RSSB logo
Menu
Register
  • RSSB logo
  • About RSSB
    • About Us
      Who We Are
      What We Do
    • Insights and News
      • Horizon magazine
      • RSSB Podcast
    • Key Industry Topics
      • Data Science and AI
      • Futures Lab
      • Graphic Insights
    • Groups and Committees
      Career Opportunities
    • Member Enquiries
  • Services and Resources
    • Case Study Library
    • Events and Webinars
    • Consultancy
      Training
      • Introduction to Rolling Stock Digital Systems Training
    • Railway Documentation and Drawing Services
      Railway Industry Supplier Approval Scheme
    • Research Catalogue
      Standards Catalogue
  • Safety and Health
    • Rail Health and Safety Strategy
      Safety Risk Groups
      Wellbeing Groups
    • Asset Integrity
      Fatigue
      Freight Safety
    • Health and Wellbeing
      Level Crossings
      Occupational Health and Safety
    • Passenger Operations
      Passenger and Staff Assaults
      Train Operations
    • Trespass and Suicide
      Safety and Health Tools & Resources
      Common Solutions
  • Standards
    • Types of standards and how they work
      Defining the future of standards
      • Rail Standards Strategy
      • Railway Standards Code and Standards Manual
    • Using standards
      • Latest Updates to Standards
      Standards Self-Assessments
      Rail Standards Consultations
    • Where we use rail standards
      • Control, command and signalling
      • Data, systems and telematics
      • Energy
      • Infrastructure
      • Plant
      • Rolling stock
      • Traffic operation and management
    • Industry Standards Coordination Committee
      Digital Railway Assurance Steering Group
    • Standards Catalogue
      Rule Book App
      Subscribe to Standards News
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainable Rail Blueprint
    • Net zero carbon rail
      A Quieter Railway
      Clean Air
    • Prepared for a Changing Climate
      A Railway for Nature
      Zero Waste
      Protect and Conserve Water
    • Maximising Social Value
      Rail at the Heart of Communities
      Careers, Economy & Sustainable Growth
      People-centred Rail
    • Sustainability Tools and Resources
      Sustainable Rail Groups
  • Research
    • About the Research Programme
      Engage with the Research Programme
    • How Research Delivers Benefits
      Collaboration in Research
    • Flagship Research Activities
      • Adhesion
      • Freight Research Programme
      • Performance
    • Research Highlights - Spring 2025
      Rail Technical Strategy
    • Research Catalogue
      SPARK
  • Join RSSB
    • Join RSSB
    • International RSSB
      Becoming a Member - GB and Overseas
    • Find out Who Joins RSSB and Why
    • What our members and affiliates say
    • Membership Benefits
      Membership Offerings
      Our Business Plan
  • Membership Benefits
    • Make the most of your RSSB membership
      Membership Offerings
    • Dedicated support from our team
      Meet our Engagement Managers
    • Who Joins RSSB and Why?
    • What Our Members and Affiliates Say
    • Access to our Leading Experts
Register
  • RSSB
  • Standards
  • Using Standards

Using Standards

Introduction

Finding and staying on top of changes to industry-agreed standards, rules and best practice.
Standards Catalogue
Explore all our standards documentation, including Rule Book modules, guidance notes, and more.
Rule Book App
Get 24/7 access to our comprehensive Rule Book at your fingertips.
Latest Updates to Standards
View the details of all our quarterly standards updates.
Guidance on the Application of Railway Standards
Standards have a vital role in making rail a competitive and safe mode of transport. Their content and application help deliver a safe, efficient and cost-effective railway.
Complying with Legislation
Information on the legislative framework which outline how the rail industry operates, covering railway, and non-railway- specific regulations.
Getting Help with Standards
Information about how we can help if you have a problem or have suggestions for improvements to standards.
How to Change Standards
Details of how RSSB can help and determine a way forward if you experience difficulties with a standard.
How to Apply for a Standards Deviation
Find out how you can seek permission to use an alternative provision for standards if you are not able to comply with a requirement.
How Industry Agrees Standards
This page explains the roles of the industry committees that manage the standards and related guidance produced by RSSB.
Standards Self-Assessments
Gain a better understanding of standards with our handy tests.
Standards Consultations
Find all our open standards consultations and have your say.
Sign up to receive notifications on standards consultations
Ready to get involved? Get notified of our new standards consultations and dive in.
Depot Sidings Safety Surveys
The Depot Sidings Safety Surveys have been produced through the exploration of the operational risks and hazards associated with stabling, disposal and maintenance of OTM and engineering trains in Network Rail allocated stabling locations.
J Tables - Combining Load Units and Vehicles for Freight Gauges
J Tables are a set of tables that set out the acceptable combinations of load units and vehicles for gauges in freight W6a, W7, W7a, W8, W8a, W9, W9a, W9plus, W10, W10a and W12.
  • References to EU legislation and institutions

    From 1 January 2021 the EU Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) have ceased to apply in the UK. These have been replaced by National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs) pursuant to regulation 3B of the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011. The technical content of TSIs have been substantially reproduced in the NTSNs except where GB specific alternatives are identified as specific cases in the relevant NTSNs. Therefore references to TSIs correspond to equivalent references in NTSNs.

    There may be some older documents in the Standards Catalogue that will still reference TSIs until they are updated. References to TSIs should be read as NTSN.

    Additionally, any references to EU Directives, Regulations and Decisions that are no longer applicable in the UK should be read in conjunction with relevant UK regulations and associated guidance. The same applies to references to the European Commission (EC) or European Union Agency for Rail (ERA) as they do not play any role in discharging any functions or obligations under domestic regulations. Any technical documents and specifications published by relevant EU institutions remain valid references for use if also referenced by relevant UK regulations and associated documents.

    All references to TSIs, EU Directives, Regulations and Decisions are subject to change when standards are next updated.

     
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
Get in touch with us for more information.
silhouette-man-profile
Customer Portal
https://customer-portal.rssb.co.uk
Other RSSB sites
Standards Consultations
CIRAS
RISAS
RISQS
SPARK
Catalogues
Research Catalogue
Standards Catalogue
Policies & Statements
RSSB’s Gender & Ethnicity Pay Gap
Accessibility Statement
Contact us|
Customer Portal|
© 2025 Rail Safety and Standards Board Ltd All Rights Reserved Rail Safety and Standards Board Ltd is Registered in England under company number 04655675
Cookie Policy|
Privacy Notice|
Terms of Service|