---
title: "ATS.OR.460 Background communication and aural environment recording — SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDERS OF AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES, ATM/ANS · Avioverse"
description: "Unless otherwise prescribed by the competent authority, air traffic services units shall be equipped with devices that record background communication…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atm-ans/part-ats/subpart-a/ats-or-460"
---

# ATS.OR.460 Background communication and aural environment recording

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDERS OF AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES · Regulation (EU) 2017/373 · EAR revision 12 Mar 2025

Official sources: [EASA Easy Access Rules (opens in a new tab)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/easy-access-rules/easy-access-rules-air-traffic-managementair-navigation-services-provision-services) · [EUR-Lex 2017/373 (opens in a new tab)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32017R0373)

IR Implementing rule

## ATS.OR.460 Background communication and aural environment recording

(a) Unless otherwise prescribed by the competent authority, air traffic services units shall be equipped with devices that record background communication and the aural environment at air traffic controller’s, or the flight information service officer’s, or the AFIS officer’s work stations, as applicable, capable of retaining the information recorded during at least the last 24 hours of operation.

(b) Such recordings shall only be used for the investigation of accidents and incidents which are subject to mandatory reporting.

IR · ATS.OR.460 — Regulation (EU) 2017/373 · Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/469 · ATM/ANS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 12 Mar 2025

[All rules in SUBPART A — ADDITIONAL ORGANISATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDERS OF AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES (ATS.OR)](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atm-ans/part-ats/subpart-a)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 12 Mar 2025, extracted 2 Nov 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.