General

EuroSpec is not a standardisation body as defined according to the EU regulation 1025/2012), but an organisation that provides common, functional and harmonised specifications for rolling stock system and components from the perspective of European Railway operators in the voluntary domain. In the European (and global) standardisation process the harmonisation from the users’ perspective is important for the success of the final sector standard. Therefore, the role played by EuroSpec is very crucial.

EuroSpec is focusing on the domain of rolling stock for use on the heavy railway network in Europe.

EuroSpec and CEN, CENELEC and ETSI

A EuroSpec-Specification fills a gap in the current standardisation landscape by harmonising the requirements from the train operators’ perspective. This can be seen as an important preparatory step for new standards and/or regulations. Having a EuroSpec specification available can speed up the creation of an international standard or regulation.

EuroSpec does deliver contributions to the European standardisation process by collecting and harmonising the specifications from users’ perspective (from operation and/or maintenance experience). EuroSpec offers the specifications freely available for the market, so that experience can be gained.

EuroSpec will not duplicate work of existing CEN or CENELEC standardisation groups. An EuroSpec-specification can be a starting point of a new or updated EN-standard (or even European regulation, like a TSI).

EuroSpec and the rolling stock builders and suppliers

EuroSpec is open for input from the market. Therefore, we share our workplan and project briefs. Before finalising a new set of specifications we ask for feedback from UNIFE-members and other suppliers in our network.

EuroSpec leaves the technical development of rolling stock and its systems and components fully up to the manufacturers and suppliers, based on our specifications.

EuroSpec and other rolling stock owners, operators and maintenance companies

Railway operators have shown to be able to reduce their own specific requirements by making use of the first Eurospecs;

CER: All EuroSpec member companies are also members of the CER. The persons in EuroSpec (at steering and working group level) have mostly also a role within the CER’s technical activities. The primary focus of the CER is on European policy and legislation. In recent years, CER’s role is also gradually evolving into the areas of research and innovation (system pillar ERJU) and standardisation (e.g. STIP, TWG STA). EuroSpec’s work complements the role of the CER. From an operational railway perspective, EuroSpec contributes to the Single European Railway Area (SERA) by harmonising rolling stock specifications.

EuroSpec and other initiatives

EuroSpec does not duplicate existing UIC leaflets / IRS or any ongoing work. There are alignment meetings with UIC on a yearly basis.

EuroSpec has an exchange with Round Table Rolling Stock (RTR) on regular basis on developments, work plans and deliverables in order to stay aligned. Three members of EuroSpec are participants of RTR as well.