regulatory update october 2026
Revision of Combined Transport Directive
The European Commission has decided to continue legislative work on the Combined Transport Directive.
With this an important step towards a new framework to further develop the Intermodal Transport Solutions in Europe has been achieved.
Our coalition – consisting of ECTA, CEFIC, CLECAT, European Shippers’ Council, Businesseurope and UIRR – will continue their joint efforts to present our interest and ideas to the Commission – DG Move.
Actually we are working on a “Non-Paper” which will be presented to the Commission by the end of November.
PFAS Ban
The European Commission supports the objective of the proposed universal Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (also known as PFAS) restriction under the REACH regulation.
Solid-state fluoropolymers which are used in tank equipment sealings, approved for the transport of dangerous goods, are a narrow, safety critical use case with no qualified alternative.
A coalition – consisting of ECTA, ITCO, UIP (Internation Union of Wagon Keepers), EBU (European Barge Union) and Fortvale – will ask the Commission to recognize this safety critical use case, to grant a time unlimited derogation with a review clause and to align the spare parts derogation with the certified 40-year service life of the equipment.
The proposal does not only foresee the prohibition of products containing PFAS materials but also the use of all kind of products/equipment containing PFAS materials. This will then exclude the actual use of all equipment like road tankers, portable tanks, rail tank wagons and tank barges.
A position paper is in preparation and will be presented to the Commission latest in December this year with the goal to get the allowance for a hearing in front of the Commission.