Millions of people rely on the rail network every day—without giving a thought to the safety processes behind every component. What very few people know is that before a tongue roller, a switch lock, or a sliding chair plate can be installed in the German rail network, it must undergo a rigorous, government-regulated approval process. The Federal Railway Authority—or EBA for short—is responsible for this.
For buyers, infrastructure managers, and project managers, EBA certification is one of the most important decision-making criteria when procuring railway technology components. In this article, we explain what the approval process entails, what requirements must be met—and why a valid EBA approval is more than just a bureaucratic certificate.
What is the Federal Railway Authority (EBA)?
The Federal Railway Authority is the federal agency responsible in Germany for the safety, construction, and operation of federal railways. It reports to the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transportation and serves as the central point of contact for all safety-related matters concerning the railway infrastructure.
The EBA’s core responsibilities include:
- Certification of Infrastructure Components —From Tracks to Turnouts
- Approval of Railway Vehicles —Including Authorizations for Entry into Service
- Construction Supervision – Monitoring the Construction of Infrastructure Facilities
- Monitoring of Ongoing Operations
- Accreditation of Testing and Certification Bodies
In short: Without the EBA, no train in Germany can pass through a new set of switches. If you’d like to learn more about how Germany’s rail network is structured and the role that switch technology plays in it, you’ll find a comprehensive introduction in our Knowledge Center.
Why is EBA authorization so important?
The German rail network is one of the most complex infrastructures in Europe. Every day, switches are set thousands of times under extreme conditions—heat, frost, and the pressure exerted by trains weighing several metric tons. A failure of even a single component can lead to delays, accidents, or, in the worst case, disasters.
The interaction of the moving parts of the switch is particularly critical in this regard. The switch blade is the central actuator of every switch: it determines whether a train follows the straight track or switches to the branch track. This is precisely where locking systems and rolling mechanisms come into play as safety-critical components—and this is precisely why they are subject to the EBA approval process.
EBA approval ensures that components:
- were technically tested —under real-world operating conditions
- comply with national and European standards
- are approved for specific applications —such as certain rail profiles or switch types
- be reevaluated regularly —through renewal procedures
For buyers, this means that a product with a valid EBA approval is not only safe—it is also compliant with procurement regulations. No disputes with clients, no additional demands from regulatory agencies, and no construction delays due to missing documentation.
The EBA Authorization Process: Step by Step
1. Application and Documents
The manufacturer submits an application to the Federal Railway Authority. This application must include comprehensive technical documentation: design drawings, material certificates, load-bearing capacity calculations, test reports, and evidence of compliance with standards.
The quality and completeness of the documentation are critical to the duration of the process. Missing or incomplete documents significantly delay the issuance of the approval.
2. Technical Review and Documentation
The EBA reviews the submitted documentation based on the applicable technical regulations. This involves not only formal compliance but also providing actual evidence of operational safety.
Typical test areas:
- Material Strength and Wear Behavior
- Compatibility with existing rail profiles
- Behavior Under Temperature Fluctuations
- Ease of Assembly and Accessibility for Maintenance
- Safety Margins Under Extreme Loads
3. Operational Testing
In many cases, operational testing is required before final approval is granted. During this process, the product is tested under real-world operating conditions on the rail network—often over a period of several years. The goal is to assess long-term performance under actual loads: How does the material behave after thousands of train passes? How do wear and fatigue develop under varying weather conditions? The results of the operational testing are a key component of the EBA’s final evaluation.
4. Granting of Approval
If all requirements are met—including successful operational testing—the EBA grants approval, often with clear restrictions and scope of application. For example, an approval may apply to:
- certain rail profiles (e.g., 49E5, 54E4, 60E2)
- certain types of turnouts (EW, DW, EKW, DKW, etc.)
- specific track gauges (760 mm – 1,600 mm)
Our article on the construction of a turnout provides a good example of the variety of possible turnout types; it explains which components work together in which configurations.
5. Regular Renewal
An EBA approval is not a permanent certificate. It must be renewed periodically—which means that the manufacturer must continuously demonstrate that the product continues to meet current requirements. This renewal requirement serves as an important quality filter: Only manufacturers that consistently meet high standards remain approved.
EBA Authorization and European Standards
The EBA does not operate in a national vacuum. German licensing procedures are embedded in a European framework that has been further developed through the EU’s Fourth Railway Package.
The Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) play a central role in ensuring interoperability within Europe. They establish uniform requirements for railway technology used across national borders. The EBA is the competent national authority responsible for implementing and verifying these European requirements in German certification practice.
This is relevant for manufacturers with European ambitions: Those who successfully complete the EBA approval process have a solid foundation for recognition in other European countries as well. Our overview of the rail technology solutions from Bharat Forge Railsystems shows how we put this commitment into practice.
What exactly should buyers check? A checklist
When procuring railway technology components, the following points should be included in your supplier evaluation:
☐ Is the product on the current EBA approval list?
The EBA publishes a list of approved products on its official website. Check to see if the specific product—not just the manufacturer—is listed there.
☐ Is the license still valid, or has it been renewed?
Outdated approvals do not constitute proof of safety. Ask for the date of the most recent approval.
☐ Does the approval cover your specific use case?
Which rail profiles, switch types, and track gauges are covered? An approval for 60E2 rails does not automatically apply to 49E5.
☐ Is complete technical documentation available?
Reputable manufacturers proactively provide installation instructions, maintenance guidelines, and certification documents.
☐ Does the manufacturer offer training?
Proper installation is an essential part of safety. Manufacturers who actively offer training programs stand behind their products.
☐ Are there any real-world case studies?
Real-world operational experience complements formal certification.
Case Study: RV and ARV Tongue-Rolling Devices from Bharat Forge Railsystems
The RV and ARV tongue-rolling devices from Bharat Forge Railsystems GmbH provide a concrete example of the importance of the EBA approval process.
In a decision dated July 8, 2025, the Federal Railway Authority granted an extension of the approval for these products—for standard turnouts with rail profiles 49E5, 54E4, and 60E2. The official approval can be viewed on the EBA website.
What does this mean for buyers, specifically?
Technical safety confirmed: The tongue-rolling devices have been formally tested by the Federal Railway Authority and certified as safe for use on the German rail network. This is not a marketing claim—it is an official government determination.
Wide Compatibility: The approval applies to the three most common rail profiles on the German high-speed rail network. This significantly reduces the effort required for compatibility testing.
Renewal as Proof of Quality: Bharat Forge CDP has not merely received a one-time approval—the renewal in 2025 demonstrates that the products continue to meet the EBA’s current requirements even after years of use.
Planning Certainty: Using approved components helps avoid inquiries from clients or regulatory authorities and keeps construction projects on schedule.
The tongue-rolling device is just one part of a larger system. In combination with EBA-approved switch locks —including the EVZ and WKV—as well as the locking threshold, it forms a coordinated locking system that meets the highest safety requirements. If you’d like to understand how tip locks and clamp tip locks technically interlock, you’ll find in-depth articles on both topics in our knowledge section.
Conclusion: Approvals aren’t just bureaucratic red tape—they’re your safety net
EBA certification is much more than just a piece of paper in a supplier’s file. It is the result of a rigorous, government-supervised certification process—and thus one of the most reliable foundations for procurement decisions in the field of railway technology.
For infrastructure managers, procurement professionals, and project managers, the following applies: By relying on EBA-approved products when procuring components, you not only safeguard rail operations—you also protect your project from delays, additional claims, and liability risks.