Directive 2004/49/EC aims at developing a common European approach to railway safety, such as establishing safety requirements on the rail system, including safe management of infrastructure and traffic operation, roles and responsibilities of railway undertakings, common safety regulatory framework and independent investigation of accidents.
The Commission’s request in Hungary mainly concerns the independence of its national safety authority, the right of the national safety authority to request the technical assistance of infrastructure managers and railway undertakings, and the obligation of the national safety authority to report accidents to the investigating body, the European Commission noted.
The European directive should have been implemented by Hungary since 30 April 2006.
Infringement proceedings have been launched against two other EU countries, Estonia and Greece, who also failed to bring their national legislation in line with European rules.
Hungary, Estonia and Greece have two months to reply to the Commission request. If the countries do not comply with the request, the Commission may refer the matter to the EU Court of Justice.
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