Environment
Noise
Objective
Noise pollution is one of the most widespread public health threats in industrialised countries and the second largest environmental cause of health problems in the EU, impacting the railway sector and rail operations. The EU is taking several actions on noise exposure, one of which is reducing noise emissions from rail freight.
Regulation (EU) 1304/2014 on the Technical Specification for Interoperability related to Rolling stock – Noise (NOI TSI) establishes the framework for noise emitted by rolling stock (locomotives and passenger and freight wagons).
EIM in action
- EIM advocates the importance of speeding up the process for freight wagons to become quieter, as well as the importance of available, cost-efficient noise reduction solutions in order to prevent a modal shift from rail to other transport modes;
- EIM contributes to the dissemination of the information and activities related to the quieter routes, which are published in the RINF.
- EIM encourages that noise limits are introduced for parked trains since these are a major source of train operations in city areas that cause complaints from civilians.
EIM actions in 2025
- EIM’s WG “NOI” (Noise) has been sharing experiences in relation to the list of quieter routes;
- EIM’s WG “NOI” has contributed to the technical opinion on the reporting of the information for quieter routes. The EC followed EIM’s recommendations (the information will have to be provided exclusively through RINF and no longer with the Noise template).
- EIM’s Nordic IM members continued working with the task force on the assessment of the composite brake blocks towards an exemption to be taken based on the composite brake blocks (CBBs) performance in the Nordic countries.
- EIM’s WG “NOI” has contributed to the ERA’s Topical Working Group on Parking Noise
Outlook 2026
- EIM participates actively in the Topical Working Group Noise which is aimed at addressing noise emissions of parked trains (e.g. trains that have systems running to heat or cool trains before starting their shift).
- Quieter routes have come into force at the end of 2024. EIM’s WG “NOI” will share their experiences on activities related to its effectiveness and how it is enforced by NSAs.
Application Guide
Substances
Objective
Within the context of the European Green Deal, the European Commission (EC) launched several initiatives to regulate the use of certain substances, such as Glyphosate, F-gases and PFAS.
Several of these substances are used by Rail Infrastructure Managers (IMs) in their activities: Glyphosate for track maintenance, Fluorinated gases (F-gases) in switch gears and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various other applications.
- The EC adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2364 to extend the permitted period of use of glyphosate until 15th December 2023. On 28th November 2023, the EC adopted its Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2660 renewing the approval of glyphosate for a period of 10 years (i.e. until 15 December 2033).
- On 5th April 2022, the EC published its proposal to revise the Regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases with the aim to phase out these man-made gases. In February 2024, the co-legislators (European Parliament and Council of the EU) adopted amendments to its legislation on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases), reducing the scope of the mandatory phase-out based on data and available alternatives to F-gases. The text entered into force in January 2025 (Articles 12-17) and in March 2025 (Articles 20 and 23).
- In February 2023, the EU Chemical Agency (ECHA) published a proposal to restrict the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by 2026 or 2027, with some use-specific and time-limited derogations. The ultimate aim remains to phase out PFAS by 2039. Following a public consultation in September 2023, ECHA’s committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) have been reviewing the feedback. Their final opinions, initially expected in 2024, are now anticipated in the second half of 2025, after which the EC and the Member States will deliberate on the adoption and scope of the restriction.
The members of EIM are actively engaged in finding alternatives to these substances and minimising their use as quickly as possible, without jeopardising the safety of the railway system.
EIM in action
- EIM advocates extensive research into alternative products to glyphosate by participating in various research platforms.
- EIM continues to monitor the evolution related to substances on EU and national level.
- EIM continues to flag any relevant issues to its WG “EGD”.
EIM actions in 2025
- EIM attended all relevant meetings on EU level, including those involving the social partners.
- EIM closely followed the development and implementation of all initiatives.
- EIM informed the WG “EGD” about legislative developments including on the Chemicals Industry package and other initiatives affecting the use of chemicals in high-voltage switchgears and herbicides.
Outlook 2026
- ECHA is expected to continue examining the results of the public consultation and potentially deliver its final opinion to the EC in the first half of 2026.
- EIM will continue to follow all relevant EU initiatives regarding substances used by the rail sector.
Implementing Regulation 2022/2364 on the extension of the approval period of glyphosate
Regulation (EU) 2024/573 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 February 2024 on fluorinated greenhouse gases
European Green Deal (EGD)
Objective
The European Green Deal (EGD) was presented in December 2019 by the EU Commission. The EGD aims at boosting the competitiveness of European industry, establishing a circular economy, eliminating pollution, and safeguarding biodiversity. The overall objective is to make the European Union carbon-neutral by 2050 across all sectors, including transport.
To achieve this, the Fit for 55 package, introduced in July 2021, includes 13 legislative proposals to cut emissions by 55% by 2030.
The EGD, notably the part on sustainable transport, has a major impact on the upcoming revision or development of EU legislation relevant for rail infrastructure managers, such as TEN-T, Rail Freight Corridors, funding and financing, rail capacity management, national rules, bottlenecks, etc.
As of the end of 2025, 22 proposals under the EGD have been adopted.
In February 2025, the EU Commission (EC) presented a Clean Industrial Deal, which consists of a strategic extension of the EGD, aiming at strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness while accelerating the green transition.
EIM in action
- EIM welcomes the political objectives of the EGD and the related sustainable and smart mobility strategy.
- EIM advocates a better level playing field with other transport modes and to increase the CEF funding for rail.
- EIM updates the members on the possible impact of each initiative.
EIM actions in 2025
- EIM closely followed the legislative developments on the EU Green Deal.
- EIM consulted its Working Group “EGD” set up in 2021 and exchanged with the experts.
- EIM also coordinated its activities with other organisations (CER, UNIFE, ALLRAIL).
Outlook 2026
- EIM will continue to follow all relevant EU initiatives related to the implementation of the EGD.
- EIM will closely monitor the legislative initiatives under the Clean Industrial Deal.
- EIM will consult its members and its WG “EGD” when relevant.
- EIM will continue its collaboration with the sector to promote rail as the greenest mode of transport.