Technical authorisation

A new infrastructure or a new vehicle shall be authorised by the Swedish Transport Agency before putting into service. This is also the case of upgrading or renewal of an authorised vehicle or subsystem. The authorisation means that a subsystem is allowed to be operated in Sweden. An authorisation is normally valid until the subsystem is upgraded or renewed. Also names of operating station needs an authorisation to be put into service.

The Swedish Transport Agency authorises subsystems for railways according to our Regulation TSFS 2010: 116. (Link to not legally binding translation of TSFS 2010:116). Normally, also EU technical specifications for interoperability (TSIs) apply for the authorisation. The Swedish Transport Agency has a guide for authorisation TS JV 2009: 002. The Commission has also produced a recommendation concerning the authorisation for putting into service of the structural subsystems and vehicles (DV29bis, EU recommendation 2014/897/EU). For the authorisation of vehicles and subsystems for tram and metro, we apply the Regulation TSFS 2010: 115, in these cases the EU TSIs for interoperability do not apply.

The Swedish Transport Agency may authorise a subsystem when the essential requirements on safety, interoperability, environment, health, availability, and reliability are met. This means that the new system should be at least as safe as equivalent subsystem which is in operation at the time of the application. The Authorisation shall also ensure that the subsystems are interoperable and can be operated together (vehicle-infrastructure-signalling system). For some railway subsystems the essential requirements are deemed to be fulfilled when the subsystem meets the requirements of the relevant TSIs.

The new directive on the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union, EU 2016/797, will be applied in Sweden from 31 October 2020. The directive states that the European Union Agency for Railways located in Valenciennes will authorise new and modified railway vehicles. The authorisation will be valid for traffic within a region which can include railway networks in several member states including Norway and Switzerland. The vehicles have to fulfil the relevant TSIs of the European Union and a limited number of national rules. The applicant (e.g. a German manufacturer) has the responsibility to ensure that the vehicles fulfil the technical requirements of the TSIs. The so called notified body (NoBo) should assess that the requirements are fulfilled. Agreement with the national rules is assessed by designated bodies (DeBo). The Railway agency shall authorise specifications for the track side control command systems with ERTMS. The Swedish Transport Agency still has the authority after 2020 to authorise vehicles that shall be in traffic only in Sweden, on the request of the
applicant.

What has to be authorised?

The following subsystems for railway, metro and trams need an authorisation to be put into service:

• New vehicles for rail, metro and tramways shall be authorised by the Swedish Transport Agency before they are allowed to be put into service in Sweden. This is also normally the case for imported and considerable modified vehicles. There are some exceptions in our regulations and in the TSI Wagons.
• A new or considerable modified track infrastructure (tracks and energy systems) shall be authorised before being put into service. There are some exceptions for minor modifications.
• Technical subsystems (e.g. signalling and radio systems) are only authorised installed in an infrastructure or a vehicle. It is the infrastructure or vehicle where the subsystem is installed which needs an authorisation to be put into service.
• Names and signatures of operating stations in the railway system are essential for the traffic safety. They are used in safety calls in the railway operation. An authorisation of name of an operating station is only need for new stations and in case of change of the name of the station.

Authorisations issued by the Järnvägsinspektionen or the Järnvägsstyrelsen are valid for operation in Sweden as long as the subsystem is not upgraded or renewed.

Which process does the Swedish Transport Agency apply?

The Swedish Transport Agency regulation on authorisation of subsystems for railway has two different processes. The harmonized European process with application of TSIs (Technical Specifications for Interoperability). This process is normally used for authorisation of subsystems for railways, as most railway subsystems are affected by the TSIs since 2011. The applicant has to engage a notified body (Nobo) in the authorisation process. A NoBo is an independent assessor who assesses the subsystem and the interoperable constituents fulfils the TSI requirements.

How to find Nobos

The notified bodies are notified to make assessments of a subsystem according to one or more TSIs. All Nobos are listed on the commission web “NANDO”, New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations (see external links on the right). On this web you can find notified bodies according to directives (e.g. the interoperability directive 2008/57/EC). You will also find which subsystems they are notified against.

The national authorisation process

The national process for authorisation is applied for subsystems based on national rules (e.g. metro, tram and national safety constituents)). There are also some subsystems and functions for railways were the national rules applies, as the TSI does not cover these subsystems or functions (e.g. suburban lines, shunters, OTMs and interlockings).

When upgrading or renewal of an authorised subsystem you should send a description of the project to the Swedish Transport Agency, at least for major projects or project where the safety level may be affected. We will decide if there is a need for a new authorisation of the modified subsystem and the functions which have to be reassessed in the project. Only modified functions and interfaces to these functions should be reassessed in a project. You are always welcome to contact the Swedish Transport Agency for clarifications.

Who can be applicant?

The applicant for a vehicle authorisation may be the contracting entity or the manufacturer, or their authorised representative within the Community. For infrastructure the constructer or the contracting entity may be the applicant. The applicant is responsible to send all necessary documentation to the Swedish Transport Agency. The Swedish Transport Agency always address the authorisation of a subsystem to the applicant.

An authorised subsystem is allowed to be put into service and be used by all operators which have safety certificates or a safety authorisation for the operation of the types of subsystems (e.g. tram or railway infrastructure). The operator has to apply the conditions and the manuals specified in the authorisation.

Revoke authorisations

According to the railway law the Swedish Transport Agency may revoke an authorisation of a subsystem in the case of:

• A subsystem does not fulfil the essential requirements any more (e.g. after a modification)
• The keeper or operators of the subsystem does not follow mandatory laws or regulations (e.g. neglect to pay for or send data to the national vehicle register).

The Swedish Transport Agency may also prohibit or limit the use of an authorised subsystem. We may also set fines in these cases.