Richtlijn 2016/797 - Interoperabiliteit van het spoorwegsysteem in de EU (herschikking)

An interoperable EU rail system

SUMMARY OF:

Directive (EU) 2016/797 on the interoperability of the EU’s rail system

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

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  It sets out the conditions to be met to achieve interoperability* within the European Union (EU) rail system.
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  It aims to facilitate, improve and develop rail transport services within the EU and with non-EU countries, thereby contributing to the completion of the single European railway area and to the shift to more efficient types of transport.
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  The directive is one of three 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. It works alongside the Regulation (EU) 2016/796 on the European Agency for Railways (see summary) and Directive (EU) 2016/798 on railway safety (see summary).
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  Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the directive was amended by Directive (EU) 2020/700 to extend the deadline for incorporating the content of the directive into EU countries’ national law.

KEY POINTS

Scope

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  The directive applies to the rail system in EU countries, including:

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    vehicles and infrastructure;
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    energy;
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    signalling systems and telematics* applications (e.g. ticketing systems) for freight and passengers;
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    accessibility for persons with reduced mobility;
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    noise issues.

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  It does not apply to:

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    metros;
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    trams and light rail vehicles and infrastructure used exclusively by those vehicles;
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    networks that are not part of the EU rail systems and that are intended to operate only local, urban or suburban passenger services, along with companies that operate solely on these networks.

Harmonised requirements

The directive sets out conditions related to:

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  the design, construction, placing in service, upgrading, renewal, operation and maintenance of the parts of the system; as well as
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  the professional qualifications and health and safety conditions of the staff who contribute to its operation and maintenance.

These conditions take the form of harmonised requirements covering:

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  essential requirements with regard to

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    safety (e.g. components such as brakes)
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    reliability (e.g. monitoring and maintaining essential components)
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    human health and environmental protection
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    technical compatibility and operation of the system;

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  technical specifications for interoperability (TSIs) for each subsystem or part of a subsystem;
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  related European standards and other documents allowing the bodies involved to prove their compliance with the essential requirements and TSIs.

Conformity

The directive sets out the procedures related to interoperable components and systems covering:

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  conditions for being placed on the market;
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  conformity or suitability for use;
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  procedures in cases of non-compliance with essential requirements.

COVID-19 outbreak — Directive (EU) 2020/700

Directive (EU) 2016/797 was due to have taken effect from 16 June 2020. However, to provide the railway sector with greater legal certainty and flexibility to deal with the exceptional circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, Directive (EU) 2020/700 was adopted to extend transposition and repeal periods of Directive (EU) 2016/797 (originally set at 16 June 2020 to 31 October 2020).

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

It has applies from 15 June 2016 and it had to become law in the EU countries by 16 June 2019.

EU countries could apply one year extension (see Article 57(2) until 16 June 2020. This latter date has been further extended by Directive (EU) 2020/700 until 31 October 2020.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

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  Rail Transport: Landmark deal will deliver better rail services to passengers — press release (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Interoperability: the ability of a rail system to allow the safe and uninterrupted movement of trains which accomplish the required level of performance.

Telematics: the integrated use of telecommunications with information and communications technology.

MAIN DOCUMENT

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 (recast) (OJ L 138, 26.5.2016, pp. 44-101)

Successive amendments to Directive (EU) 2016/797 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

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)

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)

See consolidated version.

last update 08.07.2020

Deze samenvatting is overgenomen van EUR-Lex.