Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the 17th meeting of the Committee of Technical Experts of the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) with regard to the revision of Uniform Technical Prescriptions applicable to the subsystem “rolling stock – locomotives and passenger rolling stock” (UTP LOC&PAS), to the accessibility of the rail system for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility (UTP PRM), to vehicle marking (UTP Marking), to the subsystem “infrastructure” (UTP INF), to the subsystem Telematics applications for freight services (UTP TAF), and to the update of the Handbook for the implementation and application of the APTU and ATMF Uniform Rules
Date: 2025-06-04
Institutions: Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission
Subjects: carriage of goods, disabled person, international convention, international organisation, international transport, systems interconnection, technical rule, technical specification, telematics, vehicle on rails

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 4.6.2025  COM(2025) 305 final 2025/0160 (NLE)  Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the 17th meeting of the Committee of Technical Experts of the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) with regard to the revision of Uniform Technical Prescriptions applicable to the subsystem “rolling stock – locomotives and passenger rolling stock” (UTP LOC&PAS), to the accessibility of the rail system for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility (UTP PRM), to vehicle marking (UTP Marking), to the subsystem “infrastructure” (UTP INF), to the subsystem Telematics applications for freight services (UTP TAF), and to the update of the Handbook for the implementation and application of the APTU and ATMF Uniform Rules  
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE PROPOSAL 

1. 
The  17th  session  of  the  Committee  of  Technical  Experts  (CTE)  of  the  Intergovernmental 
Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) will take place in Bern on 17 and 18 
June 2025. The agenda of the meeting includes the following proposals for adoption: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Revision of the Uniform Technical Prescription applicable to the subsystem “rolling 
stock – locomotives and passenger rolling stock” (UTP LOC&PAS);  

Revision of the Uniform Technical Prescription applicable to the accessibility of the 
rail  system  for  persons  with  disabilities  and  persons  with  reduced  mobility  (UTP 
PRM);  

Revision of the Uniform Technical Prescription applicable to vehicle marking (UTP 
Marking); 

Revision  of  the  Uniform  Technical  Prescription  applicable  to  the  subsystem 
“infrastructure” (UTP INF);  

Modification of Appendix  I (references to the technical documents)  to the Uniform 
Technical  Prescription  applicable  to  the  subsystem  Telematics  applications  for 
freight services (UTP TAF); 

Update  of  the  Handbook  for  the  implementation  and  application  of  the  APTU  and 
ATMF Uniform Rules. 

The agenda of the meeting and documents related to the proposals for adoption are available 
on the OTIF website https://otif.org/en/?page_id=1025. 

OTIF develops  uniform  legal  regimes for international  rail transport in  three major areas of 
activity: technical interoperability, dangerous goods and railway contract law.  

2. 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

2.1. 

The Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) 

The Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail of 9 May 1980, as amended by the 
Vilnius  Protocol  of  3  June  1999  (‘COTIF’),  is  an  international  agreement  where  both  the 
Union and 25 Member States1 are Contracting Parties.  

On 16 June 2011, the Council adopted a Council Decision 2013/103/EU on the signing and 
conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the OTIF on the Accession of 
the European Union to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) of 
9  May  1980,  as  amended  by  the  Vilnius  Protocol  of  3  June  1999  (“EU-COTIF  Accession 
Agreement”)2. 

The Agreement entered into force on 1 July 2011. 

1  Only Cyprus and Malta are not Contracting Parties. 
2  Council Decision 2013/103/EU of 16 June 2011 on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement between the 
European Union and the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail on the Accession 
of the European Union to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) of 9 May 1980, 
(OJ  L  51,  23.2.2013,  p.  1,  ELI: 
as  amended  by 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2013/103(1)/oj). 

the  Vilnius  Protocol  of  3  June  1999 

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According to Article 2(1) of the COTIF, OTIF aims at promoting, improving and facilitating, 
in  all  respects,  international  traffic  by  rail,  in  particular  by  establishing  systems  of  uniform 
law in various fields of law relating to international traffic by rail. The COTIF also governs 
the  running  of  the  Organisation,  its  objectives,  attributions,  relations  with  the  Contracting 
States and its activities in general.  

COTIF therefore deals  with  rail legislation on a number of different  legal  and technical  rail 
matters that are divided  into two parts:  the Convention itself, which governs the running of 
OTIF, and the eight Appendices that establish uniform railway law: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Appendix A – Contract of International Carriage of Passengers by Rail (CIV) 

Appendix B – Contract of International Carriage of Goods by Rail (CIM) 

Appendix C – International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) 

Appendix D – Contract of use of vehicles in international rail traffic (CUV) 

Appendix E – Contract of use of infrastructure in international rail traffic (CUI) 

Appendix F – Uniform Rules concerning the Validation of Technical Standards and 
the  Adoption  of  Uniform  Technical  Prescriptions  applicable  to  Railway  Material 
intended to be used in International Traffic (APTU UR) 

Appendix  G  –  Uniform  Rules  concerning  the  Technical  Admission  of  Railway 
Material used in International Traffic (ATMF UR) 

Appendix H – Uniform Rules concerning the safe operation of trains in international 
traffic (EST UR) 

Based on Appendix F and G to COTIF, there are 18 Uniform Technical Prescriptions (UTPs) 
for technical interoperability. The UTPs in the framework of COTIF have the same purpose as 
the  EU  technical  specifications  for  interoperability  (TSIs)  for  admission  to  international 
traffic, as defined in Chapter II of Directive (EU) 2016/7973. 

43 out of the 50 States that are Party to the COTIF, including the already mentioned 25 EU 
Member States, apply Appendix F and G. 

Based  on  Appendix  H  to  COTIF,  there  are  4  Annexes  for  common  safety  methods.  The 
Annexes to EST UR in the framework of COTIF have the same purpose as the EU common 
safety  methods  (CSMs)  for  admission  to  international  traffic,  as  defined  in  Chapter  II  of 
Directive (EU) 2016/7984. 

Entry into force of the Appendix H is still pending approval by two-thirds of the states that are 
party to OTIF. 

2.2. 

The OTIF Committee of Technical Experts (CTE) 

The CTE is set up by Article 13(1)(f) of the COTIF. It is made up of the OTIF Member States 
that apply Appendices F and G (APTU, ATMF) to COTIF.  

3  Directive  (EU)  2016/797  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  11  May  2016  on  the 
interoperability  of  the  rail  system  within  the  European  Union  (recast)  (OJ  L  138,  26.5.2016,  p.  44,  ELI: 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/797/oj) 

4  Directive (EU) 2016/798 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on railway safety 

(recast) (OJ L 138, 26.5.2016, p. 102, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/798/oj) 

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The  CTE  has  competence  in  matters  of  interoperability  and  technical  harmonisation  in  the 
railway  field  and  technical  approval  procedures.  It  develops  the  APTU  and  ATMF 
Appendices  and  its  Uniform  Rules,  which  apply  to  railway  material  intended  for  use  in 
international traffic, which concern in particular: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

the  adoption  of  technical  prescriptions  for  vehicles  and  infrastructure  and  the 
validation of standards; 

procedures concerning the assessment of conformity of vehicles; 

provisions concerning the maintenance of vehicles; 

responsibilities for train composition and the safe use of vehicles; 

provisions concerning risk evaluation and assessment; 

specifications for registers. 

The  CTE  currently  has  a  standing  working  group  (WG  TECH)  which  is  responsible  for 
preparing the former’s decisions. 

Pursuant to Article 20(1)(b) of the COTIF, and in accordance with Article 6 of Appendix F 
(APTU), the CTE is competent to adopt or to amend the UTPs. 

In  accordance  with  Article  21(4)  of  Appendix  G  (ATMF),  the  CTE  is  competent  to 
recommend methods and practices relating to the technical admission of railway material used 
in international traffic. 

2.3. 

The adoption of acts by the CTE 

According to Article 6 of APTU, the CTE shall decide whether to adopt a UTP or a provision 
amending it in accordance with the procedure laid down in Articles 16, 20 and 33 § 6 of the 
COTIF.  These  decisions  enter  into  force  in  accordance  with  Article  35  §§  3  and  4  of  the 
Convention. 

2.4. 

The envisaged acts  to be adopted  by the  CTE  during the session on  17  and 18 
June 2025 

2.4.1.  Revision of the Uniform Technical Prescription applicable to the subsystem “rolling 

stock – locomotives and passenger rolling stock” (UTP LOC&PAS) 

UTP LOC&PAS lays down functional and technical requirements for admitting locomotives 
and  passenger  rolling  stock  to  international  traffic  within  the  territories  of  all  COTIF 
Contracting  States,  in  line  with  the  ATMF  UR.  It  covers  technical  design  and  production 
requirements and verification procedures. 

The  aim  of  this  proposal  to  revise  the  UTP  LOC&PAS  is  to  keep  it  aligned  with  legal 
developments  in  the  European  Union  and  to  update  specific  cases  and  particular 
implementing rules. Furthermore, the proposal clarifies the scope of the UTP LOC&PAS and 
its application to vehicles suitable for free circulation and to interchangeable vehicles. 

The proposed modifications include: 

– 

– 

Clarifications concerning the scope and application of the UTP; 

An update of the references to EU legislation and to standards; 

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– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

New provisions concerning the interfaces within a vehicle between the rolling stock 
subsystem and on-board part of the control, command and signaling subsystem; 

Modified  provisions  concerning  water  released  by  or  through  on-board  sanitary 
facilities; 

Modified  provisions  concerning  the  maximum  current  through  each  pantograph  at 
standstill; 

New provisions relating to derailment detection and prevention functions; 

Modified provisions concerning the train recording device; 

Additional  requirements  concerning  the  documentation  that  must  be  provided  with 
the rolling stock; 

Additional  provisions relating  to  the admission to  a wide  area of use, applicable to 
particular types of passenger coaches, i.e. interchangeable vehicles; 

Update  of  the  implementation  rules,  in  particular  by  removing  validity  deadlines 
(phases  A  and  B)  for  vehicles  and  types  of  vehicles  that  comply  with  previous 
versions of the UTP; 

Update of specific cases and particular implementing rules for non-EU  Contracting 
States; 

Editorial modifications to align the UTP with the latest practice. 

2.4.2.  Revision of the Uniform Technical Prescription applicable to the accessibility of the 
rail  system  for  persons  with  disabilities  and  persons  with  reduced  mobility  (UTP 
PRM) 

UTP  PRM  lays  down  harmonised  accessibility  requirements  for  passenger  vehicles  used  in 
international traffic in the scope of the ATMF UR.   

The aim of this proposal to revise the UTP PRM is to keep it aligned with legal developments 
in the European Union. Furthermore, the proposal clarifies the scope of the UTP PRM with 
regard  to  vehicles  and  with  regard  to  other  subsystems.  In  particular,  the  application  of  the 
UTP  PRM  is  generally  mandatory  for  new  passenger  rolling  stock  that  is  admitted  to 
international traffic in accordance with the ATMF UR. The UTP PRM also describes optional 
parameters for the infrastructure, operational and telematics subsystems. 

The proposed modifications include: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Clarifications concerning the scope and application of the UTP; 

An update of the references to EU legislation and to standards; 

Modified  provisions  concerning  audible  signals  related  to  passenger  door  opening 
and closing; 

Modified and additional provisions concerning dynamic route information in and on 
trains; 

Update of the implementation rules, in accordance with the implementation rules of 
the UTP LOC&PAS; 

Editorial modifications to align the UTP with the latest practice. 

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2.4.3.  Revision of the Uniform Technical Prescription applicable to vehicle marking (UTP 

Marking) 

UTP Marking lays down the requirements applicable to vehicles used in COTIF Contracting 
States  in  relation  to  their  vehicle  numbers  and  associated  alphabetical  markings  on  their 
bodyframes. 

The  aim  of  this  proposal  to  revise  the  UTP  Marking  is  to  update  the  references  to  the  EU 
provisions. Furthermore, to facilitate understanding of the rules, information should be added 
to clarify the meaning of the European Vehicle Number (EVN) for freight wagons. Language 
corrections and editorial changes are also included. 

2.4.4.  Revision  of  the  Uniform  Technical  Prescription  applicable  to  the  subsystem 

“infrastructure” (UTP INF) 

UTP  INF  sets  out  the  railway  infrastructure  parameters  that  are  relevant  in  terms  of 
compatibility  with  vehicles  used  in  international  traffic  in  the  scope  of  the  ATMF  UR  and 
specific methods to check these parameters.   

The aim of this proposal to revise the UTP INF is to keep it aligned with legal developments 
in the European Union and to update specific cases and particular implementing rules. 

The proposed modifications include: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Clarifications concerning the scope and the optional application of the UTP; 

An update of the references to EU legislation and to standards; 

New provisions related to combined transport; 

Updated provisions concerning the categories of lines;  

New provisions concerning maximum pressure variations in tunnels with operational 
speeds of 200 km/h or above; 

Modified  provisions  concerning  the  voluntary  application  of  the  UTP  to  existing 
infrastructure;  

Update of specific cases and particular implementing rules for non-EU  Contracting 
States;  

Editorial modifications to align the UTP with the latest practice. 

2.4.5.  Modification of the UTP Telematics applications for freight services (UTP TAF) 

UTP  TAF  lays  down  requirements  about  the  communication  process  between  railway 
undertakings  and  infrastructure  managers,  databases  intended  to  be  used  to  track  trains  and 
wagon movements and information to be delivered to freight customers. 

The aim of this proposal is to align the references to the ERA’s Technical Documents of TAF 
TSI listed in Appendix I of UTP TAF. 

Modifications  to  the  technical  documents  referred  to  in  Appendix  I  of  the  UTP  TAF  are 
necessary  in  order  to  correct  errors,  take  feedback  into  account,  keep  up  with  technical 
progress  and  maintain  equivalence  with  the  specifications  defined  in  the  ERA’s  technical 
document ERA-TD-105: TAF TSI — Annex D.2: Appendix F — TAF TSI Data and Message 
Model.  

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2.4.6.  Update  of  the  Handbook  for  the  implementation  and  application  of  the  APTU  and 

ATMF Uniform Rules 

The  handbook  outlines  the  requirements  for  implementing  and  applying  Appendix  F  to 
COTIF  (the  APTU  UR)  and  Appendix  G  to  COTIF  (the  ATMF  UR)  for  international 
transport  by  rail,  and  describes  the  various  roles  and  responsibilities  in  connection  with 
implementation  and  application.  It  is  intended  to  serve  as  a  practical  reference  for  OTIF 
members and states interested in acceding to COTIF, particularly for the authorities, entities 
and actors in their respective railway sectors. 

The Handbook is non-legally binding under COTIF but nevertheless is capable of producing 
legal effects. It is adopted by OTIF CTE established by the COTIF, which has the power to 
adopt the Handbook and their modifications, i.e. recommendations in accordance with Article 
21(4) of the ATMF UR. The  Handbook (and thus  the envisaged amendment  thereto) would 
inform the way the EU must implement its obligations under COTIF. 

The update of the handbook for the implementation and application of the APTU and ATMF 
Uniform  Rules  is  necessary  in  order  to  take  into  account  return  from  experience  of  COTIF 
Contracting States.  

3.1. 

Union competence and voting rights  

to  Article  6  of 

Pursuant 
the 
Intergovernmental  Organisation  for  International  Carriage  by  Rail  on  the  Accession  of  the 
European Union to the COTIF approved by Council Decision of 16 June 2011: 

the  European  Union  and 

the  Agreement  between 

"1.  For  decisions  in  matters  where  the  Union  has  exclusive  competence,  the  Union  shall 
exercise the voting rights of its Member States under the Convention.  

2. For decisions in matters where the Union shares competence with its Member States, either 
the Union or its Member States shall vote.  

3. Subject  to  Article 26, paragraph  7, of  the Convention, the Union shall  have a number of 
votes  equal  to  that  of  its  Member  States  who  are  also  Parties  to  the  Convention.  When  the 
Union votes, its Member States shall not vote." 

Pursuant  to  Article  3(2)  TFEU,  the  Union  has  exclusive  competence  in  relation  to 
international  commitments  to  be  undertaken  in  the  context  of    COTIF,  including    legal 
instruments  adopted  pursuant  to  it,  when  such  commitments  risk    affecting  existing  Union 
rules or altering their scope.  

The objective of the proposed decisions is to: 

– 

– 

align  the  UTP  LOC&PAS,  UTP  PRM,  UTP  INF,  and  UTP  Marking  with 
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/16945 (the ‘2023 TSI Package’), 

align  the  references  to  the  ERA’s  Technical  Documents  of  TAF  TSI  listed  in 
Appendix I of UTP TAF. 

These decisions fall in the area of rail transport services. The area of rail transport services is 
largely covered by Union rules which therefore risk to be affected or altered by the adoption 

5  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1694 of 10 August 2023 amending Regulations (EU) No 
321/2013,  (EU)  No  1299/2014,  (EU)  No  1300/2014,  (EU)  No  1301/2014,  (EU)  No  1302/2014,  (EU)  No 
(OJ  L  222,  8.9.2023,  p.  88,  ELI: 
1304/2014  and 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/1694/oj). 

Implementing  Regulation  (EU)  2019/777 

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of  these  decisions.  The  Union,  represented  by  the  Commission,  shall  therefore  exercise  the 
voting rights with respect to the adoption of these decisions.  

3.2. 

Proposed conclusions 

For all the reasons detailed in paragraphs 2.4.1 to 2.4.6 respectively, the Union should vote as 
proposed below in paragraphs 3.2.1 to 3.2.6 respectively. 

3.2.1.  Revision of the Uniform Technical Prescription applicable to the subsystem “rolling 

stock – locomotives and passenger rolling stock” (UTP LOC&PAS) 

The European Union should vote in favour of the revision of UTP LOC&PAS TECH-25003, 
subject  to  the  amendments  listed  below.  In  case  these  amendments  are  not  introduced,  the 
European Union should vote against the proposed revision of UTP LOC&PAS. 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

in  section  1  (Introduction)  of  the  Annex,  second  subparagraph,  the  word 
“infrastructure”  should  be  replaced  by  “network(s)”  to  reflect  that  technical 
compatibility is not limited to the infrastructure but also covers energy and track side 
signaling aspects; 

in  point  2.1  (The  rolling  stock  subsystem  as  part  of  the  rail  system)  of  the  Annex, 
fourth subparagraph, “, UTP WAG” should be deleted as this UTP refers only to the 
subsystem  “locomotives  and  passenger  rolling  stock”  that  is  not  covered  by  UTP 
WAG; 

in point 2.2.1 (Train formation), paragraph (1), the term “OTIF technical admission” 
should be replaced by “UTP verification procedure” for consistency with point 0.1, 
paragraph (4); 

points  3.2.1  (General  requirements,  requirements  related  to  maintenance  and 
operation) and 3.2.2 (Requirements specific to other subsystem) should be deleted to 
align with the 2023 TSI Package. 

in point 4.2.3.4.2 (Running dynamic behaviour), the title of paragraph (d) should be 
replaced  by  “Additional  requirements  regarding  interface  with  on-board  part  of  the 
control-command  and  signaling  subsystem”  to  fully  align  with  the  2023  TSI 
Package; 

in  paragraph (8) of point 4.2.3.4.2 (Running dynamic behaviour), in  paragraphs (3) 
and (4) of point 4.2.4.3 (Type of brake system),  in  paragraph  (3) of point  4.2.4.4.1 
(Emergency braking command), in paragraph (5) of point 4.2.4.4.2 (Service braking 
command),  in  paragraph  (4)  of  point  4.2.4.4.4  (Dynamic  braking  command),  in 
paragraph  (6)  of  point  4.2.4.8.2  (Magnetic  track  brake),  in  paragraph  (9)  of  point 
4.2.4.8.3  (Eddy  current  track  brake),  in  paragraph  (2)  of  point  4.2.5.5.6  (Door 
opening),  in  paragraph  (8)  of  point  4.2.8.1.2  (Requirements  on  performance),  in 
paragraph  (4)  of  point  4.2.8.2.4  (Maximum  power  and  current  from  the  overhead 
contact  line),  in  paragraph  (5),  second  subparagraph,  of  point  4.2.8.2.9.8  (Running 
through phase or system separation sections 

(g) 

(RST level)), in paragraphs (5) and (6) of point 4.2.9.1.6 (Driver’s desk ergonomics), 
in  paragraph  (4)  of  point  4.2.9.3.6  (Radio  Remote  control  function  by  staff  for 
shunting  operation),  in  points  4.2.9.3.8.1  (Sleeping  mode),  4.2.9.3.8.2  (Passive 
shunting), 4.2.9.3.8.3 (Non leading), 4.2.9.3.9 (Traction status), in  paragraph (5) of 

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point  4.2.10.4.2  (Smoke  Control),  in  point  4.2.13  (Interface  requirements  with 
Automated Train Operation on-board): 

– 

– 

“signalling  system”  should  be  replaced  by  “control-command  and 
signalling subsystem”; 

“See  point  4.3.4”  should  be  deleted,  considering  that  such  reference  is 
not related to the content of the point 4.2.3.4.2; 

in point 4.2.4.6.1 (Limit of wheel rail adhesion profile), the wording “Note to points 
(1) – (4)” should be deleted as the corresponding text is a requirement, not a note; 

in  point  4.2.4.7  (Dynamic  brake  –  Braking  system  linked  to  traction  system),  the 
third  paragraph  should  be  replaced  by  “For  electric  units,  in  case  the  presence  on-
board the unit of the voltage delivered by the external power supply is a condition for 
the  dynamic  brake  application,  the  safety  analysis  shall  cover  failures  leading  to 
absence on-board the unit of that voltage.” to fully align with the 2023 TSI Package; 

in point 4.2.7.1.4 (Lamp controls), paragraph (3), “a flashing/blinking mode” should 
be replaced by “an automatic flashing/blinking mode” to align with the meaning of 
the 2023 TSI Package; 

in paragraph (1) of point 4.2.9.6 (Recording device), the fourth subparagraph should 
be  replaced  by  “Additional  data  pertaining  to  the  on-board  control-command  and 
signalling subsystem may be required to be recorded” to  align with the meaning of 
the 2023 TSI Package; 

(h) 

(i) 

(j) 

(k) 

(l) 

in point 4.2.12.2 (General documentation), paragraph (24): 

– 

– 

first  tiret,  “signalling  equipment”  should  be  replaced  by  “control-
command and signalling subsystem”; 

the second tiret should be replaced by “conditions for the installation of 
on-board  part  of  the  control-command  and  signalling  subsystem  (e.g. 
mechanical, electrical, etc.).”; 

(m) 

(n) 

in  point  6.2.6  (Assessment  of  documentation  requested  for  operation  and 
maintenance), paragraph (1), “and assessing  entity”  should  be deleted to  align with 
the meaning of the 2023 TSI Package; 

in  point  7.3.2,  all  specific  cases  for  the  United  Kingdom  in  respect  of  Northern 
Ireland should be deleted, as they are defined in the TSI LOC&PAS. 

3.2.2.  Revision of the Uniform Technical Prescription applicable to the accessibility of the 
rail  system  for  persons  with  disabilities  and  persons  with  reduced  mobility  (UTP 
PRM) 

The European Union should vote in favour of the revision of UTP PRM as proposed by OTIF 
in the CTE Working Document TECH-25004. 

3.2.3.  Revision of the Uniform Technical Prescription applicable to vehicle marking (UTP 

Marking) 

The European Union should  vote in  favour of the revision of UTP Marking as proposed by 
OTIF in the CTE Working Document TECH-25005. 

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3.2.4.  Revision  of  the  Uniform  Technical  Prescription  applicable  to  the  subsystem 

“infrastructure” (UTP INF) 

The European Union should vote in favour of the revision of UTP INF as proposed by OTIF 
in the CTE Working Document TECH-25006. 

3.2.5.  Modification of the UTP Telematics applications for freight services (UTP TAF) 

The European Union should vote in favour of the modifications of the UTP TAF as proposed 
by  OTIF  in  the  CTE  Working  Document  TECH-25007,  subject  to  the  amendment  listed 
below. In case this amendment is not introduced, the European Union should vote against the 
proposed revision of UTP TAF. 

– 

in the table in Appendix I, the line number 6 should be replaced as follows to 
refer  instead  to  the  up-to-date  version  of  TAF  TSI  technical  documents 
published by the Agency6: 

6 

ERA-TD-105  TAF  TSI  -  Annex  D.2: 
Appendix  F  -  TAF  TSI 
Data 
and  Message 
Model 

3.5.1 

15.12.2024 

3.2.6.  Update  of  the  Handbook  for  the  implementation  and  application  of  the  APTU  and 

ATMF Uniform Rules 

The European Union should vote in favour of the modifications of the Handbook as proposed 
by  OTIF  in  the  CTE  Working  Document  TECH-25011,  subject  to  the  amendments  listed 
below. In case these amendments are not introduced, the European Union should vote against 
the proposed update of the Handbook. 

Point 5.3.3 – specific cases 

– 

– 

– 

A specific case should be used to specify a deviation from a requirement in the UTP 
due to technical constraints affecting compatibility with the existing system. 

A national technical requirement should be used to define a requirement other than 
those laid down in the UTPs. 

In  case  the  method  of  assessing  a  specific  case  is  complex  and  too  long  to  be 
described  in  the  UTP,  the  specific  case  in  the  UTP  may  refer  instead  to  a  specific 
national technical requirement defining the corresponding assessment method. 

Point 5.4 – national technical requirements 

– 

In  case  a  national  technical  requirement  falls,  in  full  or  in  part,  in  the  scope  of  a 
requirement laid down in the UTP, it should be transferred into the UTP in the form 
of a specific case. 

Point 10.3 – Correlation with EU Law 

– 

Even though the requirements that entities in charge of maintenance (‘ECMs’) must 
meet  in  order to be certified and the qualifications of ECM  certification  bodies are 

6  Available at TSI_TAF/Technical documents at master · EU-Agency-for-Railways/TSI_TAF · GitHub.  

EN 

9 

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both harmonised between the EU and OTIF, the scope of non-EU ECM certification 
bodies is limited to carrying out ECM certification only outside the EU, irrespective 
of whether ECM requirements are equivalent in EU law and COTIF and irrespective 
of  the  fact  that  the  EU  accepts  UTP  compliant  vehicles  in  international  traffic  into 
the EU on the basis of  COTIF.  Non-EU  ECM  certification bodies should therefore 
not certify ECMs in the EU, unless a specific agreement with the EU permits this. 

– 

Considering  ATMF  UR  does  not  include  market  access  conditions  for  service 
provisions,  foreign  ECMs  and  ECM  certification  bodies  cannot  assert  rights  to 
provide  their  services  in  another  state  on  the  basis  of  COTIF  but  unilateral  or 
multilateral  decisions  between  those  states  may  authorise  the  provision  of  these 
services on the territory of one or more of those states.  

4. 

LEGAL BASIS 

4.1. 

Procedural legal basis 

4.1.1.  Principles 

Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides for 
decisions establishing ‘the positions to be adopted on the Union’s behalf in a body set up by 
an  agreement,  when  that  body  is  called  upon  to  adopt  acts  having  legal  effects,  with  the 
exception of acts supplementing or amending the institutional framework of the agreement.’ 

Article 218(9) TFEU applies regardless of  whether the Union is a member of the body or a 
party to the agreement7. 

The concept of ‘acts having legal effects’ includes acts that have legal effects by virtue of the 
rules of international law governing the body in question. It also includes instruments that do 
not  have  a  binding  effect  under  international  law,  but  that  are  ‘capable  of  decisively 
influencing the content of the legislation adopted by the EU legislature’8. 

4.1.2.  Application to the present case 

The CTE is a body set up by an agreement, namely the COTIF, in particular under its Article 
13(1)(f).  
The acts listed above which the CTE is called upon to adopt during its 17th session constitute 
acts having legal effects.  

The envisaged acts modify the OTIF legal framework. As the Union is a full contracting party 
to  COTIF9,  the  envisaged  acts  will  be  binding  upon  the  Union  under  international  law  in 
accordance with Article 6(1) APTU and Article 35  §§ 3 and 4 COTIF.  

Therefore, the procedural legal basis for the proposed decision is Article 218(9) TFEU. 

7 

8 

Judgment of the Court of Justice of 7 October 2014, Germany v Council, C-399/12, ECLI:EU:C:2014:2258, 
paragraph 64 
Judgment of the Court of Justice of 7 October 2014, Germany v Council, C-399/12, ECLI:EU:C:2014:2258, 
paragraphs 61 to 64 

9  Council Decision 103/2013 on on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union 
and the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail on the Accession of the European 
Union to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) of 9 May 1980 , as amended by 
ELI: 
Protocol 
the  Vilnius 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2013/103(1)/oj). 

23.2.2013, 

1999 

June 

(OJ 

51, 

of 

1, 

p. 

L 

3 

EN 

10 

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4.2. 

Substantive legal basis 

4.2.1.  Principles 

The  substantive  legal  basis  for  a  decision  under  Article  218(9)  TFEU  depends  primarily  on 
the  objective  and  content  of  the  envisaged  act  in  respect  of  which  a  position  is  adopted  on 
behalf of the Union. 

4.2.2.  Application to the present case 

The main objective and content of the envisaged act relate to international rail transport. 

The substantive legal basis of the proposed decision, therefore, is Article 91 TFEU. 

4.3. 

Conclusion 

The  legal  basis  of  the  proposed  decision  should  be  Article  91  TFEU,  in  conjunction  with 
Article 218(9) TFEU. 

EN 

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2025/0160 (NLE) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the 17th meeting of the 
Committee of Technical Experts of the Intergovernmental Organisation for 
International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) with regard to the revision of Uniform Technical 
Prescriptions applicable to the subsystem “rolling stock – locomotives and passenger 
rolling stock” (UTP LOC&PAS), to the accessibility of the rail system for persons with 
disabilities and persons with reduced mobility (UTP PRM), to vehicle marking (UTP 
Marking), to the subsystem “infrastructure” (UTP INF), to the subsystem Telematics 
applications for freight services (UTP TAF), and to the update of the Handbook for the 
implementation and application of the APTU and ATMF Uniform Rules 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Article 91 TFEU, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

The  Union  acceded  to  the  Convention  concerning  International  Carriage  by  Rail  of 
9 May  1980,  as  amended  by  the  Vilnius  Protocol  of  3  June  1999  (the  ‘COTIF'),  in 
accordance  with  Council  Decision  2013/103/EU10  and  the  Agreement  between  the 
European Union and the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by 
Rail (OTIF) on the Accession of the European Union to the COTIF Convention (the 
'Agreement')11.  

Pursuant to Article 13(1)(f) of the COTIF, the Committee of Technical Experts ('CTE') 
of OTIF was set up.  

Pursuant to Article 20(1)(b) of the COTIF, and in accordance with Article 6(1) of the 
Uniform Rules concerning the Validation of Technical Standards and the Adoption of 
Uniform Technical Prescriptions applicable to Railway Material intended to be used in 
International Traffic (APTU) – Appendix F to COTIF, the CTE is competent to adopt 
or  to  amend,  inter  alia,  the  Uniform  Technical  Prescriptions  (UTP)  applicable  to  the 
subsystem  “rolling  stock  –  locomotives  and  passenger  rolling  stock”  (UTP 
LOC&PAS),  to  the  accessibility  of  the  rail  system  for  persons  with  disabilities  and 
persons with reduced mobility (UTP PRM), to vehicle marking (UTP Marking), to the 
subsystem  “infrastructure”  (UTP  INF)  and  to  the  subsystem  Telematics  applications 
for freight services (UTP TAF). 

10 

11 

Council  Decision  2013/103/EU  of  16  June  2011  on  the  signing  and  conclusion  of  the  Agreement 
between the European Union and the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail 
on the Accession of the European Union to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail 
(COTIF) of 9 May 1980, as amended by the Vilnius Protocol of 3 June 1999 (OJ L 51, 23.2.2013, p. 1, 
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2013/103(1)/oj) 
OJ L 51, 23.2.2013, p. 8–10. 

EN 

12 

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(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

Pursuant to Article 20(1)(e) of the COTIF, and in accordance with Article 21(4) of the 
Uniform  Rules  concerning  the  Technical  Admission  of  Railway  Material  used  in 
International Traffic (ATMF - Appendix G to the Convention); the CTE is competent 
to adopt or to amend, inter alia, the Handbook for the implementation and application 
of the APTU and ATMF Uniform Rules. 
The CTE has included in the agenda of its 17th session, that will take place on 17 and 
18 June 2025, a proposal for decisions to revise the UTP LOC&PAS, the UTP PRM, 
the UTP Marking, and the UTP INF, to modify the Appendix I to the UTP TAF, and 
to  update  the  Handbook  for  the  implementation  and  application  of  the  APTU  and 
ATMF Uniform Rules. 

The envisaged acts of the CTE will have legal effects. 

It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union's behalf in the CTE, 
as the proposed decisions will be binding on the Union, pursuant to Article 6(1) APTU 
and Article 35 §§ 3 and 4 COTIF. 

INF  with  Commission 

The objectives of those  decisions are to align the UTP LOC&PAS, UTP PRM, UTP 
Marking,  and  UTP 
(EU) 
2023/169412, to align the references to the ERA’s Technical  Documents of TAF TSI 
listed in Appendix I of UTP TAF, and to update Handbook for the implementation and 
application of the APTU and ATMF Uniform Rules taking into account the return on 
experience from COTIF Contracting States. 

Implementing  Regulation 

The  envisaged  OTIF  decisions  to  revise  the  UTP  PRM,  the  UTP  Marking,  and  the 
UTP  INF  are  in  line  with  the  law  and  the  strategic  objectives  of  the  Union  by 
contributing  to  the  alignment  of  OTIF  legislation  with  the  equivalent  provisions  of 
Union law, and should therefore be supported by the Union. 

(10)  The envisaged OTIF decisions to revise the UTP LOC&PAS and to modify Appendix 
I of UTP TAF are also generally in line with the law and the strategic objectives of the 
Union,  and  contribute  to  the  alignment  of  OTIF  legislation  with  the  equivalent 
provisions of Union law. However, some of the changes proposed by OTIF should be 
aligned with the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/169413 (the ‘2023 
TSI Package’). It is therefore necessary to propose amendments to the envisaged OTIF 
decisions  to  revise  the  UTP  LOC&PAS  and  to  modify  Appendix  I  of  UTP  TAF,  in 
order  to  ensure  alignment  with  EU  acquis  as  last  amended  by  the  2023  TSI 
Package. The  Union  should  thus  support  the  envisaged  decisions  subject  to  the 
condition that these amendments are introduced. 

12  Commission  Implementing  Regulation  (EU)  2023/1694  of  10  August  2023  amending  Regulations  (EU) 
No 321/2013,  (EU)  No  1299/2014,  (EU)  No  1300/2014,  (EU)  No  1301/2014,  (EU)  No  1302/2014,  (EU) 
(OJ  L  222,  8.9.2023,  p.  88, 
No 1304/2014  and 
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/1694/oj) 

Implementing  Regulation 

(EU)  2019/777 

13  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1694 of 10 August 2023 amending Regulations (EU) No 
321/2013,  (EU)  No  1299/2014,  (EU)  No  1300/2014,  (EU)  No  1301/2014,  (EU)  No  1302/2014,  (EU)  No 
(OJ  L  222,  8.9.2023,  p.  88,  ELI: 
1304/2014  and 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/1694/oj). 

Implementing  Regulation  (EU)  2019/777 

EN 

13 

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HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 
The  position  to  be  taken  on  the  Union’s  behalf  during  the  17th  session  of  the  CTE  of  the 
Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail of 9 May 1980 on the revision of the 
UTP  LOC&PAS  applicable  to  the  subsystem  “rolling  stock  –  locomotives  and  passenger 
rolling stock”, the revision of the UTP PRM applicable to the accessibility of the rail system 
for  persons  with  disabilities  and  persons  with  reduced  mobility,  the  revision  of  the  UTP 
Marking  applicable  to  vehicle  marking,  the  revision  of  the  UTP  INF  applicable  to  the 
subsystem “infrastructure”, and on the update of the references to the Technical Documents of 
TAF TSI listed in Appendix I of UTP TAF and of the Handbook for the implementation and 
application of the APTU and ATMF Uniform Rules shall be the following:  

(1) 

to vote in favour of the CTE proposed revision of UTP LOC&PAS applicable to the 
subsystem “rolling stock – locomotives and passenger rolling stock”, as found in the 
CTE  Working  Document  TECH-25003  UTP  LOC&PAS,  subject  to  the  following 
amendments: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

in  section  1  (Introduction)  of  the  Annex,  second  subparagraph,  replace  the 
word “infrastructure” by “network(s)”; 

in  point  2.1  (The  rolling  stock  subsystem  as  part  of  the  rail  system)  of  the 
Annex, fourth subparagraph, delete “, UTP WAG”; 

in  point  2.2.1  (Train  formation),  paragraph  (1),  replace  the  term  “OTIF 
technical admission” by “UTP verification procedure”; 

(d)  delete points 3.2.1 (General requirements, requirements related to maintenance 

and operation) and 3.2.2 (Requirements specific to other subsystem); 

(e) 

(f) 

in point 4.2.3.4.2 (Running dynamic behaviour),  replace the title of paragraph 
(d) by “Additional  requirements  regarding interface with  on-board part of the 
control-command and signalling subsystem”; 

in paragraph (8) of point 4.2.3.4.2 (Running dynamic behaviour), in paragraphs 
(3) and (4) of point 4.2.4.3 (Type of brake system), in  paragraph (3) of  point 
4.2.4.4.1  (Emergency  braking  command),  in  paragraph  (5)  of  point  4.2.4.4.2 
(Service  braking  command),  in  paragraph  (4)  of  point  4.2.4.4.4  (Dynamic 
braking command), in paragraph (6) of point 4.2.4.8.2 (Magnetic track brake), 
in paragraph (9) of point 4.2.4.8.3 (Eddy current track brake), in paragraph (2) 
of  point  4.2.5.5.6  (Door  opening),  in  paragraph  (8)  of  point  4.2.8.1.2 
(Requirements on performance), in paragraph (4) of point 4.2.8.2.4 (Maximum 
power  and  current  from  the  overhead  contact  line),  in  paragraph  (5),  second 
subparagraph,  of  point  4.2.8.2.9.8  (Running  through  phase  or  system 
separation  sections  (RST  level)),  in  paragraphs  (5)  and  (6)  of  point  4.2.9.1.6 
(Driver’s desk ergonomics), in paragraph (4) of point 4.2.9.3.6 (Radio Remote 
control function by staff for shunting operation), in points 4.2.9.3.8.1 (Sleeping 
mode),  4.2.9.3.8.2  (Passive  shunting),  4.2.9.3.8.3  (Non  leading),  4.2.9.3.9 
(Traction status), in paragraph (5) of point 4.2.10.4.2 (Smoke Control), in point 
4.2.13 (Interface requirements with Automated Train Operation on-board): 

– 

– 

replace  “signalling  system”  by  “control-command  and  signalling 
subsystem”; 

delete “See point 4.3.4”; 

EN 

14 

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(g) 

(h) 

(i) 

(j) 

in  point  4.2.4.6.1  (Limit  of  wheel  rail  adhesion  profile),  delete  the  wording 
“Note to points (1) – (4)”; 

in  point  4.2.4.7  (Dynamic  brake  –  Braking  system  linked  to  traction  system), 
replace the third paragraph by “For electric units, in case the presence on-board 
the unit of the voltage delivered by the external power supply is a condition for 
the dynamic brake application, the safety analysis shall cover failures leading 
to absence on-board the unit of that voltage.”; 

in point 4.2.7.1.4 (Lamp controls), paragraph (3),  replace “a flashing/blinking 
mode” by “an automatic flashing/blinking mode”; 

in  paragraph  (1)  of  point  4.2.9.6  (Recording  device),  replace  the  fourth 
subparagraph by “Additional data pertaining to the on-board control-command 
and signalling subsystem may be required to be recorded”; 

(k) 

in point 4.2.12.2 (General documentation), paragraph (24): 

– 

– 

in  the  first  tiret,  replace  “signalling  equipment”  by  “control-command 
and signalling subsystem”; 

replace  the  second  tiret  by  “conditions  for  the  installation  of  on-board 
part of the control-command and signalling subsystem (e.g. mechanical, 
electrical, etc.).”; 

(l) 

in  point  6.2.6  (Assessment  of  documentation  requested  for  operation  and 
maintenance), paragraph (1), delete “and assessing entity”; 

(m) 

in  point  7.3.2,  delete  all  specific  cases  for  the  United  Kingdom  in  respect  of 
Northern Ireland. 

to vote in favour of the CTE proposed amendments to UTP PRM applicable to the 
accessibility of the rail system for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced 
mobility, as found in the CTE Working Document TECH-25004 UTP PRM. 

to  vote  in  favour  of  the  CTE  proposed  amendments  to  UTP  Marking  applicable  to 
vehicle  marking,  as  found  in  the  CTE  Working  Document  TECH-25005  UTP 
Marking. 

to  vote  in  favour  of  the  CTE  proposed  amendments  to  UTP  INF  applicable  to  the 
subsystem  “infrastructure”,  as  found  in  the  CTE  Working  Document  TECH-25006 
UTP INF. 

to  vote  in  favour  of  the  CTE  proposal  to  update  the  references  to  the  Technical 
Documents  of  TAF  TSI  listed  in  Appendix  I  of  UTP  TAF,  as  found  in  the  CTE 
Working Document TECH-25007 UTP TAF, subject to the following amendment: 

– 

in the table in Appendix I, replace the line number 6 as follows: 

6 

ERA-TD-105  TAF  TSI  -  Annex  D.2: 
Appendix  F  -  TAF  TSI 
Data 
and  Message 
Model 

3.5.1 

15.12.2024 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

EN 

15 

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(6) 

to  vote  in  favour  of  the  CTE  proposal  to  Update  of  the  Handbook  for  the 
implementation and application of the APTU and ATMF Uniform Rules, as found in 
the  CTE  Working  Document  TECH-25011  Handbook,  subject  to  the  following 
amendments: 

– 

Point 5.3.3 – specific cases 

– 

– 

– 

– 

in the first tiret, “A specific case is primarily used” should be replaced by 
“A specific case should be used”; 

in  the  first  tiret,  “deviation  from  a  requirement  in  the  UTP”  should  be 
completed with “due to technical constraints affecting compatibility with 
the existing system.”; 

in the first tiret, “and national technical requirements are mainly used to 
define requirements in addition to the UTPs” should be replaced by “. A 
national  technical  requirement  should  be  used  to  define  a  requirement 
other than those laid down in the UTPs”; 

in  the  fifth  tiret,  “the  specific  case  may  refer  to  a  national  technical 
requirement for this purpose” should be replaced by “the specific case in 
the  UTP  may  refer  instead  to  a  specific  national  technical  requirement 
defining corresponding assessment method”; 

– 

 Point 5.4 – national technical requirements 

– 

in the fourth paragraph, “In some cases, the NTR can be transferred into 
the  UTP,  in  full  or  in  part,  in  the  form  of  a  specific  case”  should  be 
replaced  by  “In  case  a  national  technical  requirement  falls,  in  full  or  in 
part,  in  the  scope  of  a  requirement  laid  down  in  the  UTP,  it  should  be 
transferred into the UTP in the form of a specific case”. 

– 

Point 10.3 – Correlation with EU Law 

– 

– 

– 

in  the  second  paragraph,  “whether  an  ECM”  should  be  replaced  by 
“whether their ECM”; 

in  the  fourth  paragraph,  first  tiret,  “should  be  accepted”  should  be 
replaced by “should be accepted in international traffic”; 

in the fourth paragraph, second tiret, “For the purpose of providing ECM 
services,”  should  be  replaced  by  “For  the  purpose  of  providing  ECM 
services on the territory of a Contracting State,” and “Contracting States” 
should be replaced by “that Contracting State”. 

(7) 

Minor changes may be agreed to the acts set out in this Article by the Commission, 
without a further decision of the Council. 

Once adopted, the decisions of the Committee of Technical Experts shall be published in the 
Official Journal of the European Union, indicating the date of their entry into force. 

Article 2 

EN 

16 

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This Decision shall enter into force on 16 June 2025. 

Done at Brussels, 

Article 3 

For the Council 
The President 

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