Australia's Transport Ministers have unanimously voted to approve a policy and process for regulators to recognise industry-developed rail safety standards as ‘good practice’.

The agreed mechanism will improve the take-up of national standards across the rail sector. Common standards reduce costs where freight moves between different rail operations in the supply chain.

Previously, the rail industry had to ‘prove’ their standards were robust on a case-by-case basis.

“This is a great example of co-regulation working successfully in the rail industry,” said General Manager-Safety and Environment Tim Eaton.

The National Transport Commission developed the National Policy Statement for the Recognition of Industry Developed Standards for Rail Safety through consultation with industry, unions and rail safety regulators. The document is available for download here: