Threads / Rail Regulation and Performance Standards / Rail technical standards common framework
Policy Paper Published 26 Feb 2026 Department for Transport ↗ View on GOV.UK

Rail technical standards common framework

Explains how the UK government and devolved governments propose to work together on rail technical standards.

Attachments
▤ Verbatim text from source document

The common framework for rail technical standards sets out proposed ways of working for:

  • rail interoperability on technical standards
  • authorisations regime for new, upgraded and renewed rail infrastructure and vehicles 

It is intended to guide the actions of policy officials as they develop related policies. 

The framework has been jointly developed by the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive and cleared by portfolio ministers in both administrations. It supersedes the previous provisional framework document.