Railway certification according to TSI and NNTR (NoBo, DeBo)

Railway certification ensures that vehicles, infrastructure, energy supply, signalling systems and interoperability constituents in the EU are conform with TSI (Technical Specifications for Interoperability) and additional NNTR (Notified National Technical Rules) requirements.

TSI specifications cover infrastructure, rolling stock, energy, control-command and signalling, operation and traffic management. NNTR apply when a TSI does not cover a particular technical aspect, or when an EU member state has its own additional requirements. TSI certification is done by Notified Bodies (NoBo’s), NNTR certification by Designated Bodies (DeBo’s), following the same basic assessment and certification rules. Railway certification according to TSI and NNTR requirements ensures that both European-wide standards and local requirements are met.

Railway certification, NoBo and DeBo services from TÜV SÜD help rolling stock manufacturers, suppliers, railway operating companies, and infrastructure managers gain approval from the relevant governing bodies. The certification involves a thorough assessment process to ensure safety and interoperability. In addition, our ISO 17025 accredited laboratories help you to manage a variety of tests efficiently.

The TSI and NNTR railway certification process enables efficient European rail network cross-border interoperability and maintains high safety standards. Conformity with TSI and NNTR is a legal requirement for the homologation, authorisation, and operation of rolling stock, signalling technology, infrastructure, and energy supplies. Conformity assessment and certification is also an essential part of retrofitting, refurbishment, and modification projects, even when authorisation is not a legal requirement.

The conformity assessment process involves rigorous testing and documentation reviews to confirm conformity to TSIs and NNTRs.

To understand the different approval requirements, and how they can be merged and consolidated, in-depth knowledge is required. The coordination and interpretation of these complex requirements among suppliers, operators, authorities and independent third parties (Notified Bodies, Designed Bodies, Assessment Bodies).

TÜV SÜD has provided technical services for over 150 years. We are globally accredited as an inspection, testing and certification body, and are recognised as NoBo, AsBo and DeBo for several countries. We conduct all our tests in laboratories accredited to the ISO 17025 standard and can meet your needs locally.

We support railway manufacturers, operators and authorities with a comprehensive portfolio of inspection, testing, certification, and training services. We have expertise in retrofit, refurbishment, modification, on-track machines (OTM), special vehicles and even road-rail vehicles.

Our interdisciplinary experts have a wealth of experience with railway conformity assessment. Many of our inspectors are also EBA (German Federal Railway Authority) authorised. They all have in-depth knowledge of the conformity assessment and authorisation processes and their challenges.

We are also at the forefront of regulations development as we are part of railway standards committees worldwide. This helps us to recognise and react to changes at an early stage, so we can actively inform you about upcoming amendments and if requirements change over the course of a project.