From 1 January 2009, States shall require, as part of their safety program, that an operator implements a safety management system acceptable to the State of the operator that, as a minimum:
(a) identifies safety hazards;
(b) ensures that remedial action necessary to maintain an acceptable level of safety is implemented;
(c) provides for continuous monitoring and regular assessment of the safety level achieved; and
(d) aims to make continuous improvement to the overall level of safety.
Para 3.2.5 states:
A safety management system shall clearly define lines of safety accountability throughout the operator’s organization, including a direct accountability for safety on the part of senior management.
The wording in Annex 6 covering safety management systems for Approved Maintenance Organizations is exactly the same.