Thomas Schöpf, Chief Sales Officer of Plasser & Theurer, made a plea for uniform approval conditions in Europe at the annual kick-off event of the German Transport Forum DVF on 13th January 2025. Schöpf argued that national approval criteria, which supplement or replace the Europe-wide technical specifications for interoperability (TSI), prevent a uniform market. He emphasized that national requirements would make the introduction of new technologies, such as the European Train Control System (ETCS), commercially unviable due to the small batch sizes. He also spoke out in favour of a general work permit for construction machinery in the closed track in order to facilitate construction activities, which in his opinion could be implemented throughout Europe.
