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With the Civil Aviation Act 2023 now in force, aviation operators across New Zealand are beginning the transition to formal Drug & Alcohol Management Plans, a new legal requirement that will form a core part of safety and risk management frameworks across the sector. The first submission deadline is just a month away, September 30, 2025, for Group 1 operators, followed by June 30, 2026 for Group 2.
The Drug Detection Agency is encouraging operators to start planning now, saying that building a fit-for-purpose plan takes time, clarity, and the right expertise. The company offers end-to-end DAMP compliance services including policy review, certified training, random testing and secure reporting as required in the DAMP.
“Developing a compliant and operationally sound DAMP can’t be rushed,” says TDDA CEO Glenn Dobson. “For high-risk sectors like aviation, there are multiple moving parts from policies and testing protocols to staff training and reporting systems. Some operators can underestimate how much is involved.”
Under the Civil Aviation Act 2023, Drug & Alcohol Management Plans are now a legal requirement under Civil Aviation Rule Part 99 and must be approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. These plans apply aviation businesses broadly: commercial airlines and maintenance organisations, adventure operators, agriculture aircraft operations, air traffic services, and more.
Each DAMP must set out how the operator will carry out random drug and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive workers, how non-negative results, refusal to test or unable to provide a sample will be handled, and what ongoing education and training will be provided for staff and supervisors. Plans must also clearly define roles and responsibilities across sites and teams, and include a system for regular reporting to the CAA. Full compliance is required in April 2027.
“We’re seeing a growing number of operators asking: ‘What does good look like?’. That’s the right question. Smart operators know that shortcuts, low-cost testing providers, and DIY kits won’t meet CAA’s expectations, and worse, they compromise safety,” says Glenn.
“In our experience, the operators who act early are the ones whose operations continue smoothly. As the submission deadline approaches, providers get overwhelmed, delays happen, and work stoppages become likely,” says Glenn. “It also allows operators time to find the right fit – a compliance partner who truly understands the aviation sector.”
TDDA is New Zealand’s largest IANZ accredited, workplace drug and alcohol testing provider. It is currently offering free policy reviews to all DAMP- required operators as part of its commitment to industry safety.
TDDA delivers end-to-end support for aviation operators implementing DAMPs, policy design, employee training, compliant testing and CAA-aligned reporting. TDDA’s services meet the requirements of Civil Aviation Rule Part 99, covering random testing, response protocols, secure reporting and supervisor education.
TDDA’s reporting platform, IMPERANS, provides operators with real-time oversight, site-level visibility, and tools to manage DAMP quarterly reporting with ease. Supported by a fleet of mobile clinics that meet businesses where they operate, TDDA services both single-site and multi-site operations, including remote and mobile environments. As a specialist in DAMP compliance, TDDA ensures programs are practical, enforceable, and future-ready through to 2027 and beyond.
