Directive 2016/797 extends the scope of interoperability whilst introducing a new streamlined and harmonised process for vehicle authorisation and for ERTMS trackside approval at EU level. For that purpose, ERA has been given an enhanced role as the European authorising entity and is developing several new tools and processes, such as:

• a One-Stop Shop (OSS) IT tool which serves as the IT-portal for all stakeholders to submit their applications for vehicle authorisation as well as single safety certification and ERTMS Trackside approvals;
• a Board of Appeal (BoA) which will serve as body deciding on litigation cases;
• enhanced databases (i.e. Register of infrastructure (RINF), a new European Vehicle Register (EVR) replacing ECVVR and a new Single Rules Database (SRD) replacing RDD in the future, among others.