The European Commission is making steady progress on the final pieces of implementing legislation required for the deployment of the electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) Regulation. These measures will define how competent authorities and economic operators exchange freight transport information electronically, paving the way for a harmonised digital environment for logistics across the European Union.
In parallel, the Commission is finalising the technical specifications for the IT systems used by both competent authorities and eFTI platform providers. Together, these rules will establish a secure, interoperable and standardised framework for the electronic exchange of transport information throughout the EU.
Why this matters for manufacturers and trading companies
Although much of the current work focuses on legislation and technical standards, the impact will be felt far beyond the logistics sector. Manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and exporters across Europe stand to benefit from a more efficient and transparent way of managing transport documentation.
Today, transport information is often exchanged through a mixture of paper documents, emails and proprietary digital systems. This creates administrative burdens, increases the risk of errors and makes compliance with regulatory requirements more complex, particularly for companies operating across multiple Member States.
The eFTI framework will enable transport information to be submitted digitally in a standardised format that can be accessed by competent authorities when required. As eFTI platforms become widely available and certified, businesses can expect:
- Reduced administrative workload through digital document management.
- Faster and more efficient regulatory inspections.
- Improved data quality and fewer manual data entry errors.
- Better integration between transport, warehouse and ERP systems.
- Greater consistency in cross-border transport processes within the European Union.
For companies with complex European supply chains, these developments support broader digitalisation initiatives while helping improve operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
Certification of eFTI platforms
A key element of the implementing legislation is the certification of eFTI platforms. Certification will ensure that platforms meet common European requirements for security, functionality, interoperability and reliability.
The first draft of the Delegated Act containing the certification requirements was shared with Member States in October 2025. Discussions demonstrated that additional refinement was necessary, leading the European Commission to organise a series of technical workshops beginning in January 2026.
These workshops bring together experts from Member States, national accreditation bodies and certification organisations. Their shared objective is to develop a certification methodology that can be applied consistently, practically and cost-effectively throughout the European Union.
In the Netherlands, the national contribution is being developed in close cooperation with organisations including the Dutch Accreditation Council (Raad voor Accreditatie) and the Dutch Association of Certification Bodies.
Next steps
In early July 2026, the European Commission published an updated version of the Delegated Act with further elaborated certification criteria. Following the incorporation of stakeholder feedback, the draft legislation will be opened for public consultation through the European Commission’s Have Your Say platform.
The substantive legislative process is expected to conclude later this year, with the Delegated Act anticipated to enter into force in spring 2027.
Alongside the legal framework, the Commission is also preparing a technical guidance document that will provide additional detail on the certification methodology.
Preparing for the digital future of freight transport
While certification is primarily aimed at eFTI platform providers, its successful implementation is equally important for companies that rely on freight transport as part of their business operations. Certified platforms will provide confidence that transport information can be exchanged securely, consistently and in accordance with EU legislation.
For manufacturers, trading companies and logistics partners, the continued development of the eFTI framework represents another important step towards fully digital freight transport. Organisations that begin assessing how eFTI fits within their digital transformation and supply chain strategies today will be well positioned to benefit once the framework becomes operational across the European Union.