RSSB accredits the vehicle acceptance and conformance certification bodies. These bodies certificate that rolling stock designs, constructions and maintenance comply with Railway Group standards.
Significant Change for VABs since 1 October 2006 -
Updated September 2010
Impact on Vehicle Acceptance Bodies following approval of Non-Compliance Pending Standards Change against GM/RT2000
Rolling Stock Standards Committee approved a small scale change to GM/RT2000 implemented in December 2009 incorporated a previous application for a Non-Compliance Pending Standards Change (06/156/NC), submitted by ATOC. The effect of which is to de-mandate the mandatory requirements of GM/RT2000. This change was brought about by the coming into force of the Railways and other Guided Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006. Two further small scale changes to implement Non-compliances associated with GM/RT2001 and GM/RT2004 were also approved.
The implications of the changes are that the exclusive mandatory requirements to use only a Vehicle Acceptance Body to verify compliance with Railway Group Standards no longer apply. In parallel to this change, the definition of the Certificate of Engineering Acceptance was modified to reflect the categories of bodies that can issue such certificates.
The definition of Certificate of Engineering Acceptance now states ‘The declaration by a Railway Undertaking, or by a Notified body or a Competent Person employed or contracted by a Railway Undertaking that a rail vehicle(s) conforms to all of the relevant mandatory standards (including authorised non-compliances)’.
Any VAB that is working in accordance with GM/RT2000 will also fall within the definition of a Competent Person, within the scope of their accreditation.
The Rail Safety and Standards Board will continue to accredit Vehicle Acceptance Bodies, as competent to fulfil the role of a Competent Person, as long as there is a reasonable demand for such services. The verification of conformance with applicable Railway Group Standards is a role which has been performed effectively for many years and a number of players within the industry still wish to use such facilities. As is currently the case, it is the responsibility of Vehicle Acceptance Bodies to market their own services and determine whether demand for such services continues.
A separate work stream revised the requirements within Railway Group Standard GE/RT8270 to align the requirements with those set out in the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2006 and the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006.
For more information on the work of the VABs, please contact either John Barber, Senior Assurance Manager on 020 3142 5588 or Graham Nicholas, Assurance Specialist, 020 3142 5609.
Engineering Acceptance of Rail Vehicles Company - Schedule of Audits 2011
Engineering Acceptance of Rail Vehicles Company Scope of Approval
Enginnering Acceptance of Rail Vehicles - Authorised Signatories
VAB Annual Conference 2010, 17 September 2010, RSSB Offices, London
The imminent introduction of the Railways Interoperability Regulations was anticipated when choosing the theme for this year’s VAB Conference held at RSSB offices on Friday 17 September 2010.
‘The future of VABs’ reflected the impending change in the UK regulations governing approval of railway vehicles and equipment. As well as presentations by RSSB personnel John Barber, Graham Nicholas and Cliff Cork, Paul Hooper of ORR and James Collinson of Network Rail also spoke on the theme.
Representatives of the majority of VABs were in attendance; additionally, key personnel from Network Rail, Rolling Stock Library, ORR and Eversholt leasing were present.
Delegates participated in group sessions, designed to elicit views on the present and future situation regarding industry vehicle certification and approval services. The output from these sessions is currently being analysed and will be used as an input to the development of future arrangements to position them within the new legislation.
Please refer to the Conference presentations below for more detail of the event:
Welcome and introductions
Accreditation Agency feedback
Update on ROGS revision and European update
Where do RGSs fit in the European standards system?
More from VABs - a customer's perspective