Certify the interoperability of railway subsystems and demonstrate compliance with the TSIs under European Directive 2016/797
In the European railway system, compliance with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) is a fundamental requirement to ensure the safe and standardised movement of vehicles between Member States. Directive (EU) 2016/797 sets out the criteria for the interoperability of railway subsystems and their related components. EC verification of interoperability is therefore a mandatory step to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and obtain authorisation for placing on the market.
RINA provides EC verification of interoperability services as a Notified Body (NoBo), assessing the conformity of railway subsystems and components against the TSIs required by Directive (EU) 2016/797.
The verification applies to subsystems such as rolling stock, infrastructure, energy, signalling and communication systems (GSM-R/FRMCS), as well as their related interoperability constituents (e.g. pantograph, catenary, rail, braking system, ETCS on-board system).
The process includes independent assessment activities defined according to the selected certification module, including design examination, audits, inspections, test witnessing and test execution.
Assessment plans and technical reports are prepared or updated for each phase. At the end of the process, the NoBo File (verification report) is issued and, in the event of a positive outcome, the EC certificates of interoperability required by placing in service process in the European Union are issued.
RINA is a Notified Body (NoBo) appointed by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport for third-party certification under the Interoperability Directive. We operate as an independent third party and, thanks to our consolidated experience in the railway sector, ensure impartiality, technical competence and a structured approach to the assessment of railway subsystems and components.
EC verification applies to the following subsystems:
The certification process is based on a series of independent assessment activities, carried out in varying levels of detail depending on the certification module selected by the applicant from those permitted by the TSI for the subsystem/component concerned:
For each of the above activities, a plan and one or more technical reports are prepared, including the relevant results.
At the end of the activities, a certification report (NoBo File) is prepared and, if the outcome is positive, the related interoperability certification is issued.
EC verification of interoperability is mandatory for railway subsystems and components intended to be placed on the market or placed in service in the European Union. It is required to demonstrate compliance with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) set out in Directive (EU) 2016/797 and to obtain authorisation from the competent authorities.
