NB-RAIL – Recommendation For Use (RFU)
In accordance with the principles of (EU) 2016/797 Art 44, (EC) No 765/2008 Art R30 & R17(11) and the Blue Guide 2016 (5.2.2&5.2.4) NB-Rail Coordination Group prepares recommendations for use in conjunction with the provisions of the TSIs and (EU) 2016/797 (so called RFUs).
The text of an RFU must undergo a three-level screening process where the proposed text is drafted, reviewed and improved between technical expert level, process expert level and endorsement by all notified bodies present at the NB-Rail Coordination Group plenary meeting. As a fundamental principle, an RFU shall ensure a uniform application of the current technical provisions of the applicable legislation as established by the European Commissions by clarification, but it cannot alter any mandatory content of this applicable legislation.
Although RFU's do not require formal approval from external bodies, at all 3 levels ERA representatives are informed and their feedback is welcomed and also the regulatory committee known as the "Railway Interoperability and Safety Committee (RISC)" can comment on RFUs in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 51 of the Directive (EU) 2016/797.
RFUs are published as primary source as defined by the Blue Guide 2016 (5.2.4) on the European Community webpage https://circabc.europa.eu. RFUs are “administrative decisions” as defined by Directive (EU) 2016/797 Art 30.6 and therefore shall be applied by all notified bodies.
As this resource is by many considered as difficult to navigate, NB-Rail Association supports the NB-Rail Coordination Group to present the same RFUs also on this web page here below.
RFU-STR-001 Content of EC Certificates