EASA is an Agency of the European Union. As an EU Agency, EASA is a body governed by European public law; it is distinct from the Community Institutions (Council, Parliament, Commission, etc.) and has its own legal personality.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is a decentralized agency of the European Union and is primarily regulated by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Its legal foundation is based on the "Basic Regulation" (specifically Regulation (EU) 2018/1139), which establishes common rules for civil aviation across member states. While EASA itself is the chief technical authority—issuing airworthiness certificates and safety standards—it works in close coordination with the European Commission, which has the power to adopt the implementing rules prepared by EASA into European law. Furthermore, EASA's activities are overseen by a Management Board composed of representatives from each member state and the European Commission. On a global level, EASA’s standards are designed to be compatible with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. Essentially, the EU provides the legislative framework, while EASA provides the technical expertise and enforcement to ensure a uniform level of aviation safety across Europe.