EU unveils reform package of road transport market

The European Commission adopted three proposals on Wednesday to integrate the European Union's road transport market and ensure high-quality operation.

"To enable the internal market to operate properly, our rules need to be clear, they must be uniform and they must be applied by all transport operators in all member states." said the Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot, who is in charge of transport.

The proposals provide for compulsory training for transport managers, an enforceable definition of cabotage which can be carried out within a member state, and mechanisms for imposing sanctions across the national borders.

The proposed regulations will reduce distortions of competition and improve transport operators' compliance with the provisions of social legislation and road safety rules, the EU's executive arm said in a statement.

For example, to ensure fair competition, companies must have an office and an operating center, to eliminate the phenomenon of " letterbox companies," according to the proposals.

Any company wishing to gain admission to the occupation of transport operator will in future have to employ a transport manager who can provide proof of professional competence, and transport operators must not have been convicted of serious offences, as defined uniformly throughout the EU.

Cabotage, which refers to freight transport within a member state by a haulier established in another member state under the proposed legislation, will be authorized if it follows on from an international transport operation. Cabotage must be limited to no more than three operations to be carried out within seven days.

The proposals, which need to be approved by member states and the European Parliament, also require members to enforce the rules limiting working time strictly.

Source: Xinhua