ESTA, the European association representing the abnormal road transport and mobile crane rental industry, is showing optimism regarding upcoming EU regulations designed to standardize the rules for marking and lighting on heavy transport vehicles across the European Union. These regulations are part of the EU’s revised Weights and Dimensions Directive (96/53), which is currently under review by the Council of Ministers.
This development marks a significant step forward following over five years of advocacy by ESTA, which established a specialized working group to address the issue. The group’s efforts culminated in a series of detailed recommendations, which received backing from the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA), the influential German automotive industry association. Initially, these proposals were presented to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) committee responsible for traffic regulations. However, their progress was delayed due to a backlog of work resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, with the legislative focus shifting to Brussels, ESTA’s attention is firmly on the proposed revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive. The directive, which has already received the European Parliament’s approval, is currently in the consultation phase with the Council of Ministers following the European elections in June.
The revised directive aims to bring uniformity to the complex and varied rules currently governing abnormal transport across Europe. A significant provision requires Member States to work together to “avoid the multiplicity of vehicle markings and signaling.” The European Commission is also expected to ensure the effective implementation of this provision.
Leading ESTA’s campaign on marking and lighting regulations is Iffet Türken, ESTA Section Transport President and Executive Board Member of trailer manufacturer Kässbohrer. Türken welcomed the recent developments as “very good news,” noting that while the pace has been slow, progress is finally being made. Expressing frustration with the current situation, she remarked, “The rules for marking and lighting of abnormal transports are different in every EU country. Why is a side marking board in one country 50 x 50 cm and in another country 42.5 x 42.5 cm? ESTA is simply trying to introduce some unity and common sense here.”
ESTA’s working group on this issue includes several key industry figures, such as Tahsin Dogan from Kässbohrer, André Friderici of the Swiss company Friderici Spécial, who also serves as ESTA Section Transport President, Lars Schoedt from TII-Scheuerle, and Ambro Smit from the Netherlands transport association TLN.
The original recommendations, accessible on the ESTA website, are the result of a concerted effort to streamline regulations and improve safety across Europe’s transport networks. As the Council of Ministers continues its deliberations, there is hope within the industry that these long-awaited changes will soon become a reality.
ESTA’s persistent advocacy, coupled with the support of key industry players like the VDA, underscores the critical need for harmonized regulations to ensure the safety and efficiency of abnormal transport across the EU.
