Single European Rail Area one step closer to completion as new technical provisions enter into force

Single European Rail Area one step closer to completion as new technical provisions enter into force

Today the technical provisions of the Fourth Railway Package are entering into force. These are a series of measures adopted by the European Parliament and the 28 Member States to make European railways more innovative and competitive. They will in particular promote common EU rail standards and approvals, thereby contributing to the competitiveness of the rail sector and to the creation of a deeper internal market .

As from today, the European Railway Agency (ERA) will in particular streamline the large number of national technical rules and develop an improved safety culture in Europe. After a three year transition period, ERA will be empowered to issue single EU-wide certificates for rolling stock and railway undertakings. This will significantly cut red-tape and administrative costs for companies, as they previously had to get authorisations in each Member State of operation.

More information on the benefits of the Fourth Railway Package for passengers and rail companies is available here and in a video .