Update on the ETS Support Facility Implications for Verification

It is now expected that Eurocontrol’s ETS Support Facility will be made available to operators by late February.
 
This is according to Neil Duffy, technical manager of ICM ETS Ltd, part of the ICM group of companies based in the Isle of Man.
 
Duffy explained that for a €400 fee, operators would be able to have reports e-mailed to them from a system that recorded the aircraft type, the actual distance flown on each flight and, through the Small Emitters Tool, which has already been approved by the European Commission, an estimate for CO2 for each flight.
 
He said the web interface to allow operators to download this information directly would not be ready for 2010 data but that operators would be able to request the reports by e-mail and have a copy sent directly to their verifiers to carry out the legally required verification.

Further information, visit: http://www.eurocontrol.int/environment/public/standard_page/ETS_Index.html.
 
What does this mean in terms of verification?
As full details have not been released about the information that will be provided in the reports, the situation remains slightly uncertain. It appears, however, they will contain sufficient information to simply be checked by the operator to ensure there are not any missing/additional flights or aircraft; this to be verified and submitted to the Competent Authority.
 
“While €400 sounds like a lot of money for information, which can be (and usually is being) gathered in-house, it does make the internal processes less onerous," Duffy said. "This directly reduces the cost of the man hours to implement, as well as making the verification easier, further reducing the cost of compliance."
 
According to Duffy, between two and three weeks of required work still remain until the system is live, and only seven weeks until the deadline, which may cause a risk of further delays if customers wai until the system is live.

"Should you rely on this system, and it is not ready in time, you will still be required to submit verified data,” Duffy said.
 
The ICM ETS can verify, using either the ETS Support Facility or operator’s own data, if the operator is unwilling to wait. If using the ETS Support Facility, the €400 fee will be included in the charge to reflect the reduction in time required to carry out the verification. Should customers choose to undergo a verification of data they have collected internally, it will require a more detailed verification, and may require a site visit depending on a risk analysis. 
 
Referring to the Tonne-Km Data, Duffy explained that the simplified method cannot be used for the tonne-km report, even if one is a small emitter. However, the ETS Support Facility is expected to provide Great Circle Distances for each eligible flight that can be used to calculate the tonne-km. Customers are still required to monitor and record the number of passengers and/or mass of cargo carried on board the aircraft for each flight as well as have the associated controls in place to do so.

"Verifying this data may still require a site visit, which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis," Duffy said.

 
For further information please contact Neil Duffy at ICM ETS LTD:
01279 680084
Email: nd@i.im