In 2023, the Department for Transport (DfT) sponsored the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to review the regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the UK. As part of this review, the CAA published the “Review of UK UAS Regulations consultation” (CAP 2610) on 22nd November 2023. This consultation set out proposals to simplify regulation, deliver greater education for UAS users, improve safety and security, and support the UAS sector transition to new regulations.
The CAA read, reviewed and engaged with all responses to the consultation. We reconsidered each of our proposals, in collaboration with the DfT, Home Office and police. This consultation reply document sets out the CAA’s final policy recommendations, as part of the review.
Our policy recommendations aim to foster growth within the UAS sector by simplifying the regulatory framework and enabling new and innovative use cases through the implementation of UK class marking. The proposed regulatory changes are designed to provide industry and operators with a smooth transition to the new framework, minimising disruption while ensuring that safety and security benefits are realised without delay. We are committed to reducing unnecessary red tape, and are therefore proposing to enable operators who have already invested in the UAS sector to continue using their existing devices in most cases. Our approach aims to create a world-leading regulatory environment for UAS that balances safety and security needs with supporting the sector to flourish.
What happens next
Following the publication of this document, we will publish our formal opinion submitted to the DfT. The DfT will in turn consider whether to implement our proposed changes.
If the DfT chooses to take forward our proposals, changes to the relevant regulations will be progressed through a statutory instrument. The timetable for this statutory instrument will be determined by the DfT. The CAA will with work the DfT to communicate this timetable to the UAS sector at the earliest opportunity.
In addition, we will continue to work closely with the police, Home Office and the DfT to ensure any changes are implemented effectively across the public sector.
- Status:
- Current
- Review comment:
- -
- Version:
- 1
- Version date:
- 08-May-2025
- View file:
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