Each ICAO Member State should establish and implement an effective safety oversight system that reflects the shared responsibility of States and the broader aviation community, to address all areas of aviation activities. The Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) measures the effective implementation of protocols that cover the entire spectrum of a State’s civil aviation oversight activities.
To standardize the conduct of audits conducted under USOAP, ICAO has established protocol questions that are based on the Chicago Convention, SARPs established in the safety-related Annexes to the Convention, as well
as associated ICAO guidance material including, but not limited to, the ICAO Safety Oversight Manual (Doc 9734— The Establishment and Management of a State’s Safety Oversight System) and Safety Management Manual (Doc 9859 Safety Management Manual, 3rd ed)
Each audit protocol is a comprehensive checklist covering all areas of a State’s safety oversight system subject to the USOAP audit process. Using the audit protocol as a guideline, ICAO is then able to determine a State’s capability for safety oversight.