Commission Decision of 22 November 2011 on criteria for the recognition of training centres involved in the training of train drivers, on criteria for the recognition of examiners of train drivers and on criteria for the organisation of examinations in accordance with Directive 2007/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2011) 7966) (Text with EEA relevance) (2011/765/EU)

Commission Decision

of 22 November 2011

on criteria for the recognition of training centres involved in the training of train drivers, on criteria for the recognition of examiners of train drivers and on criteria for the organisation of examinations in accordance with Directive 2007/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council

(notified under document C(2011) 7966)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2011/765/EU)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Directive 2007/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the certification of train drivers operating locomotives and trains on the railway system in the Community(1), and in particular Articles 23(3)(b) and 25(5) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) To achieve an appropriate and comparable level of quality of training and examinations of train drivers and train candidate drivers with a view to their certification in all Member States, it is necessary to establish common criteria at Union level in regard to both the procedures for recognition of training centres and for examiners of train drivers.

(2) Training and examinations should be performed in an appropriate manner and at a reasonable and comparable quality level in all Member States, to enable mutual acceptance of examinations.

(3) Training centres should be competent in regard to the training they carry out. In particular the training centres should have technical and operational competence and suitability to organise training courses and should be adequately staffed and equipped.

(4) Particular provisions should be laid down for training centres that belong to railway undertakings or infrastructure managers applying for safety certificates or safety authorisations. In order to reduce the administrative burden, a Member State should be enabled to provide the possibility to combine the recognition of such training centres with the process of granting safety certificates or safety authorisations.

(5) Examiners of train drivers should be skilled and competent in regard to the subject matter of examinations they want to conduct. Requirements for the competence of an examiner should refer to aspects such as examination methods, skills and pedagogical aptitude. The competent authority should check on an individual basis whether the competence of a person or entity applying for recognition as an examiner of train drivers is appropriate for the purpose of performing examinations in the respective areas of competences.

(6) Examiners of train drivers should perform examinations in an independent and impartial manner. To that end, the persons or entities applying for the recognition procedure should prove to the competent authority that they respect those requirements.

(7) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee referred to in Article 32 of Directive 2007/59/EC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

(1)

OJ L 315, 3.12.2007, p. 51.