1.Each of the subsystems shall be covered by a TSI. Where necessary, especially for treating categories of lines, hubs or rolling stock separately, or to solve certain interoperability problems as a matter of priority, a subsystem may be covered by several TSIs. In this case the provisions of this Article also apply to the part of the subsystem concerned.
2.Subsystems shall comply with the TSIs; this compliance shall be permanently maintained while each subsystem is in use.
3.To the extent necessary in order to achieve the objectives referred to in Article 1, each TSI shall:
(a)indicate its intended scope (part of network or rolling stock referred to in Annex I: subsystem or part of subsystem referred to in Annex II);
(b)lay down essential requirements for each subsystem concerned and its interfaces vis-à-vis other subsystems;
(c)establish the functional and technical specifications to be met by the subsystem and its interfaces vis-à-vis other subsystems. If need be, these specifications may vary according to the use of the subsystem, for example according to the categories of line, hub and/or rolling stock provided for in Annex I;
(d)determine the interoperability constituents and interfaces which must be covered by European specifications, including European standards, which are necessary to achieve interoperability within the trans-European conventional rail system;
(e)state, in each case under consideration, the procedures for the assessment of conformity or suitability of use. This includes in particular the modules defined in Decision 93/465/EEC or, where appropriate, the specific procedures, to be used to assess either the conformity or the suitability for use of interoperability constituents and ‘EC’ verification of subsystems;
(f)indicate the strategy for implementing the TSIs. In particular, it is necessary to specify the stages to be completed in order to make a gradual transition from the existing situation to the final situation in which compliance with the TSIs shall be the norm;
(g)indicate, for the staff concerned, the professional qualifications and health and safety conditions at work required for the operation and maintenance of the above subsystem, as well as for the implementation of the TSIs.
4.Each TSI shall be drawn up on the basis of an examination of an existing subsystem and indicate a target subsystem that may be obtained gradually within a reasonable time-scale. Accordingly, the gradual adoption of the TSIs and compliance therewith will help gradually to achieve the interoperability of the trans-European conventional rail system.
5.The TSIs shall retain, in an appropriate manner, the compatibility of the existing rail system of each Member State. With this objective, provision may be made for specific cases for each set of TSIs, with regard to both infrastructure and rolling stock; special attention must be given to the loading gauge, the track gauge or space between the tracks and wagons from or going to third countries. For each specific case, the TSIs stipulate the implementing rules of the elements of the TSIs indicated in paragraphs 3(c) to (g).
6.The TSIs shall not be an impediment to decisions by the Member States concerning the use of infrastructures for the movement of rolling stock not covered by the TSIs.
1.Draft TSIs shall be drawn up by the joint representative body under a mandate from the Commission in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 21(2). TSIs shall be adopted and reviewed by the same procedure. They shall be published by the Commission in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
2.The joint representative body shall be designated in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 21(2); it shall comply with the rules laid down in Annex VIII. Where the joint representative body does not comply with these rules or does not have the authority needed to draw up a particular TSI, another authorised body shall be designated by the same procedure. In the latter case, the joint representative body must be associated with the work of the other body.
3.The joint representative body or, where appropriate, the authorised body in question shall be responsible for preparing the review and updating of TSIs and making appropriate recommendations to the Committee referred to in Article 21 in order to take account of developments in technology or social requirements.
4.Each draft TSI shall be drawn up in two stages.
First of all, the joint representative body shall identify the basic parameters for this TSI as well as the interfaces with the other subsystems and any other specific cases that may be necessary. The most viable alternative solutions accompanied by technical and economic justification shall be put forward for each of these parameters and interfaces. A decision shall be taken in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 21(2); if necessary, specific cases shall be cited.
The joint representative body shall then draw up the draft TSI on the basis of these basic parameters. Where appropriate, the joint representative body shall take account of technical progress, of standardisation work already carried out, of working parties already in place and of acknowledged research work. An overall assessment of the estimated costs and benefits of the implementation of the TSIs shall be attached to the draft TSI; this assessment shall indicate the likely impact for all the operators and economic agents involved.
5.The drafting, adoption and review of each TSI (including the basic parameters) shall take account of the estimated costs and benefits of all the technical solutions considered together with the interfaces between them, so as to establish and implement the most viable solutions. The Member States shall participate in this assessment by providing the requisite data.
6.The Committee referred to in Article 21 shall be kept regularly informed of the preparatory work on the TSIs. During this work the Committee may formulate any terms of reference or useful recommendations concerning the design of the TSIs and the cost-benefit analysis. In particular, the Committee may, at the request of a Member State, require that alternative solutions be examined and that the assessment of the cost and benefits of these alternative solutions be set out in the report annexed to the draft TSI.
7.On the adoption of each TSI, the date of entry into force of that TSI shall be established in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 21(2). Where different subsystems have to be put into service simultaneously for reasons of technical compatibility, the dates of entry into force of the corresponding TSIs shall be the same.
8.The drafting and review of the TSIs shall take account of the opinions of the users, as regards the characteristics which have a direct impact on the conditions in which they use the subsystems.
To that end the joint representative body or, where appropriate, the authorised body shall consult associations and bodies representing users during the drafting and review phases of the TSIs.
They shall enclose with the draft TSI a report on the results of this consultation.
The list of associations and bodies to be consulted shall be finalised by the Committee referred to in Article 21 before adopting the mandate of the first TSI and may be re-examined and updated at the request of a Member State or the Commission.
9.The drafting and review of the TSIs shall take account of the opinion of the social partners as regards the conditions referred to in Article 5(3)(g).
To this end, the social partners shall be consulted before the draft TSI is submitted, for adoption or review, to the Committee referred to in Article 21.
The social partners shall be consulted in the context of the Sectoral Dialogue Committee set up in accordance with Commission Decision 98/500/EC(1).
The social partners shall issue their opinion within three months.
A Member State need not apply one or more TSIs, including those relating to rolling stock, in the following cases and circumstances:
for a proposed new line, for the upgrading of an existing line, or for any element referred to Article 1(1) at an advanced stage of development or the subject of a contract in course of performance when these TSIs are published;
for any project concerning the renewal or upgrading of an existing line where the loading gauge, track gauge, space between the tracks, or electrification voltage in these TSIs is not compatible with those of the existing line;
for a proposed new line or for the proposed renewal or upgrading of an existing line in the territory of that Member State when its rail network is separated or isolated by the sea from the rail network of the rest of the Community;
for any proposed renewal, extension or upgrading of an existing line, when the application of these TSIs would compromise the economic viability of the project and/or the compatibility of the rail system in the Member State;
where, following an accident or a natural disaster, the conditions for the rapid restoration of the network do not economically or technically allow for partial or total application of the relevant TSIs;
for wagons from or going to third countries the track gauge of which is different from that of the main rail network of the Community.
In all cases the Member State concerned shall serve prior notice of its intended derogation to the Commission and shall forward to it a file setting out the TSIs or the parts of TSIs that it does not wish to be applied as well as the corresponding specifications that it does wish to apply. The Committee provided for in Article 21 shall analyse the measures envisaged by the Member State. In cases (b), (d) and (f), the Commission shall take a decision in accordance with the procedure in Article 21(2). Where necessary, a recommendation shall be drawn up concerning the specifications to be applied. Nevertheless, in the case of (b) the Commission's decision shall not cover the loading gauge and the track gauge.
Commission Decision 98/500/EC of 20 May 1998 on the establishment of Sectoral Dialogue Committees promoting the Dialogue between the social partners at European level (OJ L 255, 12.8.1998, p. 27).