New regulation on digital interoperability in rail transport

The European Union has published a new regulation governing the digital exchange of data between operators and systems.

The new Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/253 of 6 February is now available. It sets out the technical specifications relating to the telematics subsystem of the European Union rail system for interoperability in data exchange in rail transport (TAF TSI).

With the entry into force of this new regulation, the previous legislation is repealed and replaced: Regulation (EU) No 454/2011 (TAP TSI) and Regulation (EU) No 1305/2014 (TAF TSI).

This new framework has a direct impact on railway operators. The main new features include:

• Introduction of the electronic consignment note, exchanged telematically, fully valid and legally binding. This communication method is therefore positioned as equivalent to the traditional paper consignment note.

• Inclusion of specific data on rail traffic and train composition within digital systems, including train and cargo composition, identification of wagons and transport units, capacity and intermodality, among others.

• Full integration of the rail intermodal freight transport system. Through telematic management and tracking functions, both goods and trains at multimodal terminals, as well as inland service facilities, are interconnected.

• Implementation of a common ontology establishing specifications on data quality and minimum cybersecurity requirements for data storage and exchange processes.

Access the official text of the Regulation here.