Safe, Sustainable, and Efficient Road Transport
Transport by road plays a central role in Europe's mobility and economy. It encompasses a wide range of elements: the vehicles themselves, their components and maintenance, road infrastructure, and refueling systems.
Ensuring safe, sustainable, and efficient road transport requires the seamless integration of all these dimensions.
European standards, developed by CEN and CENELEC, provide essential support to manufacturers, infrastructure developers, and service providers in designing and delivering high-quality, reliable products and services.
CEN and CENELEC’s Work in Road Transport
CEN and CENELEC develop European standards that cover a broad scope, including road equipment, vehicle systems and applications, and the infrastructure for alternative fuels.
Road Equipment
A safe and efficient road network depends on robust, standardized equipment.
CEN and CENELEC develop standards for:
- Safety fences and barriers
- Traffic signs and road markings
- Traffic lights
- Noise protection devices
These standards help ensure road users benefit from consistent and reliable safety and information systems across Europe.
Road Operation Equipment and Products
Maintaining road safety also involves the proper functioning of support and maintenance equipment.
CEN and CENELEC develop standards for:
- Winter maintenance equipment
- Road and motorway service equipment
- Maintenance tools used on airbases
- Testing and performance assessment of such equipment
These standards ensure the effectiveness and safety of maintenance activities in diverse operating conditions.
Road Vehicles
Standards related to road vehicles focus on five key areas:
- Safety of roller brake testers
- Safety of machines used for mounting and demounting vehicle tyres
- Access to vehicle repair and maintenance information
- Supplementary grip devices (e.g. snow chains)
- Batteries for electric vehicles
- Recycling of plastics used in vehicles
These standards contribute to vehicle safety, environmental performance, and serviceability across the EU.
Alternative Fuels Infrastructure
To support the EU’s goals for clean mobility, CEN and CENELEC develop standards for alternative fuels infrastructure, including electricity, hydrogen, and natural gas.
These standards ensure:
- Interoperability across vehicle types and brands
- Compatibility with various refuelling and recharging stations
- Compliance with EU legislation on sustainable transport
Thanks to these efforts, both light and heavy-duty vehicles can refuel or recharge seamlessly anywhere in the EU.
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