EA successfully fulfilled its cooperation role with the European Union Agency for Railways to improve the consistent assessment of conformity assessment bodies regarding the Interoperability Directive (IOD).
The main objective was to develop a detailed set of requirements, in particular the technical requirements, needed to be fulfilled by notified bodies in order to improve and harmonize the general level of performance of EU notified bodies under Directive 2008/57/EC and to increase trust in the work performed by notified bodies.
The assessment scheme developed is divided into two parts: a first one produces general references and information on legal requirements for notified bodies, scheme owner, the NAB assessment teams, accreditation information etc., and a second one provides sectorial requirements to apply when accrediting CABs for the purpose of notification under the IOD.
On 27th June 2017, the Agency’s Management Board approved the provisions for auditing notified conformity assessment bodies in the framework of Article 34 § 3 of Regulation (EU) 2016/796.
This successful outcome is a very good example of fruitful cooperation between EA and the European Commission and its agencies. It enhances confidence for future cooperation projects with the European Commission and its DGs and agencies.