Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission

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IGC decisions

In applying the texts in force, and in particular the binational safety regulation of 24 January 2007 amended 6 February 2013 the IGC has taken the following decisions.

Safety authorisation of the infrastructure manager

The IGC renewed the safety authorisation of the infrastructure manager, Eurotunnel, on 28 March 2019 for a period of 5 years.

Part B certification of railway undertakings

By a decision taken on 29 June 2010, the following railway undertaking holds Part B certification for freight transport services :

  • Europorte (valid until 28 October 2012)

By a decision taken on 21 March 2022, the following railway undertaking holds Part B certification for passenger transport services

  • Eurostar International Ltd (valid until 14 March 2027)

By a decision taken on 14 March 2022, the following railway undertaking holds Part B certification valid until 16 March 2027 for freight transport services :

  • DB Cargo Rail (UK) Ltd

By decision taken on 31 July 2023 the following railway company has Part B certification for the Channel Tunnel:

  • GB Railfreight (valid until 26 July 2028)

Authorisation to place commercial rolling stock into service.

  • Modalohr NA (by decision of 14 November 2011)
  • Wagons Sdggmrs(s), Sggmrs(s) and Sgns(s) (by decision of 4 October 2012)
  • Touax container wagons (by decision of 3 July 2015)
  • Wagons Astra Rail (by decision of 13 November 2015)
  • Siemens Velaro e320 trains for Eurostar (by decision of 19 November 2015)
  • Wascosa T3000e Sdggmrss wagons (by decision of 26 October 2017)
  • Waggonbau Niesky Laaers Variante ARS (560)wagons (by decision of 22 September 2020)
  • ARS Altmann AG Laaers 5.850 wagons (by decision of 26 February 2021)
  • Eurotunnel to bring new ELH-WBN freight wagons into service (by decision of 9 August 2022)
  • MFD to allow Kolowag Sdggmrss wagons to use the Channel Tunnel[ (by decision of 17 October 2022)
  • Eurotunnel to bring Shuttle 48/49 into service (by decision of 20 October 2022)
  • Tatravagonka’s to use Laae(ff)rs 561 wagons in the UK half of the Channel Tunnel (by decision of 18 November 2022)

Requirement for second train driver on passenger trains

On 3 June 2014, the IGC wrote to Eurotunnel and Eurostar to inform them that it had decided to modify the current rule relating to the driving competence of the second train manager (TM2) on board high speed passenger trains.

The existing rule requiring that a second train crew member is competent to drive the train in the event of an emergency has been removed, and new rules related to the procedure for swiftly reversing passenger trains created. Eurotunnel has been invited to make the consequential amendments to the relevant documents.

Further to Eurotunnel’s response the IGC wrote on the 1st July 2014 to clarify the situation with regards to the change of procedure and the need for Eurotunnel to make the necessary changes to its documents.

In addition, the IGC has made further recommendations relating to operational procedures and invited Eurotunnel and Eurostar to inform it at the earliest opportunity of the measures that will be put in place to ensure compliance with the new requirements.

On the 17 February 2017, the IGC issued an authorisation to Eurotunnel to operate carrier and loader wagons in the Channel Tunnel.

Authorisation of the upgrade to install GSM-R voice communication Cab Mobile to Eurotunnel Brush & Krupp locomotives.

On the 20 February 2019, the IGC issued an authorisation to Eurotunnel for the placing into service and operation of the two GSM-R Cab Mobile systems.

On the 24 February 2022, the IGC issued an amendment to Eurotunnel’s Safety Authorisation for the UK half of the Channel Fixed link to incorporate the installation of the Eleclink interconnector.