EASA Form 1: the Authorised Release Certificate explained
EASA Form 1 is the Authorised Release Certificate. A production organisation uses it to declare that new engines, propellers, parts and appliances conform to their design data. A maintenance organisation uses it to release a component after maintenance; under Part-145 it is the component's certificate of release to service. It is not a shipping note, it cannot release an aircraft, and it is not an approval to install the part.
- Rules
- Part 21 Appendix I (production); Part-M Appendix II (maintenance)
- Issued by
- Approved production organisations, Part-145, Part-M Subpart F and Part-CAO maintenance organisations
- Signed by
- Only persons specifically authorised under the rules and policies of the competent authority
- Used for
- New engines, propellers, parts and appliances; components after maintenance
- Not used for
- Releasing an aircraft (see EASA Form 52 and Form 53), or as a delivery note
Production release or maintenance release
The same form has two completion instructions. Production releases use blocks 13a to 13e and shade block 14; maintenance releases use blocks 14a to 14e and shade block 13. A mixture of production released and maintenance released items is not permitted on the same certificate.
| Production release | Maintenance release | |
|---|---|---|
| Rule | Part 21 Appendix I and 21.A.163(c) | Part-M Appendix II and 145.A.50(d) |
| Issued by | Production organisation approval holder (or a Part 21 Light producer) | Part-145, Part-M Subpart F or Part-CAO maintenance organisation |
| Block 11 entries | PROTOTYPE or NEW | Overhauled, Repaired, Inspected/Tested or Modified (one term only) |
| Certification block | 13a to 13e: conformity to approved or non-approved design data | 14a to 14e: release to service under Part-145 or another regulation named in block 12 |
| Unused block | Block 14 shaded or marked | Block 13 shaded or marked |
Source: Part 21: Instructions for the use of EASA Form 1 (production); Part-M Appendix II: EASA Form 1 for maintenance
Who can issue an EASA Form 1
- A production organisation approval holder may issue EASA Form 1 for products other than complete aircraft, parts, appliances, CMUs and CMU components without further showing (21.A.163(c)).
- Under Part 21 Light, a producer issues EASA Form 1 on the initial transfer of ownership, stating that the item conforms to the declared design data and is in a condition for safe operation (21L.A.274).
- A Part-145 organisation issues it through authorised certifying staff after maintenance on a component off the aircraft. When an organisation maintains a component for its own use, the Form 1 may not be necessary if its MOE internal release procedures provide for that (145.A.50(d)).
- Part-M Subpart F and Part-CAO maintenance organisations tick 'other regulation specified in block 12' in block 14a and enter the component CRS statement in block 12, which ends 'THIS IS NOT A RELEASE UNDER ANNEX II (PART-145)'.
Source: 21.A.163 Privileges (production organisation approval); 21L.A.274 Issuing EASA Form 52B or EASA Form 1 (Part 21 Light); 145.A.50 Certification of maintenance; Part-M Appendix II: EASA Form 1 for maintenance
EASA Form 1 block by block
| Block | Name | What to enter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Approving competent authority / country | Name and country of the competent authority under whose jurisdiction the certificate is issued. When the competent authority is EASA, enter only 'EASA'. |
| 2 | Form header | 'AUTHORISED RELEASE CERTIFICATE EASA FORM 1'. |
| 3 | Form tracking number | The unique number from the numbering system of the organisation in block 4; letters and digits are allowed. |
| 4 | Organisation name and address | Full name and address of the organisation releasing the item(s): the production organisation (EASA Form 55) or the approved maintenance organisation (EASA Form 3). A logo is allowed if it fits in the block. |
| 5 | Work order / contract / invoice | A work order, contract, invoice or similar number so the customer can trace the item(s). |
| 6 | Item | Line item numbers when there is more than one item, so block 12 remarks can refer to them. |
| 7 | Description | Name or description of the item, preferably the term used in the instructions for continued airworthiness or maintenance data (IPC, AMM, SB, CMM). |
| 8 | Part number | The part number as it appears on the item or tag/packaging. For an engine or propeller (and a CMU in production) the type designation may be used. |
| 9 | Quantity | The quantity of items. |
| 10 | Serial number | The serial number if regulation requires one; other serial numbers may be added. Enter 'N/A' if the item has none. |
| 11 | Status / work | Production: 'PROTOTYPE' (non-approved or not yet declared design data, or re-certification of a prototype item) or 'NEW' (approved or declared design data). Maintenance: one of Overhauled, Repaired, Inspected/Tested or Modified; where more than one applies, use the term that best describes the majority of the work. |
| 12 | Remarks | The work in block 11, directly or by reference to documents, so the user can determine airworthiness; each statement must name its item in block 6. Enter 'None' if there is nothing to state. See the block 12 section below. |
| 13a | Production certification | Mark one box only: 'approved design data and are in a condition for safe operation', or 'non-approved design data specified in block 12'. Not used for maintenance release. |
| 13b | Authorised signature (production) | Signature of the authorised person. With an electronic signature, enter 'Electronic Signature on File'. |
| 13c | Approval / authorisation number | The production approval or authorisation reference issued by the competent authority. |
| 13d | Name | Name of the person signing 13b, legibly. |
| 13e | Date | Date 13b was signed, as dd mmm yyyy (for example 06 Nov 2026). |
| 14a | Maintenance certification | Tick 'Part-145.A.50 Release to Service', 'Other regulation specified in block 12', or both. At least one box must be ticked. Not used for production release. |
| 14b | Authorised signature (maintenance) | Signature of the authorised certifying staff; a unique number identifying the person may be added. |
| 14c | Certificate / approval reference | The maintenance organisation's approval reference issued by the competent authority. |
| 14d | Name | Name of the person signing 14b, legibly. |
| 14e | Date | Date 14b was signed, as dd mmm yyyy. |
Source: Part 21: Instructions for the use of EASA Form 1 (production); Part-M Appendix II: EASA Form 1 for maintenance; Part 21 Appendix I: EASA Form 1 layout
What to write in block 12 (Remarks)
Block 12 is where most findings on EASA Form 1 come from. Guidance for maintenance releases says a statement such as 'in accordance with the CMM' is not acceptable: give the maintenance documentation used, with its revision status, for all work performed.
- Maintenance data used, with revision status and reference.
- Airworthiness directives and service bulletins complied with.
- Repairs and modifications carried out, and replacement parts installed.
- Life-limited parts status and shelf-life limitations.
- Deviations from the customer work order.
- Release statements needed by a foreign civil aviation authority.
- References that aid traceability, such as batch numbers.
- For a prototype release, start block 12 with 'NOT ELIGIBLE FOR INSTALLATION ON IN-SERVICE TYPE-CERTIFICATED AIRCRAFT'.
- For a release to non-approved design data, the justification (for example pending type certificate, for test only).
Source: GM 145.A.50(d) EASA Form 1 Block 12 'Remarks'; Part-M Appendix II: EASA Form 1 for maintenance; AMC2 21.A.163(c) Completion of EASA Form 1; Part 21: Instructions for the use of EASA Form 1 (production)
Correcting an error on an EASA Form 1
The end user reports the error in writing to the originator, who may issue a new certificate if the error can be verified and corrected. The new certificate gets a new tracking number, signature and date, and does not require the item to be re-verified. Block 12 of the new certificate states: 'This certificate corrects the error(s) in block(s) [blocks] of the certificate [original tracking number] dated [original date] and does not cover conformity/condition/release to service'. Keep both certificates for the retention period of the first.
Source: Part 21: Instructions for the use of EASA Form 1 (production); Part-M Appendix II: EASA Form 1 for maintenance
Electronic EASA Form 1
A production organisation may sign EASA Form 1 electronically under a procedure submitted to its competent authority. Block 13b then states 'Electronic Signature on File', and a printed copy carries the watermark 'PRINTED FROM ELECTRONIC FILE'. Electronic exchange between trading partners is voluntary; the AMC recommends an established industry method such as ATA Spec 2000 Chapter 16.
Source: AMC No 1 to 21.A.163(c) Electronic signature and exchange of EASA Form 1
Common mistakes
- Production released and maintenance released items on the same certificate.
- Items released to approved and to non-approved design data on the same certificate.
- More than one block 11 term for a maintenance release.
- A vague block 12 ('in accordance with the CMM') without the document and revision.
- Leaving the unused block 13 or 14 open instead of shading or marking it.
- Correcting an error by hand instead of issuing a new certificate with a new tracking number.
- Using the Form 1 to release an aircraft, or treating it as approval to install.
Source: Part 21: Instructions for the use of EASA Form 1 (production); Part-M Appendix II: EASA Form 1 for maintenance; GM 145.A.50(d) EASA Form 1 Block 12 'Remarks'
Frequently asked questions
What is an EASA Form 1?
EASA Form 1 is the Authorised Release Certificate. It declares the airworthiness of new engines, propellers, parts and appliances (production release) or of maintenance done on them (maintenance release).
Who can sign an EASA Form 1?
Only persons specifically authorised under the rules and policies of the competent authority: authorised staff of a production organisation approval holder for production releases, and authorised certifying staff of an approved maintenance organisation for maintenance releases.
Can an aircraft be released with an EASA Form 1?
No. The instructions state that aircraft are not to be released using the certificate. A new aircraft is covered by an EASA Form 52 statement of conformity; maintenance a production organisation performs on a new aircraft it produced is released with EASA Form 53.
Is an EASA Form 1 an approval to install the part?
No. The form helps the end user determine the item's airworthiness approval status, but it does not automatically constitute authority to install. The aircraft maintenance records must contain an installation certification before the aircraft may fly.
What is the difference between block 13 and block 14?
Block 13 (13a to 13e) is the production release: conformity to approved or non-approved design data. Block 14 (14a to 14e) is the maintenance release to service. Only one of them is used; the other is shaded or marked.
What date format does EASA Form 1 use?
dd mmm yyyy: a two-digit day, the first three letters of the month and a four-digit year, for example 06 Nov 2026.
Can EASA Form 1 be issued electronically?
Yes. A production organisation can use an electronic signature under a procedure submitted to its competent authority, with 'Electronic Signature on File' in block 13b. Electronic exchange between trading partners is voluntary.
Is EASA Form 1 accepted outside the EU?
It is acceptable to many airworthiness authorities, but acceptance may depend on bilateral agreements or the policy of the importing authority.
Official text
This page follows the Easy Access Rules for Initial Airworthiness and Environmental Protection, November 2025 and the Easy Access Rules for Continuing Airworthiness, September 2025. The regulation text is the reference; this page is a reading aid, not legal advice.
- Part 21 Appendix I: EASA Form 1 layout
- Part 21: Instructions for the use of EASA Form 1 (production)
- Part-M Appendix II: EASA Form 1 for maintenance
- 21.A.163 Privileges (production organisation approval)
- 145.A.50 Certification of maintenance
- GM 145.A.50(d) EASA Form 1 Block 12 'Remarks'
- AMC2 21.A.163(c) Completion of EASA Form 1
- AMC No 1 to 21.A.163(c) Electronic signature and exchange of EASA Form 1
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