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Vehicle Acceptance BodiesRSSB accredits the vehicle acceptance and conformance certification bodies. These bodies certificate that new and modified rolling stock designs, constructions and maintenance will comply with Railway Group standards.
Please contact John Barber, VAB Accreditation Manager if you would like further assistance.
Significant Change for VABs from 1 October 2006 Impact on Vehicle Acceptance Bodies following approval of Non-Compliance Pending Standards Change against GM/RT2000 A significant change that affects all Vehicle Acceptance Bodies from 1 October 2006 has taken place and this briefing and attached Q&A describes the change and attempts to address a number of questions we have already been asked. On the 18 August, the Rolling Stock Standards Committee approved an 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 has been brought about by the coming into force of the Railways and other Guided Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006. Two further Non-compliances associated with GM/RT2001 and GM/RT2004 have also been recently approved and the details of these are set out in the revised Questions and Answers section. The implications of the Non Compliance are that the exclusive mandatory requirements to use only a Vehicle Acceptance Body to verify compliance with Railway Group Standards will no longer apply from October. In parallel to this change, the definition of the Certificate of Engineering Acceptance is modified to reflect the categories of bodies that can issue such certificates. The definition of Certificate of Engineering Acceptance is revised to state ‘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)’ This definition change and an explanatory note are now published in the Railway Group Standards catalogue to coincide with the coming into force of 06/156/NC on the 1 October 2006. From this date, any VAB that is working in accordance with GM/RT2000 will 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 may 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 further work stream is underway to revise the requirements within Railway Group Standard GE/RT8270 to align the requirements of this standard with those set out in the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2006 and the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006. These changes will be consulted on with the aim of the revised standard coming into force in 2007. A number of questions have been raised on this change and these, together with answers, are attached. However, if you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Cliff Cork on 020 3142 5580
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