Guide to the Latest European Regulations

Starting January 1, 2024, a series of new regulatory provisions will affect the entry of drones into the European market under the Open Category. It is important to be aware of these changes to ensure compliance and safety when using drones in different scenarios.

In accordance with the new legislation, all new drones placed on the European market in the Open Category from January 1, 2024 will have to be marked with a specific class marking. For drones operating in the Specific category, including Italian standard scenarios, it will be mandatory to use an active and up-to-date remote identification system (ID Remote).

It is important to note that drones with C1, C2, C3, C5 and C6 class markings already have a built-in Remote ID system. For C0 class drones, such as the DJI Mini 4 Pro, and for self-built drones without class marking placed on the market before January 1, 2024, Remote ID is not mandatory under the Open Category.

As of Jan. 1, 2024, “old” drones without class markings and self-built drones may continue to be used in A1 if they have mtom < 250g; otherwise, they will be for use in A3. In these cases, Remote ID will not be required.

As for drones used in the Specific category, they can be adapted by applying an external Remote ID device that complies with the standards and has a certificate of compliance. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) periodically updates a list of such devices.

Operators of C1, C2, C3, C5 and C6 class drones must already now enter the UAS operator number during the registration process on the drone management app, as is done on d-flight in Italy. For specific drones, this requirement will go into effect on January 1, 2024. The system requests validation of the code entered, using the last 3 secret digits (nnnnnnnnn-xxx) to prevent cloning of one’s code.

Remote ID information, including operator number, serial number, altitude, speed, course, home point, etc., will be transmitted by the drone via wifi/bluetooth signal and can be received by dedicated apps on the latest generation of smartphones. However, only law enforcement agencies will have access to the database to identify the operator corresponding to the drone’s registration number.

EASA emphasizes the possibility for National Aviation Authorities, such asENAC in Italy, to exempt drones from Remote ID and other requirements by establishing specific UAS geographic zones, similar to what is already done for model aircraft UAS geographic zones. It is advisable to stay informed about the decisions of national authorities to ensure compliance with local regulations.