National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs)
Updated 22 March 2022
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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Thirteen National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs) have been published by the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to regulation 3B of the Railways Interoperability Regulations 2011 and have effect from 1 January 2021. They are applicable in Great Britain (GB) only.
The EU Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) continue to have direct effect in Northern Ireland.
These NTSNs set standards to be complied with in relation to the design, construction, placing in service, upgrading, renewal, operation and maintenance of the parts of the rail system, as well as the professional qualifications and health and safety conditions of the staff who contribute to its operation and maintenance.
Of the 13 NTSNs, 11 will replace and substantially reproduce the TSIs for GB, as they had effect immediately prior to 1 January 2021.
They are:
- Safety in Railway Tunnels (SRT)
- Control Command and Signalling (CCS)
- Operation and Traffic Management (OPE)
- Infrastructure (INF)
- Energy (ENE)
- Rolling Stock – Locomotive and Passenger (LOC and PAS)
- Rolling Stock – Noise (NOI)
- Rolling Stock – Freight Wagons (WAG)
- Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM)
- Telematics Applications for Passenger Services (TAP)
- Telematics Applications for Freight (TAF)
The Modules NTSN replaces and substantially reproduces requirements within Commission Decision 2010/713/EU of 9 November 2010 on modules for the procedures for assessment of conformity, suitability for use and EC verification to be used in the technical specifications for interoperability.
The NTSN concerning the assessment of interoperability constituents against UK-specific cases, including the further assessment of interoperability constituents which hold an EC declaration of conformity or suitability for use, sets out the procedure that must be followed in accordance with regulation 24(1) and (2) of the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011.
The Department for Transport (DfT) worked with Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) to create the National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs). Track change versions show how the NTSNs differ from the corresponding TSIs.