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Transport managers will need extensive training and operators will have to meet higher standards if plans from Brussels come into force. Brussels is proposing regulations to make it tougher for rogue operators to gain access to the industry. They include stricter rules governing the transport manager's responsibilities and links with their companies, and tougher conditions of good repute, financial standing and professional competence.

The regulations will stipulate a minimum 140 hours'  training prior to the CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) exam and the accreditation of training and examination centres. Action on training standards is needed because the pass rate in CPC exams across the EU varies from 10% to 90%, according to the European Commission. Enforcement authorities will issue a warning to firms that do not satisfy the criteria of good repute, professional competence or financial competence. If a shortcoming is not put right within a specified period sanctions could include revocation of the company's O-licence and disqualification of its transport manager.

The proposals also include a pan-European electronic network to make it easier to target persistent offenders, with road traffic offences in any member state being recorded throughout the EU. There will be a new cabotage regime: international operators delivering to another member state will  be restricted to three domestic operations within seven days. "The proposal is designed to prevent operators running empty into another member state looking for work," says Joan Williams, head of freight policy and enforcement at the Freight Transport Association.

The proposed regulations from the European Commission and the Council of Ministers will replace Directive 96/26/EC governing entry to the industry. The FTA contributed to last year's consultation process and Williams welcomes the outcome: "Great Britain had taken the original Directive and transposed it into national regulations for acquiring an O-licence which are more robust than in many parts of Europe. We said this could be a good model for the rest of Europe." The proposed regulation has not yet gone before the European Parliament but Williams says there is the "political will" to push it through.