Official Documents
This is the official homepage of NB-Rail Association, which supports the NB-Rail Coordination by publishing the following information and documents.
Recommendation For Use (RFU)
In accordance with the principles of (EU) 2016/797 Art 44, (EC) No 765/2008 Art R30 & R17(11) and the Blue Guide 2016 (5.2.2&5.2.4) NB-Rail Coordination Group prepares recommendations for use in conjunction with the provisions of the TSIs and (EU) 2016/797 (so called RFUs).
The text of an RFU must undergo a three-level screening process where the proposed text is drafted, reviewed and improved between technical expert level, process expert level and endorsement by all notified bodies present at the NB-Rail Coordination Group plenary meeting. As a fundamental principle, an RFU shall ensure a uniform application of the current technical provisions of the applicable legislation as established by the European Commissions by clarification, but it cannot alter any mandatory content of this applicable legislation.
Although RFU's do not require formal approval from external bodies, at all 3 levels ERA representatives are informed and their feedback is welcomed and also the regulatory committee known as the "Railway Interoperability and Safety Committee (RISC)" can comment on RFUs in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 51 of the Directive (EU) 2016/797.
RFUs are published as primary source as defined by the Blue Guide 2016 (5.2.4) on the European Community webpage https://circabc.europa.eu. RFUs are “administrative decisions” as defined by Directive (EU) 2016/797 Art 30.6 and therefore shall be applied by all notified bodies.
As this resource is by many considered as difficult to navigate, NB-Rail Association supports the NB-Rail Coordination Group to present the same RFUs also on this web page here below.
RFUs for previous versions of TSIs
These RFUs may be still applicable for ongoing projects that apply previous versions of a TSI
RFU/QC-TSI Matrix
This matrix is provided for information purpose and does not relax any party to apply the provisions/requirements as defined by the legislator:
NANDO-TSIs relationship (Parent- & Child-TSIs)
This table provides information on which amendment (child TSI) is related to which (parent) TSI. The list is coordinated with DG-MOVE and made available for information purposes:
RFU Change Log after last Plenary Meeting
The following RFUs have been changed or newly published:
- RFU-STR-060 - Validity of certificates - Issue 17: Clarifications related to surveillance audits and to the validity of CLDs covering product QMS (including the start date of the certificate validity period) have been reduced in this RFU and are addressed in RFU-STR-065. In addition, a new note referring to ISO/IEC 17065, section 7.7.1 b), has been introduced. The principles defined in section 4 for the management of modifications to interoperability constituents (ICs) shall apply mutatis mutandis to certified subsystems or parts of a subsystem that have been modified, taking into account the applicable conformity assessment modules and certification level documents (CLDs). Update of RFU-STR-060 with a reference to the CCS TSI which requires a certificate validity limitation similar to notes 1 and 2 in the table for RST LOC&PAS and WAG.
- RFU-RST-305 - Assessment of axle box housing - Issue 03: Legal reference updates and TSI WAG & TSI LOCPAS provisions removed
- RFU-RST-308 - Structural strength of running gear - Issue 03: Updating of "Subject related to" section
- RFU-RST-311 - Wheelset electrical resistance - Issue 03: New formulation
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Adopted Recommendation For Use
All subsystems
- RFU-STR-001 Content of EC Certificates.pdf
- RFU-STR-011 Content of NoBo file.pdf
- RFU-STR-022 Testing (TSI Conformity Assessment).pdf
- RFU-STR-043 Tolerances.pdf
- RFU-STR-059 Application of H modules for design examination.pdf
- RFU-STR-060 - Validity of certificates.pdf
- RFU-STR-065 Auditing of QMS by the NoBo.pdf
- RFU-STR-086 Certification outside TEN.pdf
- RFU-STR-092 Use of modules.pdf
- RFU-STR-095 Translation discrepancies in TSIs.pdf
- RFU-STR-700 Modules CB-SB and CD-SD by different applicants.pdf
- RFU-STR-702 Application of RFUs, QCs, TOs and TAs.pdf
- RFU-STR-711 NoBo scope definition.pdf
Subsystems trackside and on-board CCS
- RFU-CCS-040 Issue 04 - IC RBC certification.pdf
- RFU-CCS-067 Subset-076 test sequences and results.pdf
- RFU-CCS-077 Conditions and limits of use of ICs and subsystems.pdf
- RFU-CCS-503 Assessment of IC data configuration.pdf
- RFU-CCS-504 Generating information orders.pdf
- RFU-CCS-505 CCT orders lowest ETCS system version.pdf
Subsystem energy
Subsystem infrastructure
Subsystem rolling stock
- RFU-PRM-076 Interpretation of clearway requirements in the PRM TSI.pdf
- RFU-RST-026 FREE SPACES AT END OF WAGON.pdf
- RFU-RST-090 Audible information in cab.pdf
- RFU-RST-300 Compatibility with train detection systems.pdf
- RFU-RST-301 EMS assessment.pdf
- RFU-RST-302 Degraded modes and conditions.pdf
- RFU-RST-305 Assessment of axle box housing.pdf
- RFU-RST-307 Safety assessment of wheel slide protection.pdf
- RFU-RST-308 Structural strength of running gear.pdf
- RFU-RST-309 Carry on-board rescue coupler.pdf
- RFU-RST-311 Wheelset electrical resistance.pdf
- RFU-RST-312 Electrical hazards.pdf
- RFU-RST-313 Use of EN 45545-2 para.4.7 for products that do not require to be compliant.pdf
- RFU-RST-315 Handling of ICs contained in ICs.pdf
- RFU-RST-319 - Load cases for tank wagons.pdf
- RFU-RST-322 Evidences for EN-UIC brake system.pdf
Subsystems infrastructure and rolling stock
Additional information
Questions & Clarification
Questions & Clarification (Q&C) to the European Commission
Frequently Asked Questions
NB-Rail publishes frequently asked questions (FAQ) and related answers to give all stakeholders guidance at the application of TSIs and Directive (EU) 2016/797. FAQs are published as primary source as defined by the Blue Guide 2016 (5.2.4) on the European Community web page circabc.europa.eu. FAQ sequence numbers FAQ-XX not appearing have been withdrawn / superseded in the meantime.
As this resource is by many considered as difficult to navigate, a number of notified bodies are co-operating to present the same FAQs also here:
03 Interoperability Directives
04 Aims of the Interoperability Directives
05 Technical Harmonisation through Regulations
06 Different validity periods for TSI implementation on the same subsystem
07 EC-Certificate without a valid TSI
08 One RST subsystem certificate for TSIs NOI, SRT and PRM
09 Difference of SF module and SD module certification
10 Validity of certificates issued under repealed directive 2008/57/EC
12 Childcare facilities without toilet according to TSI PRM
14 IC certificate for composite brake blocks
16 Cast iron brake blocks on freight wagons
17 EC certificate for a subsystem for a single TSI
19 Mandatory application of omnibus TSI amendments for ongoing projects
20 Use of CA1, CA2, CH for ICs according TSI WAG
21 Validity of IC certificates at subsystem EC Verification
22 Application of TSI LP TSI for infrastructure inspection vehicles
23 Voluntary use of newer standard vs. referenced old standard
24 Consistency of subsystem verification based on several ISVs using different modules
25 Delivery of full set of IC CLDs for subsystem EC verification NoBo
26 Transition tables for Subsystem RST TSI after 09/2003
Documents at other sources
The official documents are also on CIRCABC and can be accessed following this procedure:
- Goto homepage of circa
https://circabc.europa.eu/faces/jsp/extension/wai/navigation/container.jsp - Click: "Browse categories" on the left side
- Click: "NB-Net - Notified Bodies Network" from the list (Interinstitutional projects)
- Click: "NB-Rail"
- Click: "Library" on the left side
- Click: "Public Documents"
The Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) can be found on the official webpage of ERA
https://www.era.europa.eu/activities/technical-specifications-interoperability_en
Old versions of RFUs and QCs can be found in the archive section on CIRCABC. Otherwise, they can be requested to the Technical Secretary technical-secretary@nb-rail.eu