Safeguarding of the cargo during the forwarding provided by the freight forwarders is a major task. The need for safeguarding differs depending on the type of cargo and goods being transported, the type of transport used and other factors. The proper maintenance of the vehicles used and ensuring they are in good technical condition is one of the main factors ensuring the safety of the logistics services being offered.
Compliance with the local regulations for freight forwarding of cargo in Europe
The European logistics network provides freight forwarding services to various European countries in compliance with the rules of practice, as well as the international regulations. The main one is Directive 2014/47/EC which regulates the safety of the freight forwarding services by requiring proper maintenance of the vehicles and that they are in roadworthy condition for carrying cargo. The Directive also defines the need for the maintenance and inspections of the technical condition of the vehicles necessary for the safe forwarding of the cargo and for the prevention of negative impact on the environment.
The technical condition and inspections for roadworthiness of the vehicles in the EU
The control of the technical condition of the vehicles is done by periodic inspections. According to Directive 2014/47/EC, the inspections of the vehicles used for freight forwarding by the international freight forwarders are carried out as on-the-spot roadside inspections.
The advantages of on-the-spot roadside inspections in accordance to the regulations of Directive 2014/47ЕС
The roadside inspections done in the member countries of the EU include testing and inspection of the technical condition of the vehicle. Aside from establishing whether the vehicle is in good technical condition and does not endanger the safety and integrity of the cargo and goods being carried, these inspections contribute to maintaining the road safety in the EU. In addition, the Directive and its requirement for periodic inspections contributes for the harmonization of the technical safety requirements for the vehicles in the various countries in the EU.
Initial and detailed on-the-spot roadside inspections
In accordance to Directive 2014/47/EC, the technical roadside inspections include an initial inspection, and in the cases where a problem is identified – more detailed inspections of the vehicles are carried out. During both the initial and the detailed inspections, the main components of the vehicles are tested and examined. A categorization of the problems found can be done, depending on the relevance of the part and component of the vehicle affected.
The requirements of the Directive for the permits for the vehicles
The vehicles used for groupage services, the transport of complete loads, as well as those used for distribution logistics all have up-to-date registration permits for providing freight forwarding services. If a roadside inspection reveals that a vehicle can put at risk the road safety, procedures for taking away its permit are triggered, in accordance to the requirements of Directive 2014.47/ЕС.
The European logistics companies can apply the Directive 2014/47/ЕС together with the local safety regulations
As stated above, Directive 2014/47/ЕС facilitates the inspections for roadworthiness an safety in all countries which are members of the EU. However, it doesn’t exclude the observance of the requirements for road safety and roadworthiness in the different European countries, especially the requirements for driving and resting hours for the drivers.
When certain types of cargo require special additional safety precautions to be taken, the forwarders throughout Europe may apply these additional measures without violating the Directive.