Railway assessment body (AsBo)

The European Union (EU) regulates risk management for changes applied to railway systems to ensure railway safety. The European Commission Common Safety Method on Risk Evaluation and Assessment Regulation 402/2013 (CSM RA), as amended by Regulation 2015/1136, is mandatory for the evaluation and assessment of risks associated with significant technical, operational and organisational changes to railways.

A railway assessment body (AsBo) is a competent, independent body that inspects the risk management process and risk assessment results to determine compliance with the CSM RA. TÜV SÜD is an accredited AsBo that can carry out independent assessment of your risk management process and its results, including the safety demonstration of the subject being addressed.

The CSM RA defines a common approach for compliance with the safety goals and requirements of the railway system among EU member states. Compliance with CSM RA gives confidence that the system under assessment delivers the required level of safety.

To ensure effective and harmonised railway systems, EU railway safety directives focus on the construction of an interoperable and safe railway system. This includes Directive (EU) 2016/798 for railway safety and Directive (EU) 2016/797 for railway interoperability. These railway safety directives also define the three distinct authorisation process pillars for railway subsystems.

Alongside the notified body (NoBo) and the designated body (DeBo), the AsBo represents the third railway assessment body pillar across the authorisation process. The assessment of compliance with the risk management process, as defined in Annex I of the CSM RA, by a recognised AsBo ensures the acceptance (mutual recognition) of the results in all EU member states and by any other stakeholder.

Whenever a significant and safety-relevant change is made to the railway system, a rail AsBo must be appointed to judge if the risk management process is suitable and the safety requirements are adequately identified, classified and evaluated.

The AsBo will also check that the residual risk is reduced to an acceptable level, and the system satisfies safety requirements. The results of this risk-based assessment are documented in a safety assessment report. This is evidence that the subsystem under consideration or change to a subsystem has been safely integrated into the railway system. It is an essential part of the applicant’s request for authorisation.

TÜV SÜD is internationally recognised for our extensive experience in the rail sector. We have over 50 years of experience working on global rail projects, collaborating with railway authorities and stakeholders worldwide.

We are accredited as a Notified Body (NoBo), Designated Body (DeBo), and Assessment Body (AsBo). Working with us gives you access to the combined knowledge of our global network of multidisciplinary experts.

Working with us allows you to have assessments carried out by one single partner. This means fewer coordination-intensive interfaces, minimising costs and optimising project times. Our services support you at every stage of your railway project, helping you avoid costly delays and maximising operational efficiencies.

Our experts support you along the entire railway subsystem development journey from project inception to final compliance assessment. This ensures a proactive process that saves time and minimises costs.

We are recognised as Assessment Body in the Netherlands, by the Eisenbahn-Bundesamt in Germany and by the Bundesamt für Verkehr in Switzerland.

TÜV SÜD performs safety assessments for many railway subsystems during the development process for the following:

• Assessment of the application of the risk management process for the respective subject being assessed.
• Assessment of the suitability of the results of the applied risk management process.

For the subsystem rolling stock additionally:

• Assessment of the requirements capture according to Article 13 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/545.

If you are preparing to place a fixed installation into service or are working towards authorisation for placing an entire vehicle on the market, we offer the full scope of AsBo services to confirm safe integration:

• Infrastructure
• Energy
• Trackside control-command and signalling
• On-board control-command and signalling

Risk management process assessment according to CSM RA for CCS subsystems and ICs, as required by the TSI CCS, and for Class B systems and components according to national requirements. We perform:

• Assessments of the correct application of the risk management process and its results.
• Safety assessments covering the essential safety requirements for subsystems and ICs.
• Assessment according to the CENELEC-standards (EN 50126, EN 50128, and EN 50129).
• Assessment of the requirements capture.

Assessment of the risk management process according to CSM RA for new vehicle types, changes to already authorised vehicle types, and extensions of area of use for all vehicle types – Multiple units, locomotives, road-rail vehicles or on track machines (OTM). We perform:

• Assessments of the correct application of the risk management process and its results.
• Safety assessments covering the potential modification of the overall safety level for the vehicle.
• Safety assessments covering the essential safety requirements for the subsystems of a vehicle and safe integration between subsystems.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/545 expanded the AsBo’s scope of work for rolling stock. Independent of the applicant’s decision on the significance of the change, an AsBo must be involved regarding the assessment of compliance with the essential requirements. This service is provided by TÜV SÜD: 

• Assessment of the requirements capture according to Article 13 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/545.

• Assessment of the maintenance management system with respect to Regulation (EU) 2019/779 conformity.
• Certification of the maintenance management system based on ECM Regulation (EU) 2019/779.
• Assessment of changed or newly created maintenance plans or maintenance procedures.
• Maintenance management systems and risk management training.

After successful assessment, TÜV SÜD provides you with a safety assessment report summarising the compliance with CSM RA requirements.