Independent Regulators' Group - Rail
Recent meetings
| Date | Commissioner / Cabinet | Topic | File |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03 Sept 2025 | Sandro Santamato Head of Unit | The aim of this meeting is to share views and priorities as preparatory work for the 2026 IRG-Rail’s Working Programme | — |
| 03 Sept 2025 | Sandro Santamato Head of Unit | The aim of this meeting is to share views and priorities as preparatory work for the 2026 IRG-Rail’s Working Programme | SRC |
| 26 May 2015 | Violeta Bulc Commissioner | Meeting representatives of IRG-Rail | — |
| 26 May 2015 | Violeta Bulc Commissioner | Meeting representatives of IRG-Rail | SRC |
Mission & Goals
The IRG-Rail is the "Independent Regulators’ Group – Rail”, a network currently comprising independent rail Regulatory Bodies from thirty-one European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, the Republic of North Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom). Foundation and Mission: On 9 June 2011 fifteen independent rail Regulatory Bodies signed the "Memorandum of Understanding” for the establishment of the Independent Regulators’ Group-Rail. Since then, 16 new members have adhered to IRG-Rail. The Group acts as a platform for cooperation, information exchange and sharing of best practice between national railway regulators. Objectives and Functions: The overall aim of IRG-Rail is to facilitate and promote the creation of a single, compet (...)
EU Legislative Interests
IRG-Rail has an interest in any EU market legislation that relates to the rail industry. Currently, among others, it is following the ECs proposal for a regulation on the use of railway infrastructure capacity in the single European railway area (COM(2023)443). Work is also being carried on charging and charging methodologies for the use of rail infrastructure and service facilities. Further areas of interest include access to infrastructure and services, regulation of rail freight corridors, collaborative market monitoring, multimodal approach and other EU legislative initiatives in land transport. Every year, IRG-Rail issues the Annual Market Monitoring Report which is published on the Group's website (the latest Report is available at the IRG-Rail homepage).
Communication Activities
Since its establishment in 2011, IRG-Rail has actively engaged in liaising with the Commission, MEPs, and European organisations representing specific aspects of the rail industry (e.g.: ALLRAIL, CER, EIM, EPTO, ERA, ERFA, FTE, RNE, UITP, UNIFE). IRG-Rail Plenary Assembly meetings are held twice a year. The Group’s position papers and reports covering aspects of rail market regulation are published on the Group’s website: http://www.irg-rail.eu/
Interests Represented
Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members
Organisation Members
https://www.irg-rail.eu/irg/about-irg-rail/members/5,Members-of-the-IRG-Rail.html
Connected Legislation
EC competition rules in maritime transport
Amendment: Air transport slot allocation (Reg 95/93/EEC)
Amendment: Airport slot allocation (Regulation (EEC) 95/93)
Safeguarding competition in air transport
Abolition of discrimination in transport rates and conditions
Development of EU railways
Airport capacity and ground handling efficiency
Air transport (EC & third countries): Repeal 3975/87, Amend 3976/87 & 1/2003
Air transport: protection against unfair pricing by non-EU countries