Umeå, 25/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has requested Estonia, Greece and Hungary to bring their national rules in line with Directive 2004/49/EC on railway safety. These countries have not fully transposed the directive on this subject.
The question of the independence and status of the investigating body is causing a problem in Greece and Estonia. The latter is not compliant with regard to certification and accident-incident reports. Hungary is also affected by the same shortcomings and must make progress on the Commission's request which in particular concerns the independence of the national safety authority, the right of the national safety authority to request the technical assistance of infrastructure managers and railway undertakings or other qualified bodies, and the obligation of the national safety authority to report accidents and incidents to the investigating body. The three countries have two months to reply to the Commission. If they fail to react satisfactorily, the Commission may refer the matter to the EU Court of Justice
The Netherlands has also been singled out by the European Commission in the area of railway transport and the lack of network interoperability. The country has two months to respond to a reasoned opinion from the European Commission regarding the incomplete transposition of Directive 2008/57/EC, particularly with regard to authorisation for vehicles. (MD)