Luxembourg accedes to e-CMR (electronic consignment note) as 14th country gearing up to facilitate trade through easier, more efficient shipments of goods in preparation for fully digital road transport operations.
The news follows the recent launch of a three-year e-CMR pilot project to test the system in the Benelux. The pilot project will enable the Benelux countries to gain experience of e-CMR cross border operations, testing day-to-day procedures and practical use while also assessing the legal infrastructure required for application.
IRU Secretary General, Umberto de Pretto, said “The future of mobility is digital and Luxembourg’s accession to e-CMR is a new milestone for innovation. No country is too big or too small when it comes to digitalisation. Everyone reaps the benefits of an efficient and user-friendly system, and this important step will encourage more countries worldwide to join.
Rules for transporting goods internationally are covered by the United Nations Convention for the carriage of goods or CMR. Transport operators, drivers and those receiving shipments use a CMR consignment note containing information on the goods being shipped, the shipper, transporter and receiver. Until recently, CMR notes were only issued in paper form.
In February 2008, a protocol was added to the CMR Convention concerning the use of the electronic consignment note. This protocol entered into force on 5 June 2011, and to date 14 countries have acceded including: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Iran, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.