Liebherr introducing ECM certification for rail-road excavators

Kirchdorf an der Iller (Germany), 31 May 2022 – The new (EU) Directive 2019/779, also known as the ECM directive, is applicable for railway vehicles operating in the higher-level network. Liebherr rail-road excavators will also be subject by this new certification requirement in the future.

An ECM entity is to be assigned to every machine in the vehicle register so that this vehicle can be operated in the rail network. ECM, i.e. "Entity in Charge of Maintenance", denotes the entity responsible for the maintenance of the machine concerned. From June this year, Liebherr-Mietpartner GmbH and Carl Beutlhauser Baumaschinen GmbH are officially certified as such ECM points. The maintenance operations of Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GmbH and Liebherr sales and service partners in Germany and Austria are certified. The Liebherr sales and service partner in the Czech Republic, Liebherr-Stavební stroje CZ s.r.o., was certified at the end of last year.

New implementation regulation demands certification

Following a serious railway accident in Italy in 2009 caused by a crack in a track wheel, directive (EU) 445/2011 was introduced to implement ECM as a system for the certification of "entities in charge of maintenance of freight wagons ". Until now, this directive, which requires a comprehensive maintenance management system, has only been valid for goods trains. To enhance safety in railway traffic, the old directive has been revised and expanded.

The new directive (EU) 2019/779, which came into effect in 2019, expands the application to all rail cars that operate on the public rail network. This also includes Liebherr rail-road excavators operating in various European countries such as Germany, Austria and in the Czech Republic. Non-EU countries such as Switzerland also base their requirements on this regulation.

The revised directive also includes a mandatory certification system for all ECM entities in which the maintenance processes are audited. Vehicles that are not assigned to an ECM entity may no longer be used in railway traffic.

Customer benefits thanks to ECM certification

Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GmbH and the Liebherr sales, rental and service partners in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic have implemented a maintenance management system that is compliant with directive (EU) 2019/779. From June this year, these divisions will be officially ECM-certified.

Successful ECM certification will enable Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GmbH to continue giving customers competent consultation and support. Moreover, the company also upholds the customary high-quality processes in the production of rail-road excavators – and ensures ECM-compliant procedures.

Successful certification also means that Liebherr sales and service partners will remain authorised and trained to perform repairs, annual inspections and revisions on Liebherr rail-road excavators. Liebherr-Mietpartner GmbH and Carl Beutlhauser Baumaschinen GmbH are also certified as official ECM entities. This will ensure that Liebherr rail-road excavators remain available to customers for rental in the familiar manner.