IRU Position on the use of the European Modular Concept, adopted by the IRU Goods Transport Liaison Committee to the EU, (2007)

The IRU highlights that the European Modular Concept offers a number of advantages such as increased efficiency, the possibility to transport the same load with fewer vehicles, increased capacity and compatibility with other freight modes, less fuel consumption, reduced CO2 emissions and reduced road wear due to a higher number of axles and a reduced weight per axle. Nevertheless, the concept may not be applicable throughout the EU at this stage. The IRU therefore encourages EU Member States to undertake proper tests with the modular concept and EU institutions to work on harmonised weights and dimensions within the EU to allow for better rather than more transport and promote multimodality.