Our team is extremely happy to announce that we have managed to obtain one of the most important documentations that ensures rail operation security: the Single Safety Certificate, issued by the European Rail Agency. The application procedure has been quite challenging, but we are very proud of acquiring such an important authorization, that ensures smooth rail freight transport processes in two different European countries. Read on to find out more about why the Safety Certificate is such a huge deal:

The Assessment Process

Applying for the Single Safety Certificate requires a significant number of documents which attest to the fact that the rail operator complies with the conditions set out by the European Rail Agency (ERA). Once all the necessary papers are presented and the application is made, the certification process is followed by a completeness check made by the officials working at the ERA, that make sure that everything is in accordance with the requirements. Afterwards, a decision to approve or reject the application is made in four months’ time, and once approved, the certificate comes with a detailed co-operation agreement that needs to be respected throughout the transportation processes ensured by the rail operator.

SMS – The Safety Management System

The Safety Management System is basically a set of guidelines that helps rail operators ensure a high level of railway safety. SMS makes sure that an organization achieves its specific business goals in a safe and efficient manner, by offering safety regulations operators needs to follow. Once the European Rail Agency has granted a Safety Certificate to a company, from then on the rail operator is the one bearing full responsibility for the proper functioning and the safety of the system.

Technical Specifications for Interoperability

The TSI defines the precise operational standards which rail operators need to take into account in order to function in conformity with the Safety Certificate. The TSI has exact requirements for the fixed installations that are needed to supply traction energy to a locomotive. The guideline has a separate clause for rail infrastructure and its maintenance, which refers to external elements like track parameters, crossings, platforms and elements relevant to the proper workings of a train, such as water restocking, fueling, and other factors. Self-propelling thermal or electric trains, thermal or electric traction units, passenger carriages, freight wagons and mobile railway construction and maintenance equipment have their own set of rigorous regulations they need to comply to.

Noise level is another specification that is particularized in the TSI, which aims to limit noise emissions within the European Union. Baselines for control command and signalling are also present in the documentation, along with particularities that are relevant to the accessibility of persons with disabilities and those with reduced mobility. Lastly, the information systems contributing to real-time monitoring of freight trains and other digitalized services has a separate set of guidelines that needs to be respected by rail freight operators.

Plan Do Check Act Cycle

The PDCA cycle is a framework that can help rail companies identify any risks or hazards associated with their activity, with the goal of keeping accidents from happening. This method doesn’t overlook the shared responsibility rail operators have with other key players that contribute to a successful transportation process and includes the obligations of infrastructure managers and other members of the railway system that play an important role in their safety.

The cycle is based on three basic factors, which play equal parts in the transportation process. The technical factor takes stock of the workings of various tools and equipment. The human component ensures that the people taking part in operations have the necessary training and skills at hand. The third element is organizational and refers to the inner procedures and methods that contribute to a safe transportation journey.

MMV Rail Romania obtains certification for operations in two countries

We are pleased to announce that MMV Rail Romania has received its Safety Certificate in both Hungary and Romania! We have applied for both authorizations separately, taking into account the rules and regulations for each country, and have been granted certificates for freight transport and rail transport that includes the shipping of hazardous goods as well. We are entitled to use the entire railway of both countries and have been granted approval for 5 years of rail operations, until the year 2026!

We are very proud of this achievement, as it enables us to offer our clients security measures that are always up-do-date in the ever-changing and complex railway environment. Get in touch with the MMV Rail Romania team and see how we turn your rail freight aspirations into reality!