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EU wants operators to raise their game
Page 6
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Proposals include an extensive training requirement for transport managers and a new cabotage regime. Patric Cunnane reports.
BRUSSELS IS PROPOSING regulations to make it tougher for rogue operators to gain access to the industry. They include stricter rules governing the transport manager's responsibilities and links with their companies, and tougher conditions of good repute, financial standing and professional competence.
The regulations will stipulate a minimum 140 hours' training prior to the CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) exam and the accreditation of training and examination centres. Action on training standards is needed because the pass rate in CPC exams across the EU varies from 10% to 90%, according to the European Commission.
Enforcement authorities will issue a warning to firms that do not satisfy the criteria of good repute, professional competence or financial competence. If a shortcoming is not put right within a specified period, sanctions could include revocation of the company's 0-licence and disqualification of its transport manager.
The proposals also include a panEuropean electronic network to make it easier to target persistent offenders, with road traffic offences in any member state being recorded throughout the EU. There will be a new cabotage regime: international operators delivering to anothertnemberstate will be restricted to three domestic operations within seven days, "The proposal is designed to prevent operators running empty into another member state looking for work," says Joan Williams, head of freight policy and enforcement at the Freight Transport Association (FTA).
"We said this could be a good model for the rest of Europe."
The proposed regulations have not yet gone before the European Parliament but Williams says there is the "political will" to push them through.
• See feature, page 36.