Which document in EASA regulations describes ways to comply with the requirements but is not mandatory?

The correct answer is that the document describing ways to comply with the requirements but is not mandatory is the Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC). AMCs provide guidance on how to fulfill specific regulatory requirements set forth by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), allowing for different methods of compliance. While organizations can use AMCs to develop their procedures or policies, adherence to AMCs is not obligatory; they provide a level of flexibility for operators and service providers to meet regulations using alternative approaches as long as the overarching safety objectives are achieved.

This flexibility is essential in the aviation industry, where various circumstances and operational factors can influence how compliance with regulations can be achieved effectively. By using AMCs, organizations can adopt innovative practices while still ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

In contrast, Guidance Material, Advisory Circulars, and Implementing Standards serve different purposes within the regulatory framework. Guidance Material often supplements regulation but may focus on explanatory content rather than specific compliance methods. Advisory Circulars provide advice, but their nature and content can vary, and they may also be more informational rather than prescriptive in terms of compliance methods. Implementing Standards, while potentially very detailed and regulatory in nature, typically describe enforceable requirements rather than offering options for compliance.