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Apply for recognition as an ECM certification body (ECMZ)

If your company is active in the railroad sector and would like to work as a so-called ECM certification body (ECMZ), it requires corresponding recognition from the Federal Railway Authority (EBA).

Online services & Forms

Online services

  • e-Service-Portal des Eisenbahn-Bundesamts
    Das e-Service-Portal des Eisenbahn-Bundesamts bietet Ihnen nach erfolgreicher Registrierung die Möglichkeit, Anträge online einzureichen. Wird Ihnen ein bestimmter Antrag noch nicht angezeigt, können Sie diesen gegebenenfalls freischalten lassen.

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53175 Bonn

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Postfach 200565

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Procedure details

Do you want to certification body in the rail sector? Then you must be recognized by the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) as an ECM certification body (ECMZ). In your application, you can also limit yourself to a selection of vehicle categories and maintenance functions.

ECM certification bodies are conformity assessment bodies. An ECM certification body (ECMZ) certifies a body or bodies responsible for the maintenance of vehicles.

ECM certification bodies (ECMZ)

ECMZs issue maintenance center certificates. As an ECMZ, you certify other bodies that are responsible for the maintenance of railroad vehicles. These include, for example

  • the railroads,
  • keepers of railroad vehicles and
  • contractually commissioned third parties.

The tasks involved in certification include evaluation, assessment and certification decisions. The tests relate to the following maintenance activities to be certified, among others:

Vehicle categories:

  • Freight wagons and wagons specifically for the transportation of dangerous goods,
  • Locomotives, multiple units, high-speed vehicles, driving trailers,
  • ancillary vehicles and
  • passenger coaches.

Maintenance functions:

  • Maintenance development,
  • fleet maintenance management and
  • maintenance provision.

ECMZ recognition

Recognition as an ECMZ is valid for a maximum of 5 years. You can extend it for a further 5 years. Your recognition as an ECMZ is reported by the EBA to the European Railway Agency (ERA) and published in the database of the European Union Agency for Railway Interoperability and Safety (ERADIS).

Recognized ECM certification bodies are regularly monitored by the EBA.

To be recognized as an ECMZ, you must

  • be based in the Federal Republic of Germany,
  • have the number of employees with specialist knowledge and sufficient relevant experience specified in European law,
  • have the relevant descriptions of procedures according to which the conformity assessment is carried out in order to ensure transparency and the possibility of applying these procedures.
  • have appropriate policies and procedures in place that distinguish between the tasks you carry out as a conformity assessment body and other activities.
  • have appropriate procedures for carrying out your activities. The procedures shall take into account
    • the size of your company
    • the sector in which you operate,
    • your company structure, and
    • the degree of complexity of the product technology in question.
  • Have the necessary resources to carry out the technical and administrative tasks associated with conformity assessment in an appropriate manner. In addition, you must have access to all necessary equipment or facilities.
  • Have liability insurance for personal injury, property damage and financial loss, which must have a minimum sum insured of EUR 2.5 million for each insured event and at least double cover for the entire year.
  • be impartial, which means
    • that the ECM certification body must be organizationally and functionally independent in its decision-making from railroad undertakings, infrastructure managers, keepers, manufacturers and entities in charge of maintenance and must not provide similar services.
    • if you and the organization or manufacturer belong to the same trade or professional association:
      • there must be no conflicts of interest.
    • The requirements for independence in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065 Chapter 4.2 apply to ECMZs.

  • Required Documents
    • a description of
      • your activities as a certification body and
      • your procedures as part of the certification process
    • completed form "F10c" - checklist according to EN ISO/IEC 17065 and sectoral scheme.
    • In addition to application form F09c: Form "F09c1" - Professional competence with regard to the maintenance activities to be certified
    • current certificate of accreditation according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065, if applicable
    • If applicable, current certificate of certification according to ISO 9001
    • Proof of EBA-approved expert status, if applicable
    • Other proof of competence

You can apply online for recognition as an ECM certification body (ECMZ). If required, you can arrange a free information meeting with the EBA before submitting your application.

If you wish to apply for recognition as an ECMZ, the following steps are necessary:

  • Download the application forms F09c, F09c1 and F10c from the website of the Federal Railway Authority and complete them in full.
  • Call up the EBA's e-Service portal.
  • Log in with your user data.
    • If you do not yet have a user account for the e-Service portal, you must register once.
  • Select the procedure and the type of job.
  • The application wizard will guide you step by step through the required information.
  • Upload the required documents as a file and submit the application,
    • Supported file formats: PDF, DOCX, DOC, XLSX, XLS, maximum 30 megabytes per file.
  • You will receive an automated confirmation of receipt by e-mail when the application has been received.
  • If necessary, the EBA will ask you to submit further documents by e-mail.
  • The EBA will confirm the completeness and verifiability of your application for recognition and will put together an assessment team.
  • Once the content has been checked, you will receive a list of assessment questions to answer.
  • Submit the answered assessment questionnaire as a follow-up submission via the e-Service.
  • The EBA will check the content of the documents you have submitted.
  • If the results of the review are insufficient, the EBA will carry out an on-site assessment with you.
  • Once the assessment has been completed, the assessment team submits an assessment report to the recognition committee and makes a proposal regarding recognition.
  • The recognition body at the EBA decides on recognition. If recognition is granted, the EBA will send you the draft certificate of recognition, including the annex, and ask you to submit a statement on it within 2 weeks.
  • If you do not submit a statement or if the certificate of recognition has been agreed between the EBA and you as a result of the statement, the EBA will finalize the notice of recognition and the certificate and send them to you by post together with the assessment report.
  • You will also receive a notification of costs by post. Pay the fees.

The fees you have to pay are based on the time required to process your application:

  • Hourly rate: EUR 120.00
  • for every quarter of an hour or part thereof: EUR 30.00

Recognition is valid for a maximum of 5 years and can be extended for a further 5 years.

6 bis 24 Monate

There are no indications or special features.

  • Contradiction
    • Detailed information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification.
  • Appeal to the administrative court

Status: 03.11.2024
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium für Verkehr
Source: Federal Portal