The European Commission has asked the Czech Republic to fully transpose EU rules on railway safety (Directive 2004/49/EC). These rules concern the supervision tasks of the investigating body and its obligation to start an investigation within specific time limits, communication of the final investigation report; addressing of the safety recommendations, their consideration and measures to be taken.
EU legislation should have been in place since April 2006. The Commission opened infringement proceedings against the Czech Republic on the matter in July 2014, and a reasoned opinion is now being sent. The Czech Republic has two months to reply to the Commission. If the Czech Republic fails to react satisfactorily, the Commission may refer the matter to the EU’s Court of Justice.
EU rail safety legislation aims at developing a common approach across Member States so that all EU rail networks demonstrate consistently high safety levels and EU citizens travel safely on them. It establishes safety requirements on the rail system, roles and responsibilities of railway undertakings and infrastructure managers, a common safety regulatory framework, common principles for management and supervision of railway safety, and independent investigation of accidents.
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