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ERA and EASA sign a Memorandum of Cooperation promoting Inter-Agency cooperation

Published: 21 November 2022

Josef Doppelbauer, Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), and Patrick Ky, Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), signed today a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to further develop exchange of know-how and find synergies in using similar systems, platforms and methodologies.

Press release

The MoC promotes inter-Agency cooperation and establishes a regular structured dialogue between the Agencies, enhancing sharing of information, knowledge and experience in the domains of aviation and railway safety, environmental protection and related regulatory, as well as scientific or innovation developments. 

Core areas of cooperation refer to three essential domains: 

  1. European Co-ordination centre for Accident and Incident Reporting Systems (ECCAIRS): EASA and ERA share a common interest in sharing knowledge and experience on collecting and analyzing safety occurrences, with a view in particular to assisting ERA in the development of the Information Sharing System (ISS) based on the EASA experiences with ECCAIRS (E2) in the aviation sector;
  2. Big data: With the aim of supporting the overall objective of the digital transformation of the transport and mobility sector, EASA and ERA will share and further develop knowledge related to the creation of Mobility Data Spaces that should provide further structure for data sharing in transport;
  3. Sustainability: Provide joint technical expertise, exchange on best practices related to the development of an environmental report.

“We welcome the opportunity to work closely with our EASA colleagues, ensuring best possible use of existing resources, while avoiding duplicative effort”, said Josef Doppelbauer, adding that “in the current context it is essential for EU Transport Agencies to strengthen their cooperation, considering our common responsibility for sustainability, and the importance of increasing the share of multimodal transport.”

This Memorandum of Cooperation does not modify or supersede any European Union law or any national laws nor does it affect any provisions under other multilateral or bilateral agreements in force and applicable to the Parties.

Background information

About EASA: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is the centrepiece of the European Union's strategy for aviation safety. Our mission is to promote and achieve the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation. Based in Cologne, the Agency employs experts and administrators from all over Europe.

For more information, please contact: Janet Northcote, Head of Communication, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Email: communications@easa.europa.eu

About the EU Agency for Railways: The European Union Agency for Railways was established in Valenciennes  in 2004, and has 188 employees representing more than 22 European Member States. 

ERA has been providing EU Member States and the European Commission with technical assistance in the development and implementation of the Single European Railway Area. This comprises enhancing technical interoperability and harmonising rules, promoting simplified access for customers, developing a common approach to safety and safety culture, advising on telematics applications and ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), monitoring National Safety Authorities and Notified Bodies and facilitating the exchange of information between the railway actors in Europe. 

Since 16th June 2019 the EU Agency for Railways is mandated to issue single safety certificates and vehicle (type) authorisations valid in multiple European countries and to ensure an interoperable European Rail Traffic Management System.

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ERA and EASA sign a Memorandum of Cooperation promoting Inter-Agency cooperation

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