Regulation and certification

As the health and safety regulator for the rail industry, we deliver advice and enforcement to help ensure the industry is safe for both passengers and workers.

This section describes how the new ROGS legislation is being implemented by the industry ensuring safety is at the heart of its operation.

ROGS

The industry must now comply with the requirements of the Railway and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations (ROGS).

Transition to ROGS

Since the implementation of ROGS in April 2006, there has been a transition period for some operators following the revoking of the previous key pieces of safety legislation.

Safety certificates and authorisation

Detailed safety cases have been replaced with higher-level safety certificates and authorisations for most railways. Tramways and transport systems that do not run at speeds above 40kph do not need certificates.

Safety verification

Operators must show that they have procedures in place to introduce new or altered vehicles or infrastructure safely.

Safety approvals under orders and private acts

Some transport operators may require approval under Transport and Works Act Orders, Light Railway Act Orders and private Acts of Parliament for activities such as a particular maximum speed of operation; approval to a particular maximum axle load; or the use of particular types of rolling stock (including tramcars).

Safety Directive

The aim of the Railway Safety Directive was to create a common European framework for railway safety across Europe.. In Great Britain, the requirements of the Directive are applied by ROGS only to the mainline railway. (Though ROGS does introduce some similar requirements for other railways and transport systems.)

Interoperability

This is a European Commission initiative to promote a single market in the rail sector. The legislation aims to remove technical barriers to the supply of equipment and the running of trains between member states.

Last updated: 15 February 2008