---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 5.23"
title: "14"
number: "5.23"
heading: "Safety accountability and authority."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/5.23"
---

# §5.23. Safety accountability and authority.

- (a) Any person required to have an SMS under this part must define in its safety policy the accountability for safety of the following individuals:
  - (1) Accountable executive, as described in [§ 5.25](/cfr/14/5.25.md).
  - (2) All members of management in regard to developing, implementing, and maintaining SMS processes within their area of responsibility, including, but not limited to:
    - (i) **Hazard identification and safety risk assessment.**
    - (ii) **Assuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls.**
    - (iii) **Promoting safety as required in subpart E of this part.**
    - (iv) **Advising the accountable executive on the performance of the SMS and on any need for improvement.**
  - (3) **Employees relative to the person's safety performance.**
- (b) The person must identify the levels of management with the authority to make decisions regarding safety risk acceptance.

## 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]