---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 5.21"
title: "14"
number: "5.21"
heading: "Safety policy."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/5.21"
---

# §5.21. Safety policy.

- (a) Any person required to have an SMS under this part must have a safety policy that includes at least the following:
  - (1) **The person's safety objectives.**
  - (2) **The person's commitment to fulfill the safety objectives.**
  - (3) **A clear statement about the provision of the necessary resources for the implementation of the SMS.**
  - (4) A safety reporting policy that defines requirements for employee reporting of safety hazards or issues.
  - (5) **A policy that defines unacceptable behavior and conditions for disciplinary action.**
  - (6) An emergency response plan that provides for the safe transition from normal to emergency operations in accordance with the requirements of [§ 5.27](/cfr/14/5.27.md).
  - (7) A code of ethics that is applicable to all employees, including management personnel and officers, which clarifies that safety is the organization's highest priority.
- (b) The safety policy must be signed by the accountable executive described in [§ 5.25](/cfr/14/5.25.md).
- (c) The safety policy must be documented and communicated throughout the person's organization.
- (d) The safety policy must be regularly reviewed by the accountable executive to ensure it remains relevant and appropriate to the person.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Doc. No. FAA-2009-0671, Amdt. 5-1, 80 FR 1326, Jan. 8, 2015, as amended by Amdt. 5-2, 89 FR 33106, Apr. 26, 2024]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40101, 40113, 40119, 41706, 44101, 44701-44702, 44705, 44709-44711, 44713, 44716-44717, 44722, 46105; Sec. 102, Pub. L. 116-260, 134 Stat. 2309; Sec 215, Pub. L. 111-216, 124 Stat. 2366.

### Source

Source: Doc. No. FAA-2009-0671, Amdt. 5-1, 80 FR 1326, Jan. 8, 2015, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[Doc. No. FAA-2009-0671, Amdt. 5-1, 80 FR 1326, Jan. 8, 2015, as amended by Amdt. 5-2, 89 FR 33106, Apr. 26, 2024]