ECMT Transport Ministers unanimously adopt Quality Charter and recognise IRU Academy training standards as key benchmark – a major step towards better transport and trade in Europe.
ECMT Transport Ministers have unanimously endorsed the ECMT Quality Charter, supported by the European Commission and the IRU, to set the highest possible standards for international road transport in Europe. The Charter focuses on social, legal, technical, environmental and practical applications and will become effective on 1 January 2016.
Senior Transport Specialist at the World Bank and IRU Academy Advisory Committee Chairwoman, Virginia Tanase, commented, “I’m convinced of the positive impact of the ECMT Quality Charter’s implementation, which will help establish a better level playing field leading to improved transport quality, reduced CO2 emissions and increased road safety. Recognition of IRU Academy professional training standards should strongly contribute to providing road transport industry professionals with the knowledge and skills to perform their duties safely and efficiently. In order to attain the objectives of the Charter, public and private stakeholders have to put in place measures that assist transport operators in complying with those standards, notably in developing countries. Ideally, such standards should be replicated wherever needed, even beyond ECMT countries.”
Indeed, the Charter recognises IRU Academy training standards as key benchmarks that meet ECMT Quality Charter requirements on professional qualification, notably its certificates and diplomas for drivers and managers. Since its creation, the IRU Academy has continuously raised the bar in high quality training to effectively ensure professionalism, performance, safety and sustainability across the board.
Head of the IRU Academy, Patrick Philipp, concluded, “Our goal is to help everyone working in or with road transport achieve the highest level of knowledge and skills possible through professional training. The IRU congratulates the International Transport Forum for this successful and important step towards better transport and trade.”
