How to become a member?

Each country of the European Union that wants to strive together for safer roads and high grade enforcement, can become a member of Euro Contrôle Route. With great enthusiasm ECR wants to welcome all interested countries either as an observer or full member.

More insight in the possibilities and the procedures to follow can be found below.

 Candidate observer-country

  • The candidate observer announces itself via the ECR secretariat.

  • The ECR secretariat sends the necessary information on ECR to the country involved.

  • The steering committee decides on the approval of the candidate country.

  • The protocol is signed by the competent Minister of the acceding country after this accession has been approved by the steering committee.

What is a passive observer

  • The candidate-observer is interested in the functioning of ECR and becomes a passive observer for a maximum period of 12 months.

  • No contribution is due during this period.

  • During or after expiry of the 12-month period or after a possible extension agreed by the steering committee, the passive observer addresses an official letter, expressing its wish to join ECR, and undertaking to sign the Administrative Arrangement and pay the annual contribution. This letter must be signed by an administrative authority authorised to bind the Ministry responsible for transport.

  • The passive observer has no voting right within ECR.

 What is an active observer

  • After receipt of a letter referred and payment of the annual contribution, the country involved becomes an active observer for a maximum period of 24 months.

  • Within this period, the country involved does everything in its power so that the competent Minister signs the AA as soon as possible.

  • The steering committee can decide on a possible extension of the active observer status after the 24-month period, on condition that the intention and efforts to accede can be really demonstrated.

  • However, the 24-month period can be extended for the country which is not yet a member of the European Union. The countries involved then do everything in their power so that the competent Minister signs the Administrative Arrangement as soon as possible, once it becomes a member of the European Union.

  • The active observer has no voting right within ECR

What is a member

  • After the signing of the accession protocol and payment of the annual contribution, the country involved becomes a member of ECR.