13.10.2012 Official Journal of the European Union L 281/1 (Non-legislative acts) REGULATIONS COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 923/2012 of 26 September 2012 laying down the common rules of the air and operational provisions regarding services and procedures in air navigation and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1035/2011 and Regulations (EC) No 1265/2007, (EC) No 1794/2006, (EC) No 730/2006, (EC) No 1033/2006 and (EU) No 255/2010 (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 551/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2004 on the organi- sation and use of the airspace in the single European sky (1) (the airspace Regulation), and in particular Article 4(a) and (b) thereof, Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 2008 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency (3 (the EASA Basic Regu- lation), and in particular Articles 8 and 8b and Annex Vb thereto, Whereas: (1) Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 551/2004 and Regu- lation (EC) No 216/2008, the Commission is required to adopt implementing rules in order to adopt appro- priate provisions on rules of the air based upon Standards and recommended practices of the Inter- national Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and to harmonise the application of the ICAO airspace classifi- cation, with the aim to ensure the seamless provision of safe and efficient air traffic services within the single European sky. (2)  Eurocontrol has been mandated in accordance with Article 8(1) of Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council of 10 March () O] L 96 31.3.2004, p. 20 0J L 79 19.3.2008, p. 1 2004 laying down the framework for the creation of the single European sky (*) to assist the Commission in the development of implementing rules which lay down appropriate provisions on rules of the air based upon ICAO Standards and recommended practices, and harmonise the application of the ICAO airspace classifi- cation. 3)  In accordance with Articles 1(3) and 13 of Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 and Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008, the single European sky initiative should assist the Member States in fulfilling their obligations under the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation (hereafter the Chicago Convention) by providing for common interpretation and implemen- tation. (4)  The objective of Regulation (EC) No 551/2004 is to support the concept of a more integrated operating airspace within the context of the common transport policy, and to establish common procedures for design, planning and management while ensuring the efficient and safe performance of air traffic management. This objective is particularly relevant for the rapid implemen- tation of functional airspace blocks in the single European sky. (5)  The outcome of the work undertaken by the joint group created by the Commission, Eurocontrol and ICAO, which charted the national differences filed by Member States relating to ICAO Standards dealing with rules of the air and related provisions for air navigation services, supports the need for standardisation of common rules and differences with respect to the single European sky. (6)  In order to ensure safe, efficient and expeditious inter- national air traffic and to support the establishment of functional airspace blocks, all participants in the single ) OJ L 96, 31.3.2004, p. 1.