05-10-09 Celebration - 10th Anniversary of Euro Controle Route
Saarbrucken, a town on the Franco-German border, will see representatives of road transport enforcement authorities from across Europe celebrate the 10th anniversary of Euro Controle Route (ECR) on the 6th and 7th October 2009.
The European Commission have taken advantage of this opportunity by organising a conference to coincide with the 10th anniversary, which will see representatives ranging from Directors to Examiners working side by side for two days.
The conference will include a roadside check and interactive workshops, with the emphasis being placed on cargo securing and roadside technical checks. VOSA have been invited to speak on the subject of technical checks, an area in which many countries recognise VOSA’s expertise.
A great deal of work has been undertaken since ECR was created in 1999. ECR now boasts fourteen member states, bound by an Administrative Arrangement signed by the Transport Ministers from each country, and six observers. The ultimate objective of ECR continues to be the improvement of safety on European roads by harmonisation.
VOSA continues to take the lead in Europe in many ways. We hosted the pilot European enforcement conference at a management level in September 2008. The pilot was successful, and Euro Controle Route has confirmed that they will continue to support this type of work. Managers will have the chance to take part in a similar conference in the Netherlands later this year.
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Notes for editors:
Euro Controle Route (ECR) has expanded significantly in recent years, and today has 14 members and 6 observers. All of them see the importance of multilateral contacts and joint action against those engaging in fraud, unsafe vehicles and risk companies. Over the years Euro Controle Route has acquired a much higher public profile. Since 1999 the number of members has grown steadily and European countries have expressed their interest.
Euro Controle Route also welcomes active and passive observers. The active observers are countries which have requested to become members of ECR. They can participate can participate in ECR activities, without however being able to hold the presidency. An active observer becomes a member when the amendment to the Administrative Arrangement is signed by the minister of the acceding country and by the ministers of the member countries.
A passive observer is a country which wishes, before making a decision, to learn more
about ECR by participating in its activity, and this status may be maintained for a maximum period of one year.
The 14 member states are:
The members are Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Poland, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and Hungary. They have all been members since at least 2007.
Active observer:
Lithuania
Passive Observers:
Slovenia, Czech Republic, Malta, Switzerland, Latvia
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:
• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
• Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
• Providing training and advice for commercial operators
• Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls.
For media inquiries about VOSA, please contact: Zita Easton on 0117 954 2561 or e-mail press@vosa.gov.uk
Page last updated: 06/10/2009