Since the coming into force of the Railway Safety Directive in 2004 the European Union has taken an increasing role in the development of safety regulation in EU railways. The European Railway Agency, established by the EU to develop the measures set out in the directive, has been fully operational since 2006 and is beginning to have a significant influence on the way railway health and safety is regulated. Their work increasingly influences the way ORR, as the national safety authority, carries out its work and hence will have an impact on the industry. This presentation provides a summary of ORR's involvement with ERA and the European Commission, and impression of the most significant effects on the rail industry.
