Brussels,

Digital Transport and Logistics Forum (DTLF)

MOBILITY & TRANSPORT

The Digital Transport and Logistics Forum (DTLF) serves as a pivotal group under the European Commission, uniting public and private stakeholders from the transport and logistics sectors to foster the digital transformation of these industries.

Key Functions and Contributions of the DTLF:

  1. Technical Assistance and Regulatory Support: DTLF offers crucial technical aid for the enactment of  Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 on Electronic Freight Transport Information and crafts Corridor Freight Information Systems to enable seamless data sharing among diverse entities in multimodal freight transport and logistics chains.
  2. Platform for Dialogue and Expertise: Established in 2015, the DTLF provides a structured platform for dialogue, offering technical expertise and promoting collaboration and coordination between the Commission, Member States, and the transport and logistics sectors. It aids the Commission in developing and executing Union activities and programs, particularly focusing on achieving comprehensive digital interoperability and data exchange within a secure, shared transport and logistics data space.
  3. Policy Development and Consensus Building: From its inception until 2018, under its first mandate, the DTLF focused on building consensus on the necessary technical, organizational, and legal principles. This is continued under its second mandate, with the DTLF working in subgroups on specific topics, convening semi-annually in Plenary sessions, and contributing to broader initiatives such as the development of the Mobility Data Space under the European Common Data Spaces framework.

Membership and Participation:
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  • The DTLF's membership renewal process is underway, with a call for applications for new members (individuals and organizations) launched in December 2023 as the term of the current members expired. Call for application here

The DTLF is instrumental in shaping the future of transport and logistics through digital innovation, fostering collaborative efforts to streamline processes, enhance interoperability, and secure data sharing across the sector.

Organisation of DTLF

Subgroup 1 – "Paperless Transport" under the Digital Transport and Logistics Forum (DTLF) is dedicated to transforming the transport sector into a paperless environment, recognizing that in a digital age, reliance on paper documents and plastic cards (like driver’s licenses) for compliance and contractual agreements is increasingly inefficient. This transformation is a primary goal of the DTLF's endeavors.

Activities and Progress:
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  1. Initial Mandate (2015-2018): During its first mandate, Subgroup 1 concentrated on identifying and addressing the legal and technical hindrances to the trusted, efficient, and secure exchange of information between operators and authorities. The subgroup played a pivotal role in guiding the European Commission towards initiatives that would substitute paper documents with electronic information exchanges to prove compliance with transport regulations.
  2. Current Focus: Presently, Subgroup 1 is supporting the Commission in formulating and preparing the implementation specifications for the eFTI (electronic Freight Transport Information) Regulation through four specialized teams:
    • “Data” Team: This team is instrumental in defining the common eFTI data set and eFTI data subsets, ensuring alignment with the information requirements stipulated in EU and national legal acts within the Regulation's scope.
    • “Functional” Team: Their focus is on contributing to the functional specifications of the future eFTI environment architecture. This includes establishing common rules and procedures for authorities to access and process eFTI data, outlining the structure of eFTI platforms for economic operators to make information available to authorities, and defining the role of eFTI service providers.
    • “Technical” Team: This team offers advice on the technical aspects of the eFTI implementation specifications, particularly concerning the functional and technical architecture of the forthcoming eFTI environment.
    • “Implementation and Certification” Team: They are tasked with establishing rules for the certification of eFTI platforms and eFTI service providers.

​Through the collaborative efforts of these teams, Subgroup 1 is at the forefront of steering the transport sector towards a digital and paperless future, enhancing efficiency, security, and compliance within the industry.
Subgroup 2. Titled “Corridor Freight Information Systems,” is a dedicated segment of the Digital Transport and Logistics Forum (DTLF) focused on addressing the challenges of interoperability and fragmentation in data sharing systems within the supply and logistics sectors. The subgroup's mission is to devise a unified framework for information sharing in multimodal transport and logistics chains, fostering a federated network that integrates existing and emerging platforms. This initiative aims to facilitate seamless, neutral, and trusted data sharing among all stakeholders, promoting full supply chain visibility and thereby sparking innovation, reducing costs, and addressing societal issues like safety, security, and sustainability.

Key Objectives and Structure of Subgroup 2:
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  1. Framework Development: By 2022, Subgroup 2 experts are tasked with crafting technical specifications for the data-sharing framework and formulating pertinent implementation guidelines, considering both public and private sector perspectives.
  2. Expert Teams and Focus Areas: The subgroup's experts are organized into four teams, each concentrating on a critical aspect of the future federated network of platforms:
    • Plug and Play: Developing concepts and procedures that enable stakeholders to connect and share data based on common agreements.
    • Technology Independent Services: Generating technology-independent platform services that support common processes, business interoperability, and compliance with legislation.
    • Federation of Platforms: Establishing interoperability (technical, functional, and business model) among diverse platforms, regardless of their technological underpinnings.
    • Trusted, Safe and Secure: Creating a neutral governance structure that ensures trust, safety, and security in data sharing across various platform service providers, including peer-to-peer solutions.
  3. EU-Supported Initiatives: The work of DTLF Subgroup 2 is bolstered by two EU-funded projects: FEDeRATED and FENIX, which contribute to the development and realization of the subgroup's objectives.

Further insights into the future framework for information sharing in transport and logistics can be gleaned from the subgroup's workplan, meeting records, the DTLF SG2 Interim Report, and an informative video. This comprehensive approach underscores the subgroup's commitment to enhancing data interoperability and streamlining logistics and supply chain operations across the EU.
Subgroup 3, titled "Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) Delegated Acts," is a specialized segment of the Digital Transport and Logistics Forum (DTLF) focused on the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 2020/1056 concerning eFTI. This regulation, effective from 20 August 2020, is a cornerstone in the digital transformation of transport and logistics, aiming for paperless freight transport by 2030 as part of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.

Key Functions and Structure of Subgroup 3:
  1. Consultative Role: Subgroup 3 serves as a consultative body, engaging experts from each Member State to deliberate before the European Commission adopts the delegated acts as stipulated in the eFTI Regulation. This aligns with the principles of the Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Law-Making and its annex, “Common Understanding on Delegated Acts”.
  2. Separate Entity within DTLF: To maintain clarity and focus, and to leverage the established infrastructure of the DTLF, the Commission conducts consultation meetings on draft delegated acts within the DTLF framework but ensures separation from Subgroup 1 “Paperless Transport” by establishing “eFTI delegated acts” as a distinct subgroup.
  3. Membership and Participation: The core membership of Subgroup 3 comprises experts nominated by the Member States. Additionally, a select number of experts representing other stakeholders, based on representativeness criteria from the DTLF members and observers, may join this subgroup as observers. Presently, 16 observers have been appointed following an initial call for applications. The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, in line with the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making, also have the provision to send experts to this subgroup's meetings.

​Detailed information about the members, observers, and meetings of Subgroup 3 is accessible via the Register of Commission Expert Groups, ensuring transparency and structured progression in the adoption and implementation of eFTI delegated acts.

eFTI and the Organisation of DTLF

The eFTI Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 is a significant legislative advancement aimed at digitizing freight transport information exchanges within the European Union. Effective from August 2020, this regulation will be fully operational by August 2025.

Key Aspects and Benefits of the eFTI Regulation:
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  1. Legal Framework: It provides a structured legal basis for electronic information exchanges between economic operators and Member State authorities concerning cargo movement across the EU. The regulation covers information mandated by EU and national legislation to validate compliance with rules governing the transport of goods by rail, road, inland waterways, and air.
  2. Advancements in Digital Transformation: The eFTI Regulation marks a significant leap in the digital transformation of freight transport in Europe, offering substantial benefits:
    • Reduced Administrative Costs: The transport and logistics sector is projected to save up to €27 billion over the next two decades, as per European Commission estimates.
    • Enhanced Efficiency: The regulation facilitates the electronic exchange of information not just between operators and authorities but also among economic operators themselves, streamlining the overall logistics chain.
    • Improved Rule Enforcement: It supports more efficient enforcement of freight transport regulations within the Union by enabling risk-based controls and ensuring the availability of high-quality, standardized data. This data can be utilized for monitoring, statistical purposes, and other relevant functions.
  3. Synergy with Other EU Initiatives: The eFTI Regulation is designed to complement other EU initiatives aimed at supporting electronic freight information exchanges, notably the  European Maritime Single Window environment and the EU Single Window Environment for Customs.

​In essence, the eFTI Regulation is a transformative policy instrument that will significantly contribute to the digitalization, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of the freight transport sector within the European Union.

The Commission is currently preparing an Implementing Regulation and a Delegated Regulation with Annexes.

Read the eBrifing on eFTI Regulation (EU) 2020/1056