Safety & Interoperability 22 Mar 2023

European Union Agency for Railways

The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) was established in 2004 to devise the technical and legal framework for creating a Single European Railway Area (SERA) as mandated under European Union law. ERA’s core activities are creating a harmonised approach to safety, removing technical barriers, advancing the single European Train Control and Communication System (ERTMS), and promoting simplified access for customers for the European rail sector.

With the entry-into-force of the technical pillar of the 4th Railway Package, the mandate of the Agency has been extended. As of June 2019, ERA became a European authority responsible for issuing vehicle authorisations and safety certificates in the European Union, as well as pre-authorising ERTMS trackside equipment.

To visit ERA's website, click here.