EU Agency for Railways becomes cross-border rail authority
The European Union’s desire to create a single European Railway Area moved a step closer on June 16, when the EU Agency for Railways (ERA) assumed responsibility for authorisation, safety certification of train operators, and approval of ERTMS trackside equipment.
According to IRJ, it means that companies operating across EU borders now have access to a single integrated process for vehicle authorisations, single safety certificates or ERTMS approval.
Bulgaria, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovenia have all adopted the new regime, while Switzerland has adopted it on a case-by-case basis since July. Other member states must do so by June 2020.
We've read it in: International Railway Journal, July 2019, p7
