Overview

National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs) came into effect in Great Britain (GB) on 1 January 2021. These replaced and substantially reproduced the content of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability which apply in the European Union.

NTSNs contain requirements and assessment procedures which must be met to satisfy the ‘essential requirements’ defined in the Railways Interoperability Regulations 2011 (as amended) (RIR). This enables all parts of the railways to run as a whole system.

NTSNs are published by the Secretary of State for Transport on the Department for Transport (DfT) website. They are supplemented by National Technical Rules (NTRs).