Regulation (EU) 2020/1056, adopted on July 15, 2020, establishes a legal framework for the electronic exchange of freight transport information (eFTI) across the European Union. The regulation aims to digitalise freight transport operations, making it mandatory for public authorities to accept electronic transport documents provided by businesses.
This facilitates more efficient logistics processes, reduces administrative costs, and enhances transparency and interoperability within the EU’s transport sector. By promoting the use of digital tools, the regulation supports sustainable and seamless cross-border transport throughout the Union.
Mapping of services on base UN/CEFACT Supply Chain Process Model
The European Union eFTI Regulation focuses solely on logistics processes and
Business-to-Government data exchange (source: UNECE, visual updates Riho Vedler).
The European Commission Mobility and Transport Directorate (DG Move), in collaboration with the DTLF initiative, will spearhead the regulatory development process.
European Union eFTI Regulation indicative implementation timeline
Source: DTLF. Visual created by Riho Vedler.
Status of implementing and delegated acts:
- Delegated act | eFTI data sets (Electronic freight transport information (eFTI) – national provisions in scope, eFTI common data set & data subsets)
- Implementing act | Cross border data exchange (Electronic freight transport information (eFTI) – procedures and access rules for competent authorities)
Feedback closed, 21 November 2023. Submitted 2024 to the European Parliament for ratification and publication.
- Accreditation and certification
- Verification
According to the European Commission, the implementation and delegated acts are scheduled for 2025.
Final Report
- Mapping and analysis of the legal framework for implementing the electronic freight transport information (eFTI) [link]
Implementing of legislation
Delegated act | Electronic freight transport information (eFTI) – national provisions in scope, eFTI common data set & data subsets [link]
Summary: This delegated act incorporates references to national law and regulatory information in accordance with the eFTI Regulation (Article 2) and establishes the corresponding common eFTI data set and data subsets. Establishing a harmonised common data set and data subsets together with definitions and technical characteristics for each data element will enable automated machine-to-machine data exchange.
Related with transport modes:
- Air
- Inland Waterways
- Rail
- Road
- Combined (incl. maritime)
Related with different types of goods:
- Bulk
- Dangerous goods
- General Cargo
- Small consignments
- Waste shipments
eFTI Data set created on the basis of the UN/CEFACT MMT-RDM model and data fields harmonised across EU Member States.
Implementing act | Electronic freight transport information (eFTI) – procedures and access rules for competent authorities [link]
Summary: This implementing act sets out harmonised procedures, rules and technical specifications to be followed by competent authorities of EU countries in order to access the electronic freight transport information (eFTI) platforms of transport operators.
In terms of data exchange, the implementing act focuses on the 4-corners model, and is in line with the EU Single Window Environment for Customs.
The aim is to guarantee that any eFTI platform can be accessed by the competent authorities of any EU country and to assure transport operators that the competent authorities handling their data are properly identified, authenticated and authorised.
Implementation process
Project name: eFTI4EU
Project coordinator: Ministry of Climate, Estonia
Target: Freight transport information shall be accepted electronically by Member State authorities.
Project period: 2023-2027
Partners: Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal
Total Partnership Eligible Budget EUR 28 352 625,00 (Eu co-financing 50% of eligible costs, 50% partnership co-financing). The project is funded from the EU CEF TEN-T programme.
Web page: https://efti4eu.eu/
Related documents
- 06.02.2025. Reference Implementation Release 0.5 Description and System Test Summary [link]
Project name: eFTI4ALL
Project coordinator: Trafikverket, Sweden
Project period: 2024-2028
Partners: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Romania, Poland, France, Italy, Spain, Lithuania
Total Partnership Eligible Budget EUR 30 564 486,00 (Eu co-financing 50% of eligible costs, 50% partnership co-financing). The project is funded from the EU CEF TEN-T programme.
Summary by Riho Vedler, DigitalTrade4EU