Technical Interoperability
The APTU UR are the Uniform Rules concerning the Validation of Technical Standards and the Adoption of Uniform Technical Prescriptions (UTPs) applicable to Railway Material intended to be used in International Traffic. They primarily govern the development, content and adoption UTPs and the treatment of national technical requirements applicable to railway material used in international traffic, particularly vehicles.
The ATMF UR are the Uniform Rules concerning the Technical Admission of Railway Material used in International Traffic. They lay down rules according to which vehicles and infrastructure can be approved for use in international traffic. The implementation of the ATMF UR by Contracting States involves the creation and notification of a number of entities with their distinct responsibilities. The organisational and institutional changes that this may require will lead to advantages in terms of mutual recognition between Contracting States of vehicle admissions and assessment results. In addition to facilitating international traffic by rail, this also provides the potential to achieve significant savings for the railway sector, by avoiding duplication of procedures and documentation.
Prescriptions and Other Rules
Based on APTU UR:
UTP GEN-A: General Provisions Essential Requirements
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP GEN-A 2017 |
Adopted by CTE 10 |
Entry into force |
|
|
|
UTP GEN-A 2015 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 7 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
UTP GEN-A 2011 |
Adopted by CTE 4 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
(APTU Annex 1-A 2009) (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 3 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
UTP GEN-B: Subsystem
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP GEN-B 2017 |
Modification to UTP GEN-B 2017 |
Entry into force |
|
|
|
UTP GEN-B 2017 |
Adopted by CTE 10 |
Entry into force |
|
|
|
UTP GEN-B 2012 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 4 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
APTU Annex 1-B 2009 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 3 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
UTP GEN-C: Technical file
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP GEN-C 2017 |
Adopted by CTE 10 |
Entry into force |
|
|
|
UTP GEN-C 2015 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 7 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
UTP GEN-C 2011 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 4 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
APTU Annex 1-C 2009 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 3 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
UTP GEN-D: Assessment procedures (Modules)
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP GEN-D 2012 |
EN version adopted |
Entry into force |
UTP GEN-E: Assessing entity - qualifications and independence
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP GEN-E 2024 |
Entry into force |
|
||
|
UTP GEN-E 2011 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 4 |
Entry into force Repealed on |
(repealed) |
|
|
APTU Annex 1-E 2009 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 3 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
UTP GEN-G: Common safety method (CSM) on risk evaluation and assessment (RA)
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP GEN-G 2024 |
Entry into force |
|
|||
|
UTP GEN-G 2014 (repealed) |
Modification to UTP GEN-G 2014 |
Entry into force |
|
||
|
UTP GEN-G 2014 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 6 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
|
UTP GEN-G 2012 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 4 |
|
(repealed) |
|
UTP WAG: Freight wagons
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP WAG 2025 |
Entry into force |
- |
||
|
UTP WAG 2022 |
|
Guide to UTP WAG 2022 |
||
|
UTP WAG 2021 (repealed) |
Entry into force Repealed on |
(repealed) |
|
|
|
UTP WAG 2015 as modified on 01.12.2016
(repealed) |
Modification to UTP WAG 2015 |
Entry into force Repealed on |
|
|
|
UTP WAG 2015 as modified on 01.12.2015
(repealed) |
Modification to UTP WAG 2015 |
Entry into force |
|
|
|
UTP WAG 2015 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 7 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
UTP WAG 2014 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 6 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
UTP WAG 2012 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 4 (14-15.09.2011), and CTE 5 (23-24.05.2012) Annexes to UTP: Annexes A – G (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) Annexes I – O (I, J, K, L, M, N, O) Annexes P – Z (P, Q, R, S, Y, Z) Annexes BB – FF (BB, CC, EE, FF) Annexes II – LL (II, JJ, LL) Annexes VV – ZZ (VV, XX, YY, ZZ) |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
UTP NOI: Rolling Stock - Noise
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP NOI 2025
|
Entry into force |
- |
||
|
UTP NOI 2021
|
Entry into force |
Guide to UTP NOI 2021 |
||
|
UTP NOI 2015
(repealed)
|
Adopted by CTE 8 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
UTP NOI 2012
(repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 5 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
UTP LOC&PAS:Locomotives and Passenger rolling stock
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP LOC&PAS 2022
|
Entry into force |
|||
|
UTP LOC&PAS 2015
(repealed)
|
Adopted by CTE 7 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
Guide to UTP LOC&PAS 2015 |
UTP MARKING: Vehicle marking
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP Marking 2021
|
Entry into force |
|
||
|
UTP Marking 2015
(repealed)
|
Adopted by CTE 7 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
UTP PRM: For Person with disablities and person with reduced mobility
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP PRM 2022
|
Entry into force |
|
||
|
UTP PRM 2015
(repealed)
|
Adopted by CTE 7 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
Guide to UTP PRM 2015 |
UTP TAF: Telematics applications for freight services
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP TAF 2023 as modified on 01.01.2025 |
Entry into force |
- |
||
|
UTP TAF 2023 as modified on 01.01.2024
|
Entry into force |
|
||
|
UTP TAF 2023
|
|
|
||
|
UTP TAF 2017 as modified on 01.04.2022
(repealed)
|
Entry into force |
Content |
||
|
UTP TAF 2017 as modified on 01.06.2020
(repealed)
|
Entry into force |
Content |
||
|
UTP TAF 2017 as modified on 01.06.2019
(repealed)
|
Modification to UTP TAF 2017 |
Entry into force |
|
|
|
UTP TAF 2017
(repealed) |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
UTP INF: Infrastructure
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP INF 2022
|
Entry into force |
|
UTP TCRC: Train Composition and Route compatiblity checks
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UTP TCRC 2025
|
Entry into force |
- |
||
|
UTP TCRC 2022
|
Entry into force |
Explanatory Document |
Based on ATMF UR:
Annex A, ATMF : Certification and Auditing of Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECM)
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ECM regulation 2021 |
Entry into force |
|
||
|
ATMF-Annex A 2015 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 8 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
ATMF-Annex A 2012
(repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 4 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
Uniform format of certificates: Design Type Certificate & Certificate of operation
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Uniform format of certificates 2012 |
Adopted by CTE 5 |
Entry into force |
|
Annex B, ATMF: Requirements and procedure for derogations from application of UTP(s) related to a structural or functional subsystem
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ATMF Annex B 2023 |
Entry into force |
|
||
|
ATMF-Annex B 2014 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 6 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
Specifications for vehicle registers
| References | Notification of decision and adopted texts | Status | Requirements | Guidance and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vehicle Registers 2021 |
Entry into force |
|
||
|
NVR 2020 (repealed) |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
|
NVR 2015 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 7 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
NVR 2012 (repealed) |
Adopted by CTE 5 |
Entry into force |
(repealed) |
|
|
NVR 2009 |
Adopted by CTE 3 |
Entry into force |
NVR 2009 |
|
Competent Authorities and Assessing entities of the Member States
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Competent authority and assessing entity:
Railway Regulatory Board http://www.rozbih.org
North Macedonia
Competent authority:
Directorate for safety of the Railway System http://www.mtc.gov.mk
Norway
Information on competent authorities and assessing entities in Norway is available from the same sources as provided for the European Union and its Member States.
Serbia
Competent authority:
Directorate for Railways http://www.raildir.gov.rs
Assessing entity acording to UTP GEN-G:
TOK-KONTROL https://tok-kontrol.rs/en
Switzerland
Competent authority:
Federal Office of Transport (FOT) https://www.bav.admin.ch
Accreditation Body according to UTP GEN-G:
Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) https://www.sas.admin.ch
Türkiye
Competent authority and assessing entity:
Directorate General for Regulation of Transport Services https://uhdgm.uab.gov.tr/
Recognition Body according to UTP GEN-G:
Directorate General for Regulation of Transport Services https://uhdgm.uab.gov.tr/
Accreditation Body according to UTP GEN-G:
Turkish Accreditation Agency (TÜRKAK) https://www.turkak.org.tr/en/
Assessing entities according to ATMF:
Turkish Standards Institution (TSE) https://en.tse.org.tr/
Certifer Türkiye https://www.certifer.fr
Türk Loydu Conformity Assessment Services Corporation https://www.turkloydu.org
DeTIM (UTP WAG, UTP NOISE, UTP LOC&PAS, EN 15746, EN 14033) https://detim.com.tr/
United Kingdom
Competent authorities:
For Great Britain: Office for Rail and Road https://www.orr.gov.uk/
For Northern Ireland: Department for Infrastructure https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/
Accreditation body:
United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) https://www.ukas.com/
Assessing entities according to ATMF:
Capgemini Certifications UK Ltd https://www.capgemini.com/
Capgemini Certifications UK Ltd https://www.capgemini.com/
TUV Rheinland UK Ltd https://www.tuv.com/united-kingdom/en/
Ricardo Certification https://ricardo.com/
SGS United Kingdom Ltd https://www.sgs.com/
MMRA Ltd https://www.mottmac.com/
AEGIS Certification Services Ltd https://aegisengineering.co.uk/
Network Certification Body Ltd https://www.networkrail.co.uk/
SCONRAIL AG https://www.sconrail.ch/home/
Railway Approvals Ltd https://www.railwayapprovals.com/rag#
European Union
Competent authorities in the European Union:
The European Union Agency for Railways is the competent authority for the Contracting States which are also Member States of the European Union https://www.era.europa.eu/
The responsibility for designating notifying authorities and accrediting or recognising Notified Bodies, Entities in Charge of Maintenance or Assessment Bodies is in the competence of each Contracting State which are also Member States of the European Union. These authorities are listed in the European Railway Agency Database of Interoperability and Safety on https://eradis.era.europa.eu/public/organisations.aspx.
Assessing entities according to ATMF:
The Notified Bodies in the European Union are listed in the Nando Information System on https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/nando/.
National Technical Requirements
The table below provides links to the National Technical Requirements (NTR) which have been notified to the Secretary General with reference to Article 12 APTU. The Secretariat has not analysed the NTR in terms of their validity in the scope of COTIF, as this is the responsibility of the Member State that applies them. The NTR are only available in the language(s) published by the respective State or Organisation.
| State or Regional Organisation | Link | Notification Instrument |
|---|---|---|
|
Switzerland |
Letter from BAV to the Secretary General of OTIF, reference |
|
|
EU |
Letter from the European Commission to the Secretary General of OTIF, reference MOVE.DDG2.C.4/AP |
|
|
Türkiye |
Letter of 13 July 2023 from the Directorate General for Regulation of Transport Services, reference E-64166713-320.99-1263921. |
|
|
United Kingdom |
For Northern Ireland:
Letter of 18 December 2023 from the Department for Infrastructure, reference IN1/23/921701 |
Registers
Vehicle Keeper Marking (VKM) Register
The joint OTIF/ERA register of unique vehicle keeper marking codes is hosted on the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) website. Since January 2010, updates have been made on the first Wednesday of every month. The joint OTIF/ERA VKM register is published in four languages (English, French, German, Russian). Further details are set out in the application guide.
Link to Register: VKM Registeron the ERA Website
Link to the list of competent national authorities
Certification of Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECM)
ECM certificates and ECM certification bodies are registered in the joint OTIF/ European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) register hosted on the ERA website. The ECM registers contain all entries from EU Member States and from non-EU OTIF Member States.
Link to register: ECM Register
Specifications for vehicle registers
Link to the OTIF Specifications for vehicle registers of 01.04.2021
Link to the list of Registration Entities
The link to the Virtual Vehicle Register (VVR) login web page is available on the ERA website: http://www.era.europa.eu/Core-Activities/Interoperability/Pages/ECVVR.aspx
Register of Assessing Entities for the Common Safety Method (CSM)
In order to apply the UTP GEN-G, CSM Assessing Entities recognised and accredited on the basis of harmonised criteria are required.
Recognised and accredited CSM Assessing Entities are registered in the joint register administered by OTIF and the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) on ERA’s website.
Having a single, joint CSM register makes it easier to access information.
Link to the register: ERADIS-Register
Link to the risk assessment requirements according to the UTP GEN-G, the explanatory document and ERA’s guidance (English only).
Link to the circular to the Contracting States of OTIF which are not a member of the European Union on establishing a joint OTIF/ERA register on CSM Assessment Bodies
Link to the Notification template
