EPA Collaboration on International Air Pollution Standards for Aircraft
Overview
The EPA has long collaborated at International Civil Aviation Organization to develop global standards to control emissions from aircraft engines and airplanes. ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that sets international standards for aviation safety, security, efficiency, capacity, and environmental protection. The EPA works with ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection, which was established in 1983 with the purpose to develop global policies and standards related to aircraft noise and emissions. The FAA leads the US delegation to CAEP, and the EPA serves as a technical advisor on the US delegation.
CAEP operates on a 3-year decision making cycle. As of September 2025, CAEP consists of 34 voting member States, 5 observer states, and 15 observer organizations. At the final meeting of a CAEP cycle, the work program for the next cycle is agreed upon (e.g., at the 13th meeting of CAEP (CAEP/13) in February 2025, the work program for the CAEP/14 cycle, from February 2025 - February 2028, was discussed and agreed). Member States of CAEP meet annually at Steering Group meetings to help direct the technical work during the cycle.
The standards development and analysis work is conducted through technical working groups consisting of representatives from member State regulators, industry, airports, environmental NGOs, and research organizations. Within the working groups at CAEP, the EPA and FAA both serve in leadership roles and provide technical support for testing and standards development.