Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of May 18, 2026, from the State Railway Safety Agency (AESF) |
|---|---|
| Publication | June 10, 2026 |
| Entry into force | June 10, 2026 |
| Exam date | October 7, 2026, at 11:00 hours |
| Application deadline | 20 calendar days from publication (from June 10, 2026) |
| Fee | 35 € (payment prior to application) |
| Certificate validity | 5 years |
| Affected parties | Companies and professionals in the railway sector that transport or manage dangerous goods |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Regulatory framework | RID (Regulation concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail) |
If your company operates in railway transport of dangerous goods and has not yet processed the renewal or obtaining of the Safety Advisor certificate, the clock is already ticking. The Resolution of May 18, 2026 from the State Railway Safety Agency (AESF) convenes exams for October 7, 2026 and sets an application deadline of only 20 calendar days from its publication on June 10.
The obligation to have certified advisors is not new, but each call marks a specific window to comply or renew. Missing it could mean operating without the regulatory coverage required by the RID.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution convenes two differentiated types of tests:
| Type of exam | Directed to | Prior requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Exam for obtaining | Applicants who do not have a certificate or whose certificate has expired | None specific (in addition to fee payment) |
| Exam for renewal (control test) | Certificate holders with current certificates who want to renew | Certificate in force on exam day (Oct 7 2026) |
A critical point: if the certificate has expired before the exam date, the applicant cannot take the renewal test and must opt for the complete obtaining exam. Renewal is only possible during the last year of certificate validity.
Applications must be submitted preferably through electronic means, with prior payment of the 35 € fee. The evaluation panel is published in the resolution itself. The exams cover both the global modality and by specialties, in accordance with the RID framework.
Economic and operational impact
The direct cost of the call is minimal: 35 € per applicant in fees. However, the real impact for companies goes beyond this:
- Cost of non-compliance: operating without a certified safety advisor means breaching the RID, with the administrative and operational responsibilities that entails.
- Preparation cost: applicants need specific training to pass the exam, especially in the obtaining modality.
- Replacement cost: if the current advisor does not renew in time and the certificate expires, the company must find a certified replacement or wait for the next call, which could halt operations.
- Renewal window: the certificate can only be renewed in the last year of its 5-year validity. Missing this call forces waiting for the next one, with the risk that the certificate expires in the interim.
Advance planning is, therefore, the main cost-saving lever: identifying which advisors have certificates approaching expiration and ensuring their registration within the 20-day deadline.
Who does it affect?
- Companies that issue dangerous goods by rail.
- Railway transport companies that operate with dangerous goods.
- Companies that handle (loading, unloading, transshipment) dangerous goods in the railway sector.
- Professionals who exercise or wish to exercise as Safety Advisors in any of the above activities.
- Regulatory compliance officers and operations directors of railway companies.
- Consulting firms specialized in transport safety that manage their clients' certification.
Practical example
A railway transport company for dangerous goods has a designated Safety Advisor whose certificate expires in February 2027. Being within the last year of validity, they can opt for the renewal control test in the October 7, 2026 call.
The compliance officer must act before the 20 calendar days from June 10, 2026 expire, submit the application through electronic means, and pay the 35 € fee. If they pass the exam, the certificate is renewed for another 5 years, ensuring regulatory coverage until 2031 without needing to take the complete obtaining exam.
If, instead, that same advisor had let the certificate expire before October 7, they would have to take the obtaining exam (more demanding), with the additional risk that the company operates without a certified advisor during the preparation and waiting period.
What should companies do now?
- Identify the designated safety advisors and verify the expiration date of their certificates. If it expires before October 7, 2026, they must opt for the obtaining exam; if it expires after, they can renew.
- Submit the application within 20 calendar days from June 10, 2026, preferably through the AESF electronic office.
- Pay the 35 € fee before formalizing the application, as prior payment is a requirement for processing.
- Verify that the certificate is in force on exam day (October 7, 2026) if opting for the renewal test. Otherwise, change the modality to obtaining.
- Plan the preparation of the applicant for the exam, especially if it is the obtaining modality, which requires greater knowledge of the RID.
- Review the evaluation panel and applicable regulations published in the resolution to know the exact format of the tests.
Frequently asked questions
When is the railway Safety Advisor exam in 2026?
The exam is scheduled for October 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., according to the Resolution of May 18, 2026 from the State Railway Safety Agency (AESF). The deadline to apply is 20 calendar days from the publication of the resolution on June 10, 2026.
How much does it cost to take the railway Safety Advisor exam?
The fee is 35 €, which must be paid prior to submitting the application. There is no information in the resolution about exemptions or reductions of this fee.
Can I renew the certificate if it has already expired?
No. The renewal control test is only available for those who have the certificate in force on exam day (October 7, 2026). If the certificate has expired before that date, it is mandatory to take the obtaining exam, which is the complete process.
How often do you need to renew the railway Safety Advisor certificate?
The certificate has a validity of 5 years. It can be renewed through a control test during the last year of validity. If not renewed during that period and it expires, it must be obtained again through the complete obtaining exam.
Which companies are required to designate a Safety Advisor for dangerous goods by rail?
According to the RID, companies that issue, transport or handle dangerous goods by rail are required. This includes shippers, railway transport companies, and companies involved in loading, unloading or transshipment of this type of goods.
Official source
View complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-12590