ISO Proposes Global Drone Standards

Malek Murison

6 years ago

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a set of global standards for drone operations around the world. The aim is simple: to keep manned aircraft and the public safe and improve accountability among drone pilots.

The ISO has released a draft set of standards as part of a public consultation open until January 21st, 2019. The standards suggested are expected to be adopted worldwide in 2019.

A voluntary code of practice

So what does this all mean? Well, if we’re honest, not a huge amount. These standards are not compulsory. And, in some cases, rather than setting the way forward, the ISO appears to be lagging behind rules and regulations already in place in many countries around the world.

For example, the standards call for no-fly zones to be implemented around airports and sensitive locations and for geo-fencing to be used to stop flights in restricted areas.

However, there are some interesting additions. These include introducing training and maintenance standards, the requirement for drone operators to log flights in more detail, the requirement that hardware and software used is up to date, and ‘etiquette’ around drone use.

The current regulations, according to Robert Garbett, convener of the ISO working group responsible for global drone operational standards, “are not fit to enable the industry to develop”.

“Everybody across the industry believes drones can be safe and of great benefit to mankind. Operators and service providers alike are keen to establish a baseline. An industry that is moving so fast needs to be standards-led, not regulation-led. It is not efficient,” he said.

The standards, although no will “we hope, become best practice”.

The ISO is planning to introduce further standards relating to general specifications and manufacturing quality in the future.

The need for standards

Unsurprisingly, many of the news reports outlining the ISO’s push for drone standards have pointed to the rise in near-misses between drones and airplanes. That’s fair enough. But some have gone as far as to suggest that our skies are currently a ‘wild west‘ in which drone pilots can do what they want.

As we know all too well, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, near-misses are on the rise – in the UK at least – but that rise is far lower than the spike in drone use from hobbyists and commercial flyers. It remains a tiny minority that are breaking existing rules. Because yes, there are existing rules.

It’s up to enforcement agencies to do more to show rogue pilots that they can’t get away with it. It’s also up to media organizations to better present the reality to the public: which is that drones are saving far more lives than they are putting at risk.

So yes, standards are all well and good, and will provide a useful benchmark for new pilots and regulators. But they are just one aspect of creating a more responsible culture of flying, a better educated public and a stronger drone industry for the long term.

Malek Murison

Malek Murison is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for tech trends and innovation. He handles product reviews, major releases and keeps an eye on the enthusiast market for DroneLife.
Email Malek
Twitter:@malekmurison

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