Practical approaches evolved over more than a century

Standardization via normalization: an old approach as relevant as ever.

As early as the 1890s, « various circulars issued revealed the efficient lobbying of Public Works Ministries by the newly-created Federation, particularly to promote the cause of normalization”... »

In May 1901, a Commission was actually set-up « tasked with codifying the catalogue of railway rolling stock and unifying the different types of equipment”, and even though old habits die hard as the saying goes, the Federation persevered all the same.

In February 1919, with the national reconstruction program well on course, the Federation and railway companies signed an agreement intended to eliminate the irregular pattern of contract adjudication timings, with « the management of railway companies agreeing to award their contracts simultaneously, as much as possible at the start of each year”.

The creation of a Central Office for rolling stock research (OCEM) marked a further step towards rolling-stock standardization.

The SNCF, set-up in 1937 as a Public Commercial and Industrial Entity (EPIC), contributed massively to the success of this initiative by committing itself to a voluntary policy of unification of the different types of rolling stock and of valorization of sector innovations.
The Railway Standardization Bureau (BNF) set up in 1994 at the instigation of SNCF, and within which the role of industrialists has gained in stature over the years, is now fully involved in the work of drafting European standards for the sector.

Showcasing the expertise of railway industries at international level

As from the Sixties onward, the Association embarked on a campaign to promote the expertise of Sector industries, backed in particular by a strong and frequent corporate presence at national and overseas railway expos. With the Europeanization, not to say globalization of the Sector, this form of action has had to be radically rethought and redefined in order for the Association to play a supporting role for its members at international level through the organization of bilateral seminars.

The legal framework of the rail sector experienced profound change during the Nineties with, at international level, the emergence of several European Directives and the adoption of  many railway packages, at national level, the creation of RFF (1997), the redefinition of the role of Regions as Transport Sponsoring Authorities since 2002, the increased role for conurbations with the strong comeback of tramways, all contributing to the solidity of the foundations laid for the railway system as it now exists.

The tasks and actions of the FIF have considerably expanded and diversified with the adjunction of the following roles:

- A benchmarking and steering role for members in the field of European technical harmonization, including in the R&D field, with correlatively an interfacing remit with the European institutions and particularly UNIFE, plus the development of essential cooperation with other national associations,
- A supporting role for deepening dialogue within the railway sector to help improve its competitiveness (contractual philosophy, definition of new benchmarks, experience feedback and management of know-how…).