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Transport and Communications Agency

Apply for a railway undertaking's single safety certificate

You need a safety certificate if you intend to operate on the Finnish railway network. Apply for a safety certificate or renew your existing certificate through the One-Stop Shop (OSS).

To obtain a single safety certificate, an railway undertaking must meet the following requirements:

  • have a safety management system that meets the applicable requirements
  • comply with the safety regulations and rules applicable to railway operations
  • have adequate liability insurance for its operations

How to apply

  1. Step 1

    Familiarise yourself with the requirements for railway undertakings

    Read Regulation (EU) 2018/763 on issuing single safety certificates and the instructions and guidance on applying for a safety certificate.

  2. Step 2

    Establish a safety management system

    Develop and implement a documented safety management system that meets the applicable requirements.

  3. Step 3

    Choose ERA or Traficom as your safety certification body

    • If you intend to operate in more than one EU Member State, the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) will issue your certificate.
    • If you intend to operate only in Finland, you can choose either Traficom or ERA as your safety certification body.
    • The application process is the same in both cases, and Traficom always assesses the national part of the safety certificate application.
  4. Step 4

    Submit your application through the One-Stop Shop (OSS)

    Submit your safety certificate application and supporting documents through the One-Stop Shop (OSS). The system gives you access to all information and documents relating to your application. Each applicant can only view information relating to their own applications.

    You can also choose to use the pre-engagement procedure before submitting your application. This procedure helps you understand what is expected of you during the application process. Pre-engagement is optional.

    You can submit your application in Finnish, Swedish or English, regardless of whether you apply to Traficom or ERA.

  5. Step 5

    Application processing

    Traficom or ERA will process your application in the OSS, depending on which authority you have chosen. The process consists of two stages: initial screen and detailed assessment. The person processing your application will request additional information through the OSS if necessary during the different stages of the process.

  6. Step 6

    Decision on issuing the safety certificate

    The decision on your safety certificate application will be recorded in the One-Stop Shop (OSS). Details of the granted safety certificate will also be recorded in ERA's European Railway Agency Database of Interoperability and Safety (ERADIS).

    Traficom can issue its decision in Finnish or Swedish and also in English if the decision is issued abroad or to a foreign applicant.

Processing time for a safety certificate

The processing time for a safety certificate application is approximately five months. The processing time depends on how complete your application is when you submit it.

Safety certificate fee

Traficom charges a fee for processing safety certificate applications, including the pre-engagement stage, in accordance with the decree of the Ministry of Transport and Communications on fees charged by Traficom in force at the time. 

ERA charges a fee for processing safety certificate applications in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/764. 

If you also act as an entity in charge of maintenance (ECM)

If you also act as an entity in charge of maintenance (ECM), notify the authority of this in your safety certificate application if you maintain: 

  • vehicles other than freight wagons exclusively for your own operations
  • vehicles used exclusively for museum train traffic or shunting operations

In these cases, the entity in charge of maintenance does not need ECM certification. Compliance with the requirements of the ECM Regulation will be assessed as part of the safety certificate application process.

Railway undertakings in Finland

You can find details of all valid single safety certificates in the ERADIS database. Select Finland from the menu.

See also

Tavarajuna, jossa on kaksi veturia ja useita vaunuja, joissa puutavaraa. Lisäksi näkyy vaihde ja kolme raidetta ja sähköradan rakenteita.

Requirements for railway operations

You also need other licences and authorisations before starting railway operations.

Read more about the requirements for railway operations
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