Accredited Certification Body
The first accredited certification body in the world for ISO 21384-3.
ISO 21384-3 is the internationally recognized, consensus standard for the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. On February 15, 2022, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredited Altomaxx Assurance to certify operator processes under the standard.
Accreditation under ISO/IEC 17065 means Altomaxx Assurance is itself audited, monitored, and witness-audited by the SCC. The certification we grant carries weight because the body granting it is held to a standard too.
Accredited by the Standards Council of Canada · CAN 0316 · SCC file 10088
First SCC-accredited certification body for ISO 21384-3
Assessable clauses in the standard
Individually assessed requirements
Certification cycle with annual surveillance assessments
The Standard
Developed by ISO/TC 20, Aircraft and space vehicles, and its subcommittee SC 16, Uncrewed aircraft system, 21384-3 brings UAS operations into alignment with the standards culture of established civil aviation.
Every program is classified into one of three operational categories, which determines which requirements of the standard apply:
Category 01OpenThe lowest-risk operations, with the fewest requirements of the standard applied.RiskLow risk to third partiesMTOMIn most jurisdictions 25 kgOperationsVLOSPurposeRecreational through commercial aerial work and transport of freightRisk assessmentNot required
Category 02SpecificThe middle tier, where most requirements of the standard apply.RiskMedium, or regulated lower riskMTOMUnlimitedOperationsVLOS, EVLOS, BVLOSPurposeCommercial work, including one pilot flying several aircraft and autonomous operationsRisk assessmentRequired
Category 03CertifiedThe highest tier, carrying full engineering-level certification requirements.RiskHigh, comparable to crewed commercial air operationsMTOMUnlimitedOperationsVLOS, EVLOS, BVLOS, international IFRPurposeUp to transporting people on board, commercial or non-commercialRisk assessmentProactive, predictive safety management
Not sure which category your program falls into? The client questionnaire at application establishes your scope before any certification activity begins.
The assessable clauses then cover:
Safety and Security
Safety policy, safety risk management, and in-house security measures.
Data Protection and Cyber Security
Hardware and software procedures and training.
UAS Operator
The documentation the operator holds: insurance, legal operating permissions, aircraft and pilot registrations, and licensing.
Airspace
Compliance with airspace regulations in your jurisdiction.
Flight Operations
Flight planning, flight preparation, in-flight procedures, operational limits, personnel roles and responsibilities, and training.
Maintenance
Equipment updates and configuration management across the hardware and software environment.
Privacy (Annex A)
Privacy Etiquette: the protection and handling of sensitive or personal information.
Why It Matters
UAS operations carry significant aviation and reputational risk. Regulations set the floor, not the playbook. Whether you are hiring a UAS operator for a project or you are the operator stepping onto one, certification is proof that the gap is covered.
Manage the Risk You Buy
Every UAS service provider on your project carries aviation risk with them, whether you hired a survey firm, an inspection crew, or a dedicated UAS operator. ISO 21384-3 certification gives you a documented, repeatable way to qualify them.
Independent Verification
Certification is independent third-party validation of your UAS operational procedures against an international consensus standard for UAS operations. Not self-declared. Verified.
Regulatory Confidence
National regulators help shape ISO standards and recognize mature standards as a means of demonstrating compliance. A certified program shows your regulator you operate responsibly.
Qualifying UAS service providers on a project, or want to be the operator that proves you stand above the rest? Book a call and our team will explain what certification covers and how to verify an operator’s certificate in the register.
How It Works
Certification is multi-step by design. Each stage exists so that the certificate at the end means something, and the process strengthens your program along the way: it is not a pass or fail exam, and you have the opportunity to make changes as you work through it.
Certification runs under a three-year service agreement that includes annual surveillance assessments. Reassessment in year four renews certification and begins a new cycle.
Certification granted, valid from the date of issue.
Confirms the system is maintained and performing.
Continued monitoring, including transition support when the standard is revised.
A full review renews certification and begins a new cycle.
Ready to start the application? Tell us about your UAS program and where you operate. Our team will cover scope, process, and a program-specific quotation.
Are You Ready
Certification happens when a program is ready for it. Before applying, we encourage every operator to complete an internal gap analysis against six areas:
Altomaxx Assurance offers ISO 21384-3 Education to help companies assess their readiness for certification. The course covers the standard’s clauses and criteria, certification requirements, and real-world examples of compliant UAS operations. The course is general education. It is not company-specific advice and does not replace the certification assessment.
Watch
Policies for impartiality, logo use, complaints and appeals, evaluation procedures, and certification scope.
Why accredited certification matters for credibility, regulatory acceptance, and long-term trust, and how to spot the difference.
ISO 21384-3 certification with Altomaxx Assurance, from application to surveillance.
Common Questions
Contact Altomaxx Assurance to complete a short survey and discuss your program. Fees are presented in a program-specific quotation, developed before certification activities begin, based on the size and complexity of your program.
The standard applies to mature programs too. Certification aligns your operations with the practices outlined in 21384-3, and operating to an industry standard streamlines your process.
Yes. ISO 9001 is a strong stepping stone. Existing processes and document control procedures support the requirements of 21384-3, and your team already has a working knowledge of what ISO expects.
Maintenance is as straightforward as your own procedures. The standard gives you a reference point to stay in compliance. Involve your entire team in the process and in maintaining it.
Low. Certification happens when a program is ready for it, and there is a real advantage in getting in early: build to a consensus standard from the start and your operations scale with risks and processes verified. We encourage an in-house gap assessment first, and programs that need more time can close non-conformities and pursue certification at a later date without starting over.
The documentation requirements are outlined in the standard, so the first step is to purchase the standard and measure your operations against it. An internal gap analysis is the best preparation for certification activities.
Ready to talk certification?
Reach us directly: ISO@altomaxx.com | 1 833 258 6629 (toll-free, Canada and US)
