In September 2020, Ricardo Certification* was appointed by Siemens Mobility to provide Notified Body services for the supply of 30 new high-speed intercity express (ICE) trains for Germany's national operator, Deutsche Bahn.

The new trainsets, based on the Velaro MS design and due to be delivered into service from 2022, are part of a €1 billion investment by Deutsche Bahn to expand its mainline fleet.

The role of a Notified Body

As part of a drive to harmonise standards across Europe's rail networks, the EU published legislation - in particular the landmark Railway Interoperability Directive 2008/57/EC and Directive 2016/797 - aimed at standardising relevant interoperable elements of rolling stock and rail infrastructure between member states. The detailed requirements are set out in the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI).

A Notified Body (NoBo) is an organisation with proven impartiality and competence credentials that has been appointed by EU member states and notified to the European Commission to perform verification activities against relevant Directives.

A NoBo must be appointed to carry out verification tasks during any major new, upgraded or renewals of railway systems, including rolling stock, before permission can be sought for the system to enter into actual service.

Ricardo Certification is accredited by RvA to perform conformity assessments of rolling stock and sub-systems against the relevant requirements of the Interoperability Directives. The team will verify the new ICE trains in terms of their compliance with the TSI regulations, including the quality management system of the production process.

*Ricardo Certification comprises a set of companies within the Ricardo group that perform independent assurance and testing services, including Notified Body, Designated Body and Independent Safety Assessments. For more information see Ricardo Certification.