Swiss Transport Office Ordered to Revise Rail Freight Safety Measures After Court Ruling

Switzerland's Federal Administrative Court has invalidated new safety regulations for rail freight, citing their conflict with binding European technical standards. The ruling forces the Federal Office of Transport (OFT) to reconsider its approach following a cargo train derailment in the Gotthard Base Tunnel in August 2023.

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The rules enacted after the derailment in the Gotthard tunnel violated the binding European technical specifications for Switzerland.

The OFT had implemented stricter safety measures in response to the accident, which was caused by a wheel failure. These measures included a minimum wheel diameter of 864 millimeters for certain axles and mileage-based inspections for wagons. However, several European railway companies challenged these rules, arguing they were disproportionate and economically unviable.

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The Federal Administrative Court has annulled the tightening of safety measures for the transport of goods by rail, following the accident that occurred in 2023 in the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

The court agreed with the complainants, which included wagon owners and maintenance firms. It found that the OFT had deviated too significantly from harmonized European norms. The case now returns to the OFT, which must develop a new strategy that aligns with international standards while addressing rail freight safety concerns.

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The Federal Office of Transport, which deviated too far from harmonized European standards, must revise its work.