European proposal makes registration of drones mandatory

The European Parliament’s transport committee has supported a proposal for the mandatory registration of drones weighing 250 grams or more. The proposal contains rules that should increase the safety of drone use.

The European Commission must draw up the procedures for the mandatory registration of unmanned aircraft and rules for the identification of drones. “All certified drones and those uncertified with a maximum take-off weight of more than 250 grams should be registered,” said MEPs from the Transport and Tourism Committee, who approved an amendment to this effect on Thursday.

This concerns an amendment to the proposal for European rules that determine the security requirements with regard to the design, production, management and operation of drones. The rules should improve safety and give manufacturers clarity about what drones must comply with. At the moment, drones lighter than 150 kilograms are still subject to national legislation. By arranging this at European level, the EU politicians want to stimulate the sector.

The European Commission expects the drone sector to provide an additional 150,000 jobs in the EU by 2050. The amendments concern the proposal for common rules in the field of civil aviation.