EU transport harmonisation moves ahead again

Another step forward for harmonisation. Photo: Falcon Freight

Members of the European Parliament on 12 March 2024 backed moves to harmonise the numerous and complex national rules governing abnormal transport.

The plenary vote to revise the EU’s Weights and Dimensions Directive (96/53) is an important step in a long campaign led by ESTA, the European association of abnormal road transport and mobile cranes, (ESTA).

The proposals were previously ratified in February by the Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee. Now they have the full backing of MEPs, they enter a process of consultation between the Council and the Parliament.

Avoiding petty bureaucracy

Ton Klijn, ESTA director, said, “European operators transporting indivisible loads face a huge number of different national provisions covering language requirements, the escorting and marking of vehicles, permitting systems and more. These unnecessary and petty rules make the industry less safe and less efficient.

“Abnormal transport companies are crucial for the prosperity of European economy through their work in the renewable energy, infrastructure, oil and gas, heavy industry and power generation sectors.

“This is why ESTA has been active during the revision process of the directive and we strongly welcome the European Parliament’s decision to harmonise national rules and remove administrative and operational bottlenecks.”