A safe mode of transport
Europe’s railways are among the safest in the world. The EU is looking to maintain high standards and to harmonise safety requirements EU-wide.
As well as ensuring optimal safety, harmonisation in this area helps improve the compatibility – the interoperability – of national rail systems. Different national safety rules are a major hindrance for new railway companies looking to establish themselves on the market or indeed for any company wanting to use rail infrastructure in different countries.
EU legislation sets the framework for a harmonised approach to rail safety in the EU. It lays down the conditions for granting the safety certification that every railway company must obtain before it can run trains on the European network. Furthermore, it obliges EU Member States to set up national railway safety authorities and independent accident investigation bodies.
Role of the European Railway Agency
The Agency develops common approaches to safety, working closely with stakeholders from the rail sector as well as with national authorities, the EU institutions and other interested parties. Featuring a dedicated Safety Unit, ERA also monitors and reports on rail safety in the EU.
For more information : https://www.era.europa.eu/
Related documents
Progress Report
Progress report on the implementation of the Railway Safety Directive (SWD(2014)355)
Legislation
MoU establishing the common principles of a certification system of the Entities in Charge of Maintenance of Freight Wagons
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the common principles of a certification system of the Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECM) of Freight Wagons has been signed on May 14th 2009 in the premises of B-Holding, between 10 EU Members States.
This MoU follows on the work carried out between the European Railway Agency and the railway sector associations (CER, ERFA, UIC, UIP), in the perspective of the implementation of Directive 2008/110/EC amending Directive 2004/49/EC on Railway Safety. The MoU will allow the rapid deployment, on a voluntary base, between the signing Members States, of the principles that were defined for the certification of the ECMs, in anticipation of the full transposition of the Directive that establishes the mandatory character of the certification.
- MoU on ECM of Freight Wagons + Annexes A, B, C1, C2, D, E1, E2 & F
- Photos of the signature :
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