ISO 21384-3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Certification

ISO 21384-3 certification validates that an organization’s unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations adhere to international best practices, safety standards, and regulatory requirements, providing a verified framework for safe and efficient drone operations. This certification focuses on operational procedures, including safety, data protection, maintenance, and operator competence, and is a global standard for various industries using commercial drone technology.

CIB MARS carries out ISO 21384-3 certification audits for organisations in Dubai and across the UAE from its office at City Bay Business Center, Dubai; clients in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are served from its Riyadh and Islamabad offices.

See all ISO certifications in the UAE or verify a CIB MARS certificate.

What is ISO 21384-3?

International Standard:
ISO 21384-3 is an international standard for operational procedures for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones.
Focus on Operations:
The standard provides a framework for developing and assessing the operational procedures of drone organizations.
Safety and Risk Management:
It incorporates requirements for safety policy, risk management, assurance, and promotion, along with data protection and airworthiness.
Comprehensive Requirements:
The standard covers various aspects, including documentation, facilities, equipment, flight planning, maintenance, and operator fitness.

What Does Certification Mean?

Validation of Best Practices:
Certification verifies that a drone operator follows established best practices for safe and efficient drone operations.
Adherence to Regulations:
It confirms compliance with both local and international regulations, ensuring operations meet all safety requirements.
Global Consistency:
The certification process offers a consistent way to audit operations against local regulations in different countries.
Risk Mitigation:
Certification helps mitigate risks associated with advanced drone applications, such as operations over critical infrastructure or beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

Who is it For?

Commercial Drone Operators: It is designed for organizations with commercial drone programs.
Various Industries: The standard is relevant for sectors that have adopted drone technology, including R&D, academia, and enterprise-level services.
Manufacturers: Drone manufacturers also engage with the standard to ensure their customers have effective drone programs in place.
Benefits of Certification
Enhanced Safety: It establishes a robust safety and quality system for drone operations.
Increased Trust: Certification provides a verifiable way for stakeholders, including clients and regulatory bodies, to trust in an organization’s drone operations.
Alignment with Global Standards: It helps align drone operations with established standards in other industrial sectors

ISO 21384-3:2023 is part of the ISO 21384 series (Unmanned aircraft systems — Operational procedures)

It provides requirements and guidance for the safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones).
This standard is not industry-specific — instead, it applies to any industry or sector where drones are used.

Typical industries where ISO 21384-3 is applicable include:

Aviation & Aerospace – safe drone operations, airspace integration.

Construction & Infrastructure – site surveys, monitoring, inspections.

Oil, Gas & Energy – pipeline inspection, powerline monitoring, offshore surveys.

Agriculture & Forestry – crop monitoring, spraying, land mapping.

Mining & Quarrying – volumetric analysis, safety inspections.

Telecommunications – tower inspections.

Logistics & Transport – drone deliveries, warehouse operations.

Emergency Services & Security – search and rescue, firefighting support, disaster response.

Environmental Monitoring – wildlife surveys, pollution checks.

Media & Entertainment – aerial photography, film production.

👉 In short: ISO 21384-3 applies to all industries using drones/UAS, providing a common framework for safe and standardized operations.

How ISO 21384-3 certification works

Application and quote – you share your scope, sites and number of employees, and we confirm the audit duration and quotation.
Stage 1 audit – a review of your documented management system and your readiness for certification.
Stage 2 audit – an on-site assessment of how the system works in practice. Any nonconformities must be corrected before certification.
Certification – once the audit is closed, a certificate valid for three years is issued. It can be checked on our certificate verification page.
Surveillance audits – carried out at least once a year in the first and second years.
Recertification – a full audit before the certificate expires at the end of year three.

Related standards: ISO 9001 and ISO 45001.