EUROPE’S PATH INTO DIGITAL LOGISTICS

Getting ready for eFTI

With the eFTI Regulation, Europe is taking a decisive step towards fully digital logistics. For the first time, there is a uniform legal framework that replaces paper-based freight documents with digital data models. However, success depends on all stakeholders now pulling together.

Standardised processes, interoperable systems, Europe-wide: eFTI saves time, reduces costs and increases efficiency.

Status quo

What is eFTI?

eFTI requires authorities in the EU member states to accept transport information for all modes of transport in electronic form. For companies, participation in eFTI is initially voluntary. But joining is worthwhile, as it means less administrative burden and accelerated processes.

The regulation

The Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) Regulation (EU 2020/1056), adopted on 15 July 2020, created the legal framework for the exchange of data between authorities and companies. This eliminates the use of paper between control authorities and companies.

The technical framework

The technical framework describes how transport information is exchanged in a digital ecosystem: companies provide transport information on so-called eFTI platforms – authorities retrieve this when required via eFTI gates.

Markus Sandbrink

CIO, Rhenus Group

»At Rhenus, we view eFTI as a positive step forward. As the industry moves steadily toward full digitalization, we believe eFTI should be an integral part of a truly end-to-end digital strategy. Regulations like eFTI are essential to building more reliable and efficient supply chains.«

Barry Van Leuven

Managing Director, Pionira

»At Pionira we see eFTI as a central driver of digital transformation in the logistics sector. eFTI is not just a regulatory framework, but also a lever to strengthen collaboration, drive innovation, and accelerate the adoption of digital transport documents across Europe. Clear and harmonised rules throughout Europe are crucial to building trust and ensuring smooth implementation.«

NEW PERSPECTIVES

Where does eFTI stand today?

In the eFTI4EU, eFTI4ALL und eFTI4LIVE projects, the EU Commission has initiated the implementation of the eFTI architecture. The goal is to establish a proof of concept for the technical framework, which also includes the development of initial components. However, the success of the eFTI Regulation will crucially depend on these components meeting practical requirements. Against this backdrop, it is essential that the perspectives of companies are seen and heard. Industry must have the opportunity to examine, adapt, and further develop the results – and it must also utilize them. This is the only way to develop lean, practical solutions – and thus an interoperable system that works across Europe.

SERVICE FOR COMPANIES

The eFTI platforms

Companies provide their data via the eFTI platforms – either on their own systems or on the systems of service providers.

The eFTI platforms are among the so-called commodities in logistics: they are necessary, but not differentiating – similar to shipment tracking or time slot management, which are both basic functionalities for which companies in the Open Logistics Foundation are already jointly developing open source solutions.

The central challenge in development lies in creating uniform components that can be easily used and integrated so that parallel developments and efforts can be minimised and interoperability can be ensured.

One standard for all companies

The Open Logistics Foundation promotes a joint approach among companies and collaboratively developed components on the companies’ eFTI platforms. This provides all companies with fast access and simplifies the connection to eFTI.

Companies thus have the opportunity – as with other Foundation projects – to contribute to the development of such a solution and help shape shared components. Collaboration reduces effort and costs for companies. Furthermore, the solution can be easily integrated into existing systems and platforms. For example, the eFTI data model and communication with the eFTI gates, as well as authentication and certification, are suitable for joint open source development.

INTERFACE FOR AUTHORITES

The eFTI gates

Going forward, the control authorities of individual EU member states will have access to companies’ digital transport information via the so-called eFTI gates. In principle, each member state operates its own gate. However, it is also possible for several states to share a gate.

Currently, countries are either developing their solutions themselves or have commissioned external partners. Networking between partners within and outside the projects is important so that developments can be harmonised and sustained.

A patchwork of different systems, which would mean unnecessary complexity and additional effort for companies operating throughout Europe, must in any case be avoided.

A unified solution for all states

With regard to the eFTI gates, the Open Logistics Foundation is committed to an open, joint and interoperable solution based on open source that is viable across all member states.

With its neutral governance and long-term structure, the Foundation offers a reliable framework for advancing the corresponding technical development in a coordinated manner. The Open Logistics Repository it operates also ensures the technical solution remains openly and permanently accessible, and can be further developed collaboratively.

Jens Leveling

Technology Advisor, Open Logistics Foundation

»With the Open Logistics Foundation, companies can prepare early for the requirements of the eFTI Regulation and contribute their own requirements to the solution being developed.«

David Saive

Legal Product Owner, Open Logistics Foundation

»When implementing digital solutions for transport documents, we at the Open Logistics Foundation make sure that the code is always legally compliant.«

TWO TOOLS, ONE GOAL

eFTI vs. eCMR – what is the difference?

Currently, companies are often still uncertain about the difference between the eFTI Regulation and the digital consignment note (eCMR). The confusion stems from, among other things, the fact that authorities sometimes require the eCMR during road freight checks – even though, strictly speaking, it is a purely private law document. However, the eCMR is suitable as proof for inspections under public law, as it contains all the essential details of transport that authorities need.

The digital consignment note is a civil law document between the companies involved in transport (B2B).

eFTI provides the legal framework for data exchange with authorities (B2A).

Another difference: the eCMR is a document for road freight transport, whereas the eFTI Regulation covers all modes of transport.

Why the eCMR is and remains important

The eCMR will not become superfluous with eFTI – on the contrary:

The eCMR is a first important step towards comprehensive digitalisation of transport documents.

The eCMR is an important data source for eFTI and makes it easier for companies to implement EU requirements.

Which transport documents are now on the agenda

With the digitisation of further transport documents, eFTI will continue to take shape – to the benefit of logistics. From the Open Logistic Foundation’s Working Group “Electronic Transport Documents”, an industry-ready open source solution is already available with the OLF-eCMR. The task now is to create standards for all modes of transport – some of which are already being addressed:

Companies always have the opportunity to launch or support corresponding projects for the digitisation of further transport documents within the Open Logistics Foundation: Let’s join forces for eFTI.

Half-length portrait of Andreas Nettsträter

»eFTI is far more than just a regulatory requirement. The Regulation provides a lever for collaboration, efficiency and the digital transformation of the European logistics sector. Now it’s time to set the right course – with common standards, open and interoperable solutions, and the willingness to actively help shape these exciting developments.«
Andreas Nettsträter, CEO, Open Logistics Foundation

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FAQs

What you need to know about eFTI in a nutshell

The new EU-wide regulation for the digital exchange of transport information: learn more about the implementation, application and potential of the eFTI Regulation.

How important is the eFTI Regulation for logistics in Europe?

The eFTI Regulation provides the long-missing legal framework for the digital transmission of information on the transport of goodsby road, rail, air and inland waterways within the EU. It is intended to digitalise and standardise the previously fragmenteddocumentation in cross-border transport. So far, each of the 27 EU countries can require different transport documents and proof.

What advantages does the eFTI Regulation offer companies?

A key benefit lies in the harmonisation of the legal framework within the EU: the Regulation promotes a uniform understanding and interpretation of legal requirements in the transport of goods. Today there are still differences in which proof is accepted and how, which leads to considerable inefficiencies in cross-border transport. Logistics companies also benefit directly from official inspections: eFTI enables all relevant data on the vehicle, cargo, transport route and legal evidence to be available digitally and in a standardised way. This significantly reduces the time required for inspections – from often 30 to 45 minutes today to just a few minutes. At the same time, the transparency and reliability of the transmitted information increases.

Where is the interface between the Open Logistics Foundation and eFTI?

The Open Logistics Foundation firmly believes that the digitalisation of transport will only succeed if solutions and systems are interoperable. Joint development is the best, if not the only, basis for this. The Open Logistics Foundation has already demonstrated this in many other digitalisation projects: it brings relevant stakeholders to the table to define open, standardised building blocks and interfaces – so that they work in practice and can be used by everyone. One successful example is the solution for digitalising the consignment note CMR, the OLF-eCMR. A particular strength of the Foundation lies not only in development, but also in operation: it creates structures for the continuous maintenance, further development, and updating of jointly developed solutions – so that they remain permanently usable and up-to-date.