Expert mandates and expert opinions

Enotrac AG is a reliable partner for independent testing, evaluation and assessment in railway technology. This includes acting as an expert in projects involving safety-critical systems or components. Expert activities are carried out either by selected specialists from Enotrac AG or under the quality management of SCONRAIL AG, an accredited body.

Activities regulated at the European level, such as conformity assessments by BS/NoBo, BBS/DeBo and RBS/AsBo, as well as ECM accreditation, are provided exclusively by SCONRAIL AG.

Enotrac’s experts possess extensive expertise across a wide range of railway technologies – from rolling stock to safety and telematics systems, as well as energy supply, with a particular focus on safety-critical areas. As a result, our specialists can serve as independent experts in projects, supported by a comprehensive certificate of competence in accordance with the FOT directive RL UP-EB, across multiple disciplines.

Independent experts are required in authorisation procedures or type approvals with a high safety relevance, as well as in planning approval procedures (PIP) when the FOT mandates an independent assessment of the documentation. Enotrac is qualified to act as an independent expert in accordance with RL UP-EB in the following specialist areas:

Safety technology (safety systems and telematics applications)
Rolling stock
Electrical systems
Tunnel safety
Operations

Our assessments and the resulting test reports are tailored to the specific regulatory framework and requirements of each project. Enotrac’s experts are well-versed in current technologies, regulations, and standards, including provisions such as the Railway Technical Regulations (RTE) issued by the Swiss Association of Public Transport (VöV).

Example: Expert verification of data networks under RTE 28100

As digitalisation advances, the focus in railway technology is shifting from purely functional safety toward cyber security. This evolution brings with it new standards, guidelines, and regulations at both international and national levels.

To provide greater clarity in Switzerland regarding the verification process for approvals of data networks, VöV has published RTE 28100 (Verification Process for Data Networks). This regulation covers both functional safety and cyber security in railway data networks. Its development involved key stakeholders including the FOT (as the approving authority), as well as operators such as SBB, RBS, SOB, ZB, BLS, MGB, AB, and RhB.

The experts at Enotrac offer deep knowledge of safety systems, communication and network technology, and the RTE regulations themselves. They also have in-depth knowledge of the relevant referenced standards and guidelines on safety and security, including:

– FOT guidelines RL CySec-Rail (Cyber Security in Railways) and RL SA (Verification of Safety Systems)

– Standards EN 50126, EN 50129, EN 50159, EN IEC 62443 and CLC/TS 50701

Thanks to this multidisciplinary expertise, Enotrac can provide professional expert assessments for all process steps outlined in RTE 28100. Both safety and security aspects are evaluated professionally, based on the networked applications involved.

SCONRAIL AG is accredited as an inspection body in accordance with ISO 17020:2012 and as a certification body in accordance with ISO 17065:2012. In addition to these accreditations, SCONRAIL AG also conducts independent assessments, for example as an expert in accordance with RL UP-EB of the FOT, as an Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) for functional safety (SIL), as a Notified Body (BS/NoBo), as a Designated Body (BBS/DeBo) or as a Risk Assessment Body (RBS/AsBo). SCONRAIL AG is also accredited as a certification body for ECM (Entity in Charge of Maintenance) for railway vehicles and maintenance workshops.

SCONRAIL AG also carries out conformity assessments in the energy, rolling stock, and tunnel safety subsystems as an independent inspection body in accordance with European requirements. These assessments consider applicable EN standards, the Technical Specification for Interoperability (TSI) as well as national and international regulations and laws.

Thanks to active involvement in various standardisation and specialist committees, SCONRAIL AG’s experts stay up to date with current requirements and their practical interpretation.

Talk to our experts

Stefan Nydegger

Head of Energy Division

Member of the Board

Open letter: In memory of Stefan Nydegger
Tobias Schluer

Head of Assessment and Expert Opinion

Rolling Stock Division

tobias.schluer@enotrac.com +41 33 346 66 91
Jens Schulze

Head of RAMS Division

Member of the Board

jens.schulze@enotrac.com +41 33 346 66 30

Reference projects

Expert mandates for rolling stock

Rolling stock registration and modification follow a defined approval process. The Swiss Federal Office of Transport's (BAV) Railway Vehicle Approval Guideline sets out the requirements for verification.

Further services for Independent assessment

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Verification of safe integration into the overall system

Enotrac has built an excellent reputation in the rail industry. We specialise in the safe integration of components and subsystems into rail systems. Our focus is on reviewing and evaluating the Safety Related Application Conditions (SRACs) to ensure that they are clearly formulated and meet the highest safety standards.

Another important aspect of our work is compliance with the applicable standards and guidelines. We ensure that all regulations are met to guarantee the safe and legally compliant integration of components or subsystems into the overall system. We also review the necessary evidence, such as test reports, verification and validation reports, to ensure that the integrated components or subsystems function properly and do not pose any safety risks.

The safety of complete rail systems is Enotrac’s top priority. Our services help to minimise potential risks and ensure safe rail operations. This benefits passengers and employees alike, as they can rely on a safe and reliable rail journey.

Compliance with standards and guidelines

Verifying the safe integration of a component or subsystem into the overall system is a crucial step in ensuring the overall functionality, safety and reliability of a complex rail system. In this sensitive process, Enotrac carries out a thorough assessment to ensure that this critical step is carried out in strict accordance with all relevant standards and guidelines.

Our experts place the highest value on the seamless integration of a component or subsystem into the overall system. This is important to ensure that all system parts interact smoothly. It also allows us to ensure that the functionality of the rail system is guaranteed under all conditions and circumstances.

Monitoring compliance with standards and guidelines not only ensures the safety and reliability of the railway system, but also helps to avoid conflicts, malfunctions and failures. A careful assessment by Enotrac provides assurance that all components and subsystems are integrated into the overall system without problems and without compromise, and thus that the rail transport system can function smoothly.

Our engineers have the necessary expertise and experience to carry out the integration in accordance with the highest industry standards. This conscientious review and verification is an essential contribution to the safety and efficiency of the rail transport system and ensures that all safety and functionality requirements are met.

Safety-related application conditions (SRACs) and their importance

In safety-critical industries such as the railway industry, the precise formulation of the safety-related application conditions (SRACs) is of great importance. At Enotrac, we carefully review the SRACs and ensure that they are formulated clearly and precisely. This not only helps to avoid misunderstandings, but also ensures safety. SRACs are a key concept in RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety) engineering and safety assessments in the railway industry. They define the conditions under which a product or system must be operated safely in order to minimise potential risks. The CENELEC EN50129 standard defines these SRACs clearly and precisely.

The essential aspects of SRACs

SRACs define specific conditions under which a product or system must operate safely and reliably in order to minimise safety-related risks. These conditions are formulated extremely precisely and serve to define the safety requirements in clear and understandable terms. SRACs can be considered a kind of legal contract that defines responsibilities for the safe use of a product or system. They define the conditions under which a product can be used safely, and it is the user’s responsibility to ensure that these conditions are met. SRACs can cover various aspects, including conditions for the use of the product in a larger system, minimum requirements for installers, maintenance personnel or end users, and product restrictions that must be observed. The traceability of SRACs is crucial. This means that the SRACs must be fully understood by all relevant parties, and compliance with these conditions must be ensured throughout the entire life cycle of the product or system.

Reducing SRACs and collaboration

Collaboration between designers, manufacturers and end users is an effective approach to minimising the number of SRACs. It also helps to ensure that SRACs are clearly and precisely formulated, thus avoiding misunderstandings and maintaining safety. SRACs clarify the responsibilities of the various parties, including manufacturers, installers, maintenance personnel and end users, for the safety of the product or system.

The clear definition and communication of the SRACs are essential to ensure that products and systems can be operated safely and reliably. This is especially important in safety-critical industries such as the railway industry, where the lives and health of people are at stake. Compliance with the SRACs is an essential part of the safety effort in this industry.

Enotrac is fully committed to ensuring that all safety-related application conditions are formulated in a clear and precise manner to meet the most stringent safety standards.

Requirements traceability and proof verification

A critical phase is to ensure the traceability of the requirements. This ensures that the integrated component or subsystem meets all specified requirements and that there are no deviations. Equally important is the verification of the evidence required for safe integration. This includes test reports, verification and validation reports, and other relevant documentation to ensure that the component or subsystem is functioning properly and does not pose any safety risks. At Enotrac, we place a strong emphasis on ensuring that all steps in the integration process are carried out properly and safely.

The Importance of Safety in the Railway System

The safety of railway systems is of the utmost importance as it plays a critical role in the safe and reliable operation of the entire railway. A comprehensive understanding of the entire railway system, including its subsystems such as infrastructure, rolling stock and signalling, is essential.

Within the railway system, numerous subsystems are interconnected. These include rolling stock, rail networks, signalling technology and the entire infrastructure. To ensure the safety and reliability of rail traffic, all these components must work together seamlessly. It is therefore important to fully understand the interactions between these subsystems in order to enable incident-free rail traffic.

The railway industry is subject to strict regulations and safety standards. The integration of new technologies or systems into railway operations requires extensive approval procedures. Careful integration and compliance with all relevant requirements is essential to ensure legal compliance. This also facilitates the approval procedures and ensures legal certainty.

The early identification of safety issues in the overall system is also crucial. By identifying and addressing safety issues at an early stage, potential risks can be minimised. This helps to ensure that operations run smoothly and without incident. Safety issues that are identified late in the development or implementation process can cause significant delays and rework, resulting in enormous investments of time and money.

Thorough safety assessment and integration from the outset can prevent costly rework and result in significant savings in both time and cost. At Enotrac, we understand the central importance of safety in the overall rail system and use our expertise and experience to ensure that all components work together seamlessly and safely. This enables safe and efficient rail operations and minimises potential risks. Our commitment to safety is integral to the services we provide, and we work tirelessly to ensure the safety of rail operations.

Conclusion

Enotrac is a renowned company in the rail industry, offering comprehensive services in the field of planning, project management and assessment of rail systems. Enotrac plays a crucial role in the safe integration of components and subsystems into the overall railway system. This integration requires careful testing and verification to ensure that all relevant standards and guidelines are met.

A key aspect of this testing is the evaluation of the safety-related application conditions (SRACs). These conditions are essential to identify potential risks and ensure that the integration is safe and reliable. Enotrac reviews and evaluates the SRACs to ensure that they are clear and concise and that there is no room for misunderstanding. This is essential to ensure the highest safety standards in the rail industry.

Enotrac’s experts also ensure that all requirements and SRACs are fully and clearly traceable. This means that all relevant parties fully understand the requirements and that compliance with these conditions is ensured throughout the entire life cycle of the product or system.

Reviewing the evidence required for safe integration into the overall system is a key aspect of Enotrac’s review process. This includes test reports, verification and validation reports, and other relevant documentation. This review ensures that the integrated component or subsystem meets all specified requirements and functions properly without posing safety risks.

The safety of railway systems is a top priority, as it has a decisive influence on the safe and reliable operation of the entire railway. Through comprehensive testing and assessment of the integration of components and subsystems, Enotrac ensures that all standards and regulations are met and potential risks are minimised. This facilitates the approval processes and ensures legal certainty. In addition, it results in significant savings in terms of time and costs, as expensive delays and rework are avoided.

Enotrac makes a significant contribution to the safety and efficiency of rail systems. Enotrac’s experts apply their in-depth knowledge and experience in the rail industry to ensure that all components and subsystems are reliably integrated into the overall system. This enables safe and reliable rail transport, with the safety and well-being of passengers always being the top priority.