Standards & Training for Aviation Responsibility and Sustainability

S.T.A.R.S. is an initiative developed by professionals in the Business aviation sector to establish industry-wide sustainability standards. It focuses on promoting social and environmentally sustainable practices across all aspects of aviation operations.

S.T.A.R.S. is led and supported by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), along with passionate professionals from various organisations across Europe.

The S.T.A.R.S. label indicates that an organisation has implemented the sustainability standards set forth by the programme. It demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and operational excellence within the Business aviation industry.

Yes, participation is limited to EBAA member organisations. If you are interested in EBAA membership, please click here.

Participating in S.T.A.R.S. offers numerous benefits, including increased operational efficiency, industry recognition, and alignment with global sustainability goals.

S.T.A.R.S. aligns with both the Business Aviation Commitment on Climate Change and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that participating organisations contribute to global sustainability efforts.

The S.T.A.R.S. programme primarily aims at businesses and organisations – small and large – within the Business aviation sector, including operators, Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), handlers, and other industry service providers.

The S.T.A.R.S. label is renewable every two years, ensuring that participating organisations maintain their commitment to sustainability and continue to meet evolving industry standards.

Yes. There are three Tiers of S.T.A.R.S. accreditation, and there is a special launch fee of EUR 485 (excluding VAT) to participate in and be accredited for each Tier.

To get involved in the S.T.A.R.S. programme, organisations can register on this website here and follow the outlined steps for participation. Additionally, organisations can reach out to the programme manager for further guidance and assistance.

For additional resources and information about the S.T.A.R.S. programme, organisations can reach out to the S.T.A.R.S. programme manager for further guidance and assistance.

The S.T.A.R.S. programme comprises three tiers of standards designed to help organisations within the Business aviation value chain – large or small – implement and comply with even the most basic level of environmental and social practices. Tier 1: Set a Foundation helps ensure that your organisation has designated a Sustainability Officer responsible for overseeing sustainability initiatives, a Sustainability Policy and an Sustainability Assessment. Tier 2: Walk the Talk ensures your organisation has a documented Sustainability Strategy  and has a Sustainability and Awareness Training Programme. Tier 3: Super S.T.A.R.S helps ensure your organisation demonstrate continuous improvement in both environmental and social sustainability and implements Sustainability Procurement Programmes.

Upon registering for the S.T.A.R.S. programme and paying the registration fee, your organisation will be able to connect to the S.T.A.R.S. resource center, where you will gain access to all of the standards, implementation guidelines, checklists and templates for the relevant Tier. Upon completing the standards, you can schedule a virtual audit review meeting with the S.T.A.R.S. Programme Manager, who will examine all required documents as evidence of successfully complying with each standard. Successful compliance enables your organisation to receive S.T.A.R.S. accreditation and a label, which can be shared on your website and in all of your communications.

• Self-auditing is a vital process for organisations participating in the S.T.A.R.S. programme, led by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA).
  FOR S.T.A.R.S. programme participants
  • 1. Conducting the Self-Audit:
    • 1.1 Checklists and Procedures:
      • Participants use the checklists and procedures provided by the S.T.A.R.S. programme to guide their self-audit activities.
    • 1.2 Evidence Collection:
      • Participants  collect relevant evidence to support each “For assessment as a minimum” section of the checklist for the relevant tier, and are prepared to present this evidence to the EBAA Audit Review Team.
  • 2. EBAA Audit Review and Corrective Action:
    • 2.1 Audit Review
      • Once participants have successfully conducted an in-house Self Audit , they schedule a follow-up audit review with the EBAA Audit Review Team, who will, during a virtual meeting, verify the accuracy of the Evidence Collection to assess the fulfilment of the S.T.A.R.S. sustainability standards for the Tier in which they’ve applied, or to recommend corrective actions before accreditation can be achieved.