About Us

The Rail Safety and Standards Board is the independent safety, standards and research body for Great Britain’s rail network. We work across Britain’s evolving railway to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Our approach

RSSB is a membership organisation that is owned by and serves Britain’s rail industry. It is a non-profit company limited by guarantee and governed by a Board. Its way of working is set out in the Constitution Agreement and its Articles of Association, which include the memorandum of association. 

We were established in 2003, in the aftermath of the Ladbroke Grove rail crash. Since then we have been supporting Britain’s rail sector. 

Our work

We work collaboratively with an evolving industry to ensure that it is operated safely, and cost-effectively to the benefit of passengers and freight. 

Our work focuses on six key areas. These are safer, healthier, harmonised, efficient, future and sustainable rail. We develop standards, monitor safety and health performance, and provide sustainability guidance, underpinned by research and data.

Our member-focussed tools and solutions are developed for our members. Designed to address the most pressing industry challenges; cost reduction, safe and satisfied passengers, improving system reliability and resilience, adopting new technology, improving freight safety and growth, and increasing rail’s sustainability and its benefit to society.

We are proudly impartial, and home to some of rail’s leading experts. Guided by facts and data-driven analysis, we help to bridge knowledge gaps, optimise technology use, and disseminate and systemise industry best practice.

Through our strategy we aim to benefit members by:

• Ensuring financial sustainability through cost efficiencies and centralised technical services.
• Delivering outstanding service and engagement.
• Reducing direct cost to members by expanding commercial activities.
• Improving RSSB’s organisational health to attract and retain skilled staff.
• Leveraging digital transformation to enhance efficiency, customer understanding, and provide optimal solutions.

Learn more about our work

What this video to learn how we improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability, to help our members build a safer, smarter rail network.

 

Why it matters

The rail industry has grown considerably, but to reach its full potential we must increase the mobility of people and goods while reducing emissions, pollution and road congestion. Unlocking the railway’s full potential is a massive technical challenge. Doing it safely, sustainably and efficiently is an even bigger one.

Many businesses and organisations contribute to this increasingly dynamic system. Our skills and experience in collaborating with operators and innovators, co-ordinating research and development, and codifying technical knowledge will be crucial for the rail network. Working with the industry, we ensure that its users enjoy the benefits of rail for decades to come.

Helping us all work smarter, as well as safer.

What we value

• Trust
• Innovation
• Our customers
• Knowledge.