On 10th April 2024, the Swiss Federal Council adopted amendments to the railway act and brought new legislation into force. This allows Switzerland to participate in standardised European approval procedures for rail vehicles in international transport for an unlimited period of time. After Parliament approved the bill in the 2023 autumn session, the Federal Council has now brought the legal amendments into force with effect from 1st July 2024. In addition to the railway act, three ordinances were amended: the ordinance on the construction and operation of railways (EBV), the ordinance on the transport of goods by rail and shipping companies (GüTV) and the ordinance on the safety investigation of transport incidents (VSZV). For Switzerland to participate permanently and fully in the European procedures, the Swiss-EU land transport agreement would also have to be amended. Cooperation with the EU on authorisation procedures is currently being secured with a transitional solution. Switzerland's requirements regarding access for people with reduced mobility remain in place.
