A production approval holder is an aerospace organization that holds a production approval from an aviation authority and is responsible for producing approved aircraft, engines, propellers, or articles under the applicable production and quality system controls.
The term is commonly used in aerospace manufacturing, supplier oversight, conformity documentation, and airworthiness-related workflows. A PAH may manufacture items directly or use suppliers and sub-tier suppliers, but the PAH remains the organization associated with the production approval and the controls used to ensure the produced article conforms to the approved design and applicable requirements.
A production approval holder should not be confused with a design approval holder. The design approval holder is associated with the approved design data, while the production approval holder is associated with the approved production system. In some cases, the same organization may hold both roles, but the responsibilities are distinct in manufacturing records, supplier control, and traceability contexts.