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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.

EC Regulation for a common safety method on risk evaluation and assessment

EC Regulation (EC) No 352/2009 came into force on 19 July 2010. It forms part of a programme of work by the European Railway Agency (ERA) and the EC to support the single market in the rail sector. The regulation aims to harmonise the approach to risk assessment and evaluation of significant changes to railway subsystems. From 1July 2012, the Regulation applies to all significant changes which have safety implications i.e., technical, operational and organisational.

ROGS

The industry must now comply with the requirements of the Railway and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations (ROGS) (PDF 914 Kb).

Also under ROGS:

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).

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 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.

Train driving licences and certificates

On 6 April 2010 the Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 came into force. This brings the requirement to hold a licence and certificate to drive a train into force between now and 2018.

Rail vehicle accessibility

On 6 April 2010 the Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) Regulations 2010 came into force giving ORR new responsibilities for monitoring and enforcing compliance with regulations designed to improve accessibility for rail passengers.

Last updated: December 2012