Railway transport of dangerous goods: what changes with RID 2026

Key data

Companies operating international railway transport of dangerous goods face a process of regulatory adaptation. The EU Council approved on 5 May 2026 the Decision (EU) 2026/1071, which sets the position that the Union will defend in the 59th session of the OTIF Expert Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. The outcome of that session will determine the specific changes that operators must incorporate into their procedures.

This is not a minor procedural modification. The changes discussed affect the operational core of railway transport of dangerous goods: how substances are classified, how they are packaged, how they are labeled and under what conditions they are transported. Any company operating in this field must pay attention to what is approved.

What does this regulation establish?

The Council Decision does not directly modify the RID, but rather establishes the official position of the EU in the international forum where those modifications will be approved. This mechanism ensures that all 27 Member States speak with one voice before OTIF, avoiding contradictory positions between countries.

The affected regulatory framework is as follows:

The modifications to Appendix C of COTIF that are approved in the 59th OTIF session will become mandatory for all companies carrying out international transport of dangerous goods by rail, including those operating in EU territory.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact for affected companies is concentrated in four operational areas that may require investment in adaptation:

• Classifications of dangerous substances: Possible reclassifications that require reviewing the transport documentation of certain shipments.
• Packaging: Changes in packaging and wrapping requirements that may affect suppliers and cargo preparation costs.
• Labeling: Modifications to the marks, labels or plates required, with impact on shipment preparation and verification processes.
• Transport conditions: Possible changes in restrictions, segregations or technical requirements applicable to certain substances during transit.

The cost of adaptation will depend on the final scope of changes approved in the 59th OTIF session, which is not published in this decision. Companies with higher volumes of substances affected by reclassifications or with fleets requiring signage updates will be most exposed.

Who does it affect?

• Railway companies operating international services for the transport of dangerous goods under the COTIF convention.
• Logistics operators managing shipments of dangerous goods by rail on international routes.
• Safety managers and safety advisors (DGSA) in companies that load, unload or transport dangerous goods by rail.
• Compliance and operations departments of industrial companies that use rail for the transport of their dangerous products.
• Suppliers of approved packaging for dangerous goods in international railway transport.

Practical example

A Spanish chemical company that exports products classified as dangerous goods by rail to Germany or Poland operates under the RID. If the 59th OTIF session approves a reclassification of any of its substances or modifies the applicable packaging requirements, the company will need to:

• Update transport documentation (CIM consignment note) with the new classification.
• Verify that the packaging used continues to meet the new requirements or contract approved packaging under the new standards.
• Update the labeling of packages and wagon plates if codes or pictograms change.
• Review with its safety advisor (DGSA) whether the transport conditions applicable to its shipments have been modified.

This process can affect both shipment planning and contracts with railway companies and packaging suppliers.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify whether you operate international railway transport of dangerous goods under the COTIF/RID convention. If so, this regulation directly affects you.
2. Monitor the resolutions of the 59th session of the OTIF Expert Committee, where the specific changes to Appendix C of COTIF will be approved. Those resolutions will determine the actual scope of the adaptation needed.
3. Review with your safety advisor (DGSA) the four affected areas: classifications, packaging, labeling and transport conditions, to anticipate which internal procedures will need to be updated.
4. Evaluate the impact on contracts with packaging suppliers and with the railway companies you operate with, as changes may affect agreed terms.
5. Update training for personnel involved in the preparation, documentation and supervision of dangerous goods shipments by rail once the approved changes are known.