Comparative Review of Product Approval Processes in European Rail Infrastructure Organisations

Description

The objective of this project is to review and compare how selected European rail infrastructure managers manage the approval of new products, components, and technologies for use on their networks. The project will assess the governance, efficiency, safety assurance, responsiveness to innovation, and overall burden on suppliers, with the aim of identifying best practices and lessons that the ORR can use to inform oversight of Network Rail's product approval regime and regulatory expectations. The outcomes will directly support ORR's preparation for PR28 by informing its ability to assess Network Rail's CP8 plans, scrutinise claimed innovation pathways, and assess how barriers to supplier entry are being addressed.