Regulatory Body (RB)

Each Member State shall establish a single national regulatory body for the railway sector. This body shall be a stand-alone authority which is, in organisational, functional, hierarchical and decision-making terms, legally distinct and independent from any other public or private entity. It shall also be independent in its organisation, funding decisions, legal structure and decision making from any infrastructure manager, charging body, allocation body or applicant. It shall furthermore be functionally independent from any competent authority involved in the award of a public service contract. A Regulatory Body is an independent national authority responsible for overseeing the railway sector. It ensures fair competition, monitors compliance with regulations, and operates autonomously from governments, railway operators, and other entities. Its decisions must be free from external influence, and its leadership must be appointed transparently and act without conflicts of interest.