This Directive lays down provisions to ensure the development and improvement of the safety of the Union rail system and improved access to the market for rail transport services by:
harmonising the regulatory structure in the Member States;
defining responsibilities between the actors in the Union rail system;
developing common safety targets (‘CSTs’) and common safety methods (‘CSMs’) with a view to gradually removing the need for national rules;
setting out the principles for issuing, renewing, amending and restricting or revoking safety certificates and authorisations;
requiring the establishment, for each Member State, of a national safety authority and an accident and incident investigating body; and
defining common principles for the management, regulation and supervision of railway safety.