For operators and service providers, standards for safety management systems (SMS) are set out in the annexes to the Chicago Convention:
A safety management system is an organised approach to managing safety, including the necessary organisational structures, accountabilities, policies and procedures.
The purpose of a safety management system is to make continuous improvement to the overall level of safety.
For the UK Overseas Territories these ICAO standards have been implemented in the Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTARs).
There is an Overseas Territories Aviation Circulars (OTAC) on safety management systems which provides advice and guidance on the meaning of the requirements contained in the OTARs and suggests some steps towards effective implementation.
There is also a safety management system checklist based on the OTAC.