Businesses were on Wednesday invited to consult on new plans to create worldwide standards to professionalise the drone industry, in a move expected to boost demand for flying technology.
The International Standards Organisation, which represents standards bodies worldwide, has proposed a number of measures.
They include that firms creating and selling drones could commit to customer and staff training, promise to respect no-fly zones, and have strict privacy and data rules in place.
Robert Garbett, chairman of the British Standards Institution committee for UK drone standards and founder of consultancy Drone Major Group, said: “These standards will undoubtedly lead to a new confidence in safety, security and compliance within this dynamic industry, resulting in a massive expansion in the availability and use of drone technology in the years to come.”
Companies in the industry also welcomed the plans.
Ed Leon Klinger, the boss of London start-up Flock which specialises in drone insurance, told the Evening Standard: “A safer industry means fewer crashes, and fewer insurance claims. This is great for the public, businesses, and insurers alike."
Duncan Walker, managing director at Skyport which is looking to develop landing pads for goods-carrying drones, said: “These emerging standards are well timed for a market that is gathering momentum.”
He added: “The safe integration of drones is paramount for the sector and these standards provide a benchmark for personal and commercial drone activity.”
As well as firms, academics and the general public are invited to respond to the consultation by January 21 2019.
