European Union : A Milestone in the cooperation between OTIF the EC and ERA

Mattias Ruete (Director-General DG Mobility and Transport), François Davenne (OTIF Secretary General) and Marcel Verslype (Executive Director of the European Railway Agency) signed far reaching Administrative Arrangements in Brussels on October 24.

OTIF, the EC and ERA have been cooperating for many years in several fields, including the regulation related to the Transport of Dangerous Goods and in establishing a compatible legal framework for the approval and international use of Rolling Stock. This cooperation has so far been a success in the consistency of OTIF and EU rules for freight wagons and the CSM on risk assessment. However, ERA had so far no official status in the relationship with OTIF other than to bring support to the EC representative. The new Administrative Arrangements now provide a direct interface between OTIF and ERA for an increased efficiency.

These new arrangements give the three parties an opportunity to identify all possible lines of cooperation in a structured way, thus leading to a better anticipation of stakeholders expectations and a better planning and prioritisation of tasks for a more efficient use of resources. This is a positive step in the implementation of the Quality Management System within the Agency.

For the European Union, the benefits of this harmonised approach of the rail sector will be seen in the creation of a 'community' of railways within the EU and beyond, resulting in seamless transport of goods and in extending market opportunities for established and new companies. A boost of rail transport across the borders of the EU is expected, as similar rules will lead to more efficient rail traffic.

Additionally, the Administrative Arrangements open the door to new synergies e.g. in the use of registers, etc. and the regulatory framework of the EU, based on ERA recommendations, which will raise recognition in the entire railway world.