IFATCA Policy is:

For the purpose of guaranteeing safety, controllers shall not be replaced by personnel who do not hold ATC licences in accordance with ICAO Annex 1, with the ratings, recency and competency appropriate to the duties that they are expected to undertake for the position and unit at which those duties are to be performed.

State Regulators shall recognize the advantages of implementing an ATCO licensing system to provide assurance to domestic and international stakeholders.

ANSPs shall recognise the advantages of an ATCO licensing system as an effective tool not only to harmonise ATCO standards, but to give an effective, transparent means of providing assurance that ATCO standards are being met and maintained.

The functions which are contained within ICAO Annex 1, as being ATC functions shall not be added to the work responsibilities for unlicensed personnel.

In the event of an incident, caused totally or in part by the use of unqualified personnel, responsibility shall lie with the person or authority responsible for allocating the unqualified staff to the task undertaken and any other person or authority who has materially supported or assisted to use unqualified personnel.