Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have approved an agreement that aims to ensure safe operations of drones flying within the European Union (EU).

Signed between the European Council and Parliament last November, the agreement also intends to help drone operators and manufacturers with the predictability to develop products and services.

It will also create a common regulation for drone operators throughout the EU.

Drone flights are currently regulated by various national rules in the EU, which can impede market development.

Following the implementation of the new rules, manufacturers will be required to design drones that do not risk people’s lives.

“Based on the key principles, the EU Commission is tasked with developing more detailed EU-wide rules.”

Depending on the risk involved, the drone will have to be equipped with additional features such as automated landing if the operator loses contact with the drone or collision avoidance systems.

Drone operators will also be required to know all the rules that apply to them and must be able to conduct safe drone flights without endangering people or other airspace users.

Some drone operators are expected to go through training before operating a drone, once the new rules take off.

The European Parliament said in a statement: “Based on the key principles, the EU Commission is tasked with developing more detailed EU-wide rules, such as maximum altitude and distance limits for drone flight, and which drone operations and drones would need to be certified based on the risk they pose.

“The rules would also determine which operators need additional training and to be registered and which drones would need to have additional safety features.”

The rules are yet to be approved by EU ministers.