In the evolving logistics landscape, digital transformation is necessary. The Working Group Electronic Transport Documents aims to realise this future by implementing a solution for companies to handle all kinds of shipping documents uniformly. With their first project, eCMR, they aim to eliminate paper-based CMR documents and have a basic open source standard that ensures seamless compatibility across the logistics ecosystem.
The electronic consignment note will enable companies to uniformly create, digitally sign, share, validate and archive shipping documents related to the international carriage of goods by road (CMR). This solution is not only human-readable but also optimised for machine processing, enhancing both efficiency and compliance with global regulations.
“Embracing the eCMR in 2025 is not just about compliance; it’s about transforming logistics into a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable industry. The shift to digital consignment notes marks a significant step towards a paperless future and streamlining operations. I’m extremely proud to be part of this significant open source development as a co-leader of the Working Group,”
says Ingo Müller, Department Head of Prototyping & Testing at Dachser SE.
Key milestones achieved
Through collaborative efforts, the Working Group has already reached significant milestones, demonstrating the practical viability of the eCMR solution:
• Real-world pilot test runs: In 2023, over 150 shipments were successfully tested with the eCMR, validating its effectiveness in real logistics operations.
• Refined data model: Development and release of an advanced eCMR data model tailored for industry-wide interoperability.
• eIDAS-compatible electronic seals: Implementation of secure digital signing mechanisms for consignors, carriers, and consignees, ensuring legal validity across borders.
• IT security report: Comprehensive security assessments conducted with IT experts to safeguard data integrity and compliance.
Reflecting on these accomplishments, Jonas Kassan, Team Lead Global Project Management Office & EDI at Rhenus SE & Co.KG, shares,
“I am excited for 2025 to drive forward the digitalisation of the CMR! As co-leader of the Electronic Transport Documents Working Group, I’m proud of our 2024 achievements: advancing the open source eCMR solution and fostering collaboration. Looking ahead, we’ll drive innovation and adoption—shaping the future of digital logistics together. Let’s keep building!”
Next steps for 2025
The journey towards complete digitalisation continues with ambitious plans for the coming year:
• Company-internal pilot programs: Expanding internal pilots across multiple countries to refine and test the eCMR system.
• Large-scale pilots: Engaging logistics service providers, shippers, subcontractors, customers, and other external stakeholders in diverse cross-border environments.
These pilots will help identify potential barriers, optimise workflows, and promote broader adoption throughout the logistics value chain.
Join our efforts
The eCMR project is driven by a dynamic coalition of companies actively shaping its future (status as of February 2025), including :
Aventeon, Blue Yonder, cargoledger, Cargo Sign, DACHSER (co-lead), DB Schenker, DSLV, duisport- Duisburger Hafen AG, Fraunhofer IML, Gebrüder Weiss, GS1 Germany, Iteratec, LKW Walter, Markant Gruppe, Pionira NV, Rhenus Logistics (co-lead), SITRA Spedition GmbH, TradeLink, Trans.eu, TransFollow, Translogica, Transporeon, Zenkju GmbH and Zufall Logistics Group.
The Working Group welcomes more collaborators from the logistics industry –Logistics Service Providers, IT service providers, platform operators, shippers, forwarders and all other stakeholders committed to driving the digital transformation. The group meets every Friday at 11: 00 Uhr CET.
Learn more on our website: https://openlogisticsfoundation.org/foundation-projects/working-group-electronic-transport-documents/
