By Gemma Lougheed - 28th February 2006
The European commission has today put forward rules aimed at tightening transport security rules.
In the fight against terrorism, European commissioner for transport, Jacques Barrot, insists the rules will help to prevent possible terrorist attacks in the EU.
“The new rules will make the EU the first trading bloc in the world to add a full security dimension to all forms of freight transport,” said Barrot.
The rules are aimed at promoting security on inland transportation of goods by trucks, trains and barges.
The proposal invites all commercial operators to raise their security measures to EU standards.
Such operators will be branded with a ‘secure operator’ status from national authorities which will then be valid for three years.
Although this scheme is a voluntary one, a commission spokesman said he was confident companies would be eager to reap the benefits of less red tape, time saving and improvement of a company's image.
“We envisage 700.000 will join this scheme over the first five years,” said the spokesman.
The EU currently has more than half a million companies in transport services.
Companies signing up to the scheme will be encouraged to implement a security management system.
Such a system includes protection of buildings, access control, personal security and container protection.
The rules must now be approved by the European parliament and council.
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