scope:

This module mandates the process for gaining acceptance of:

a) a new or modified controlled product that, where relevant aligns with the Network Rail challenge statements, that has been evaluated against the Rail Industry Readiness Levels (RIRL's) where;

technology readiness level (TRL) 6 is completed

Reliability Readiness Levels (RRL) 7 is completed as outlined in NR/L2/RSE/0005,

b) a change of application of a controlled product;

c) a change of manufacturer of a controlled product;

d) a change of operational environment for a controlled product;

e) a compatibility issue for Network Rail's infrastructure potentially caused by installation of a product not owned by Network Rail on the infrastructure.

NOTE 1: Information on RIRL's (along with how TRLs & RRL's align with these) can be found in Appendix A.

NOTE 2: NR/L2/RSE/0005 provides guidance on the Design for Reliability Process and RRL's.

NOTE 3: The Common Safety Method Risk Evaluation and Analysis (CSM RA) process is conducted throughout the product development and is mandated through other business processes.

NOTE 4: products shall be assessed to determine whether there is a requirement to progress as per the stage gates defined in the Product Development Framework. The Product Development Framework sets requirements for assessing items throughout the whole product lifecycle. Framework stage gate requirements can be found in Appendix B.

NOTE 5: Guidance on the products that require acceptance is available from the Product Acceptance process specialists, or via the Product Acceptance page on the Network Rail corporate website.

NOTE 6: Alignment with challenge statements will not apply to changes to existing approved products, such as the addition of minor componentry.

This module does not apply to: 1. civil engineering infrastructure, as defined in NR/L2/CIV/003, which includes:

a. structures (including equipment and support structures);

b. buildings and other civil engineering infrastructure that have been designed for a unique application;

2. non Network Rail owned trains and rolling stock;

3. depots, sidings and other facilities off the operational infrastructure.

NOTE 7: Network Rail equipment or products that are mounted on, or installed in, railway vehicles that Network Rail intends to use for its own purposes are included in the scope of this module.

The use of accepted products might also be subject to:

a) compliance with interoperability regulations for infrastructure projects described in NR/L2/RSE/100/03;

b) application of CSM RA, described in NR/L2/RSE/100/02.

NOTE 8: any technology based solution being developed for implementation on the operational railway, needs to be assessed using CSM RA.

NOTE 9: competence requirements for the people involved in applying CSM-RA can are located in Appendix C of NR/L2/RSE/100/02.

Purpose

This process provides assurance to the Network Rail Assurance Panel (NRAP) that products accepted for use on or about Network Rail infrastructure are:

a) safe;

b) compatible;

c) reliable;

d) fit for purpose; and

e) do not export unacceptable risks to Network Rail infrastructure .

The implementation of this standard helps to:

1. provide a systematic, structured and robust assessment of risks associated with hazards during product acceptance of products that have been modified or used in different applications in accordance with the common safety method (CSM) on risk evaluation and assessment;

2. confirm the safety requirements necessary to mitigate risks to an acceptable level have been determined; these include those contained in adopted standards;

3. confirm evidence that all identified safety requirements have been complied with and that safety measures are in place;

4. confirm that supporting conclusions and justifications have been suitably recorded.

It is part of a suite of modules governed by NRAP to provide appropriate review prior to projects, products and vehicles being brought into service.