Dear Mr Fitch,

We are glad to share with you the Vision Paper on International Standardisation endorsed by the associations EIM, UNIFE, NB-Rail, UIP and UIRR.

The European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy stresses the role of the rail transport sector as the most sustainable mode of transport in tackling the climate emergency. The Commission in its Industrial Strategy for Europe also recognises the strategic importance of strengthening Europe’s ability to forge global high-quality standards which bear the hallmark of Europe’s values and principles.

During the last few years, we have seen an increasing strategic importance of standardisation activities at the international (ISO/IEC) level, as well as of standardisation activities outside the traditional railway domain, notably in the field of digitalisation. European and international standardisation are clearly of crucial importance to the rail sector and well-functioning standardisation systems are essential for maintaining the EU’s global leadership and competitiveness.

The supporting organisations have therefore reflected on the specific strategic challenges connected to international standardisation in their field and on how to address them.

The result of this exercise is outlined in the attached Vision Paper, which presents the European perspective on international standardisation in the railway field from a sector perspective and expresses several recommendations aiming at, in a nutshell, improving the effectiveness of European Standardisation for a greater impact at the international level.

We trust that this paper could trigger further reflections and we look forward to engaging in a dialogue with the Commission on this important matter. Our associations would be pleased to present this paper to you by organising a dedicated meeting or at the occasion of the next RASCOP plenary meeting.

Yours sincerely,

Philippe Citroën
UNIFE, Director-General
Monika Heimig
EIM, Executive Director
Gilles Peterhans
UIP, Secretary General
Christoph Handel
NB-Rail Association, Chairman
Ralf-Charley Schultze
UIRR, President