The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) oversees rail traffic in the Netherlands. This includes the main railway network, trams and metros, and other railways. The ILT enforces regulations for safety on the railways and grants licences to railway companies and individuals who work on the railways, such as train drivers.
The ILT maintains a high level of safety on and around the railways by working closely with companies in the rail sector. For cross-border rail traffic, the ILT cooperates with the European Railway Agency (ERA). The ILT also recognises institutes that train and examine persons with a statutory safety function.
The ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat, IENW (Ministry for Infrastructure and Water Management) is the national safety authority for the railways. The ILT has been given a mandate as the National Safety Authority (NSA) to:
- Grant licences for the commissioning of equipment and infrastructure.
- Maintain the European Vehicle Register (EVR) in the Netherlands.
- Issue safety certificates and operating licences.
- Issue train driver licences.
The introduction of the Vierde Spoorwegpakket (fourth railway legislative package) in 2019 changed the role of ERA and the national licensing authorities. ERA and the ILT signed the agreement on the new cooperation on 25 April 2019 (in Dutch).