EUROPEAN RAILWAY AGENCY (ERA)

The European Railway Agency (ERA) is the agency of the European Union (EU) that sets mandatory requirements for European railways and manufacturers in the form of Technical Specifications for Interoperability, , which apply to the Trans-European Rail system. The ERA publishes a document summarizing the status of the TSIs. The ERA sets common safety targets, common safety methods and common safety indicators, following Directive 2004/49/EC and amendments. The ERA also hosts a number of databases, among which a register of remaining, applicable national rules. TheThe Agency also acts as the system authority for the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) project, which has been set up to create unique signalling standards throughout europe.

The agency has two main sites, both in Nord Department, France. The headquarters with all the agency's offices is located in Valenciennes, while international conferences and meetings take place in Lille. The organisation employs about 150 members of staff. Its mandate is the creation of a competitive European railway area, by increasing cross-border compatibility of national systems, and in parallel ensuring the required level of safety.

Core Activities

The construction of a safe, modern integrated railway and network is one of the EU’s major priorities. Economic integration and rapid growth in trade have transformed the European Union’s transport needs. In order to service the integrated market, railways must become more competitive and offer high-quality, end-to-end services without being restricted by national borders.

• Safety: The Safety unit is working towards the development of a mature and safe European railway which will help to provide an open and competitive market.
• Interoperability: The Mission of the Agency in the field of interop­erability is to support on technical matters the implementation of the European Community legisla­tion on Railways.
• ERTMS: ERTMS is the European Rail Traffic Management System which intends to remove the technical barriers against the interoperability regarding the train control command system.
• Economic Evaluation: Economic evaluation is an essential feature common to all activities of the Agency. Its objectives are: To avoid any decrease of the competitiveness of railway transportation, in line with the ultimate objectives of European legislation; and to provide decision-makers with a fair estimate of the effects of Agency recommendations.

In order to facilitate, improve and develop international rail transport services and the progressive creation of the internal market in equipment and services for the construction, renewal, upgrading and operation of the rail system, the principle of mutual recognition of the national rules, the checks against these rules and the associated authorisations to place into service is supported by the Cross-Acceptance Unit works.

Databases and Registers: The Agency is responsible for developing and maintaining several registers and databases in order to ensure transparency and equall access to documents for all railway market actors.

• European Railway Agency Database of Interoperability and Safety (ERADIS)
• European Railway Accident Information links (ERAIL)
• European Register of Authorised Vehicle Types (ERATV)
• Notification of national railway safety and technical rules (NOTIF-IT)
• Reference Document Database (RDD)
• Vehicle Keeper Marking Registers (VKM Register)
• Registers of Infrastructure (RINF)

Consultation: Consulattion is a tool for the Agency to communicate with the social partners and actors in the industry to exchange information and discuss draft recommendations and proposals before they are submitted to the Commission.

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