Dave Higdon/HOUSTON
A pending change in the regulation of fastener standards in the USA has created an unexpected threat to the aerospace industry, which is calling for urgent government action.
According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the US Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), legal implications could halt domestic production and affect imports as early as 26 May, unless Congress issues a waiver.
The problem originates in a law passed in 1990 under the National Quality Standards Act to protect against the failure of "critical fasteners" in structures such as bridges. This was clarified in 1996 to cover more applications.
The aerospace industry did not realise it was implicated until earlier this year when a notice of proposed rulemaking was issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), alerting it to the fact that the Federal Aviation Administration's role in regulating the myriad speciality fasteners used in aviation manufacture and repair could be usurped by other rules.
Ed Bolen, president of GAMA, says that the Act neither acknowledges nor allows for fastener quality and marking standards already enforced by the FAA. "The standards aren't out yet, so we don't know how aviation may be treated, let alone what any standards might be," says Bolen. The NIST has indicated that new tests and marking systems could be required.
GAMA and the AIA are concerned that such requirements could drive some of the specialist fastener manufacturers out of business, while "-larger conglomerates may decide that it is not worth it," says Bolen.
Source: Flight International
