Environmental Condition Compliance (DO-160) Certification

DO-160 (ED-14 in Europe) defines the standard test methods that verify aerospace equipment's resistance to the environmental conditions it will encounter during flight. Where DO-178C and DO-254 are concerned with process assurance, DO-160 is directly a TEST standard: it gives categories and test procedures for temperature, vibration, humidity, lightning, EMC and many other conditions. Which categories the equipment is tested to is determined by the aircraft type and installation location.

• Avionics equipment manufacturers
• Cabin system and in-flight entertainment system manufacturers
• Manufacturers of equipment mounted on the engine and airframe
• Manufacturers of unmanned aircraft components
• Suppliers developing electronic equipment for aerospace

The document is not directly a legal text; it is a test standard accepted by aviation authorities and OEMs. It is practically mandatory for demonstrating the environmental qualification of equipment in type-certification and TSO (Technical Standard Order) processes. The output is a set of section-by-section test reports and the environmental qualification form summarising them.

• Section 4 — Temperature and altitude: operating and storage temperatures, rapid decompression, altitude
• Section 5 — Temperature variation
• Section 6 — Humidity
• Section 7 — Operational shock and crash safety
• Section 8 — Vibration
• Section 9 — Explosive atmosphere
• Section 10 — Waterproofness
• Section 11 — Fluids susceptibility
• Section 12 — Sand and dust
• Section 13 — Fungus resistance
• Section 14 — Salt fog
• Section 15 — Magnetic effect
• Section 16 — Power input
• Section 17 — Voltage spike
• Section 18 — Audio frequency conducted susceptibility
• Section 19 — Induced signal susceptibility
• Section 20 — Radio frequency susceptibility (radiated and conducted)
• Section 21 — Radio frequency energy emission
• Section 22 — Lightning induced transient susceptibility
• Section 23 — Lightning direct effects
• Section 24 — Icing
• Section 25 — Electrostatic discharge
• Section 26 — Flammability

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details
• The equipment description, installation location and aircraft-type information
• The Environmental Qualification Form
• The test plan and the rationale for category selection
• The definition of the equipment's operating mode and performance acceptance criteria
• Section-by-section test reports

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• NADCAPSpecial Process Accreditation
• DO-178CAerospace Software Assurance
• DO-254Aerospace Hardware Assurance
• AS9100Aerospace Quality Management
• AS9110Aerospace Maintenance Quality Management
• AS9120Aerospace Distribution Quality Management
• EN 9100Aerospace Quality Management
• EN 9110Aerospace Maintenance Quality Management