European Union Agency for Railways — ensuring a safe and interoperable railway area

 

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2016/796 on the European Union Agency for Railways

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It establishes the European Union Agency for Railways (the Agency). The Agency aims to:

• contribute to the further development and effective functioning of a single European railway area;
• guarantee a high level of railway safety and interoperability*;
• improve the competitiveness of railways.

The regulation is one of 3 legislative acts covering the technical aspects of the fourth railway package which aims to revitalise the rail sector and deliver a better quality of service and more choice to passengers. The regulation works alongside the regulation on the interoperability of the railway system in the EU and the directive on railway safety.

KEY POINTS

The Agency’s main objectives for the EU rail system are:

• developing a common approach to safety;
• increasing the level of interoperability;
• examining national railway rules in order to support national authorities acting in the fields of railway safety and interoperability; and
• promoting the best procedures.

Railway safety

The Agency has several tasks with regard to rail safety including:

• providing recommendations to the European Commission on common safety indicators, methods and targets; and on the system of certifications of bodies in charge of safety;
• issuing, renewing, suspending and amending single safety certificates and cooperating with national safety authorities in that respect;
• encouraging the exchange of information on safety-related accidents, incidents and near misses.

Interoperability

The Agency has a number of tasks designed to improve interoperability by reducing technical barriers. These include:

• providing recommendations to the Commission to revise the technical specifications on interoperability (TSIs);
• issuing authorisations for the placing on the market of railway vehicles and vehicle types. The Agency also has the power to renew, amend, suspend and revoke these authorisations;
• approving European railway traffic management system (ERTMS) trackside equipment.

National rules

The Agency is tasked with ensuring the conformity of national rules with essential railway safety and interoperability requirements. In particular it must:

• examine both draft and existing national rules to ensure their conformity and that they do not result in any arbitrary discrimination;
• manage a dedicated IT system containing national rules and acceptable national means of compliance.

ERTMS

The Agency acts as the system authority to ensure the coordinated development of the ERTMS within the EU, in accordance with relevant TSIs.

Single European railway area (SERA)

The Agency has a number of tasks related to the monitoring of SERA including:

• performance and decision-making of national safety authorities;
• notified conformity assessment bodies;
• progress on rail safety and interoperability.

FROM WHEN DOES IT APPLY?

It has applied from 15 June 2016 (with a 3-year transitional period for tasks related to authorisation, certification and ERTMS trackside approval).

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

• European Union Agency for Railways;
• ‘Rail Transport: Landmark deal will deliver better rail services to passengers’ (European Commission press release).

* KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) 2016/796 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Railways and repealing Regulation (EC) No 881/2004 (OJ L 138, 26.5.2016, pp. 1-43)

RELATED ACTS

Directive (EU) 2016/797 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union (OJ L 138, 26.5.2016, pp. 44-101)

Directive (EU) 2016/798 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on railway safety (OJ L 138, 26.5.2016, pp. 102-149)

last update 22.11.2016