article 6 — Collection and storage of information

1.       Each organisation established in a Member State shall designate one or more persons to handle independently the collection, evaluation, processing, analysis and storage of details of occurrences reported pursuant to Articles 4 and 5.

The handling of the reports shall be done with a view to preventing the use of information for purposes other than safety, and shall appropriately safeguard the confidentiality of the identity of the reporter and of the persons mentioned in occurrence reports, with a view to promoting a ‘just culture’.

2.       By agreement with the competent authority, small organisations may put in place a simplified mechanism for the collection, evaluation, processing, analysis and storage of details of occurrences. They may share those tasks with organisations of the same nature, while complying with the rules on confidentiality and protection pursuant to this Regulation.

3.       Each Member State shall designate one or more competent authorities to establish a mechanism to independently collect, evaluate, process, analyse and store details of occurrences reported pursuant to Articles 4 and 5.

The handling of the reports shall be done with a view to preventing the use of information for purposes other than safety, and shall appropriately safeguard the confidentiality of the identity of the reporter and of the persons mentioned in occurrence reports, with a view to promoting a ‘just culture’.

The authorities which may be designated pursuant to the first subparagraph, either jointly or separately, are the following:

(a)      the national civil aviation authority; and/or

(b)     the safety investigation authority; and/or

(c)      any other independent body or entity based in the Union that is entrusted with this function.

Where a Member State designates more than one body or entity, it shall designate one of them as point of contact for the transfer of information referred to in Article 8(2).

4.       The Agency shall designate one or more persons to establish a mechanism to independently collect, evaluate, process, analyse and store details of occurrences reported in accordance with Articles 4 and 5.

The handling of the reports shall be done with a view to preventing the use of information for purposes other than safety, and shall appropriately safeguard the confidentiality of the identity of the reporter and of the persons mentioned in occurrence reports, with a view to promoting a ‘just culture’.

5.       Organisations shall store occurrence reports drawn up on the basis of details of occurrences collected in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 in one or more databases.

6.       The competent authorities referred to in paragraph 3 shall store occurrence reports drawn up on the basis of details of occurrences collected in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 in a national database.

7.       Relevant information on accidents and serious incidents collected or issued by safety investigation authorities shall also be stored in the national database.

8.       The Agency shall store occurrence reports drawn up on the basis of details of occurrences collected in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 in a database.

9.       Safety investigation authorities shall have full access to their respective national database referred to in paragraph 6 for the purpose of discharging their responsibilities pursuant to Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 996/2010.

10.     Civil aviation authorities of Member States shall have full access to their respective national database referred to in paragraph 6 for the purposes of their safety-related responsibilities.