Policy paper

Rail technical standards common framework

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

• From: Department for Transport
• Published: 26 February 2026

Documents

Rail technical standards framework

PDF, 238 KB, 21 pages

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Details

The provisional 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.

Published 26 February 2026