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Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) and Safety Authority (CTSA)
The UK secretariat to the Channel Tunnel IGC and CTSA is provided by ORR.
Their duties are to provide support to the head and members of the UK delegations. This is mirrored by the Secrétariat Géneral au Tunnel sous la Manche in Paris which supports the French delegations to the two bodies.
The IGC and CTSA are independent bi-national bodies which report through the UK and French Governments.
In this section
For key documents, including annual reports and press releases please see the IGC website.
What are the responsibilities of the IGC and CTSA?
The IGC and CTSA are bi-national bodies comprising UK and French delegations. Each delegation to the IGC is currently made up of seven members, while each delegation to the CTSA is made up of five members.
Both bodies are chaired alternately and for a period of one year by the head of each delegation: neither State holds the chair of both bodies at the same time (i.e. whilst the IGC is chaired by the French, the Safety Authority is chaired by the UK). The Safety Authority has established a number of permanent and specialist working groups which provide detailed technical analysis and advice.
The IGC is established by the Treaty of Canterbury to supervise, in the name of and on behalf of the two Governments, all matters concerning the construction and operation of the channel tunnel. Its duties include:
- monitoring the construction and operation of the channel tunnel;
- preparing, or participating in the preparation of, regulations applicable to the channel tunnel, and monitoring their subsequent implementation;
- making recommendations to the UK and French Governments, and to Eurotunnel; and
- taking decisions in the name of the two Governments for the implementation of the Concession.
The CTSA is a bi-national safety authority established by the Treaty of Canterbury. Its responsibilities include the following:
- advising and assisting the IGC on all matters relating to safety in the construction and operation of the channel tunnel;
- ensuring safety measures and practices applicable to the channel tunnel comply with national or international laws;
- examining reports concerning any incident affecting safety within the channel tunnel;
- making such investigations as are necessary; and
- reporting to the IGC.
Role of the Secretariats
- prepare for and execute the decisions of the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission and Safety Authority;
- provide support to the Head and other Members of the UK Delegations;
- support meetings of the Commission, Safety Authority and its working groups; and
- provide the necessary administrative and technical support to the Commission and Safety Authority, including management of budgets and arranging expert assistance as necessary.