Division V Suitability for use (interoperability of service)

The suitability for use of interoperability constituents is assessed by operation or use of the constituents in service, integrated representatively into the EETS toll system (including test environments) of the toll charger(s) on whose domain the on-board equipment must circulate over a specified operation time. The assessment of suitability for use may include tests predefined in the EETS domain statement or pilots with real users. The toll charger or its authorised representative as well as the EETS provider, the manufacturer or an authorised representative and the notified body to which the EETS provider applied to, shall comply with each step of the suitability-for-use assessment based on measurable criteria or parameters defined in the EETS domain statement in accordance with Annex II.

To carry out such an assessment by means of in-service experience for demonstrating the in-service interoperability of the constituents, the manufacturer, EETS provider or an authorised representative shall either collaborate directly with the toll charger(s) or apply to a notified body, subject to requirements in points (a) and (b). The relevant toll charger may require that tests and/or pilots are carried out by means of the infrastructure provided for by the toll charger, regardless of whether the EETS provider choses to directly collaborate with the toll charger or applies to a notified body.

1. (a)

   Where the EETS provider collaborates directly with the toll charger(s) on whose domain the on-board equipment shall circulate:

   The manufacturer, EETS provider or an authorised representative shall:

   1. (1)

      provide for tests or place in service one or more specimens representative of the interoperability constituent(s), as required by the toll charger(s);

   2. (2)

      monitor the in-service behaviour of the interoperability constituent(s) by a procedure agreed and surveyed by the toll charger(s);

   3. (3)

      give evidence to the toll charger(s) that the interoperability constituents meet all the interoperability requirements of this (these) Toll Charger(s);

   4. (4)

      draw up a declaration of suitability for use, conditional to obtaining a suitability for use attestation delivered by the toll charger(s). The declaration of suitability for use covers the assessment by the toll charger(s) of the suitability for use of the EETS interoperability constituents within the EETS environment of this (these) Toll Charger(s);

   The toll charger shall:

   1. (1)

      clearly define the programme for validation by in-service experience

   2. (2)

      approve the monitoring procedure of the in-service behaviour in its toll domains and carry out specific verifications;

   3. (3)

      assess the in-service interoperability with its system;

   4. (4)

      attest the suitability for use on its toll domains in cases where the behaviour of the interoperability constituents is successful.

2. (b)

   Where the EETS provider applies to a notified body, the manufacturer, EETS provider or an authorised representative shall:

   1. (1)

      provide for tests or place in service one or more specimens representative of the interoperability constituent(s), as required and specified by the toll charger(s);

   2. (2)

      monitor the in-service behaviour of the interoperability constituents using a procedure approved and surveyed by the notified body.

   3. (3)

      provide evidence to the notified body that the interoperability constituent(s) meet(s) all the interoperability requirements of the toll charger(s), including the results of in-service experience;

   4. (4)

      draw up the ‘EC’ declaration of suitability-for-use, conditional to obtaining a suitability-for-use certificate delivered by the notified body. The ‘EC’ declaration of suitability for use covers the assessment/judgement by the notified body of the suitability for use of the EETS interoperability constituents, considered within the EETS domain and environment of the selected toll charger(s) and, particularly in cases where interfaces are involved, in relation to the technical specifications, particularly those of a functional nature, which are to be checked;

   The notified body shall:

   1. (1)

      take into consideration the ‘EC’ declaration of conformity to specifications as well as the requirements laid down in the EETS domain statement of the toll charger(s).

   2. (2)

      organise collaboration with the relevant toll charger(s);

   3. (3)

      verify the technical documentation and the programme for validation by in-service experience;

   4. (4)

      approve the monitoring procedure of the in-service behaviour and carry out specific surveillance;

   5. (5)

      assess in-service interoperability with toll charger systems and operational processes;

   6. (6)

      issue a suitability-for-use certificate in cases where the behaviour of the interoperability constituents is successful;

   7. (7)

      issue an explanatory report in case where the behaviour of the interoperability constituent(s)is unsuccessful. The report shall also consider problems that may arise because of non-compliance of a toll charger’s systems and processes with relevant standards and technical specifications. If appropriate, the report shall make recommendations with a view to resolving the problems.