Is UIC 70021 the same as a Country Code?

No. While they are related, the Country Code (UIC 920-14) identifies the nation, whereas UIC 70021 (RICS) identifies the specific company operating within or across those nations.

How does a new company get a RICS code?

A company must apply through the UIC (International Union of Railways). Once verified as a legal rail-related entity, they are assigned a unique 4-digit code and added to the central database.

Where can I see this code on a train?

While the 12-digit vehicle number is the most visible, the company code is embedded in the RFID tags, barcodes on shipping documents, and the digital systems used by the driver.

UIC Leaflet 70021: Standard Numerical Coding of Railway Organizations

UIC Leaflet 70021 establishes the standardized numerical coding for the identification of railway infrastructure managers and undertakings. It provides the four-digit Railway International Code System (RICS) used to identify legal entities in data exchanges, ensuring that every operator and network manager can be uniquely identified across international borders.

October 31, 2023 10:54 pm

What is UIC Leaflet 70021?

UIC Leaflet 70021 is a foundational technical standard within the Information Technology domain of railway operations. It defines the numerical coding system used to identify Railway Undertakings (RUs), Infrastructure Managers (IMs), and other companies involved in the rail chain.

In an open-access market, where multiple companies share the same tracks, it is critical for Interoperability that every entity has a unique digital “ID.” This code is widely known as the RICS Code (Railway International Code System).

The RICS Code Structure

The coding logic defined in UIC 70021 is designed to be simple, unique, and permanent. The standard establishes:

Four-Digit Format: Every company is assigned a unique four-digit number (e.g., 0080 for DB, 0087 for SNCF, 0070 for Network Rail).
Entity Identification: Distinguishes between the company that owns the tracks (Infrastructure Manager) and the company that operates the trains (Railway Undertaking).
Central Database: UIC maintains a global registry of these codes to ensure that Data Exchange between different national systems remains consistent.

Applications in Rail Operations

The code defined in UIC 70021 is a mandatory field in almost all Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) protocols, including:

TAF TSI Compliance: Under the European TAF TSI (Telematics Applications for Freight), the RICS code is used to identify the “Lead Railway Undertaking” for a specific transport mission.
Vehicle Keeper Marking (VKM): The code is often cross-referenced with the VKM found on Rolling Stock to identify the entity responsible for maintenance.
Billing and Invoicing: It allows Infrastructure Management to accurately bill different operators for track usage (access charges) based on automated train detection.

Importance for Logistics and Safety

By standardizing company identification, UIC 70021 facilitates:

Seamless Border Crossings: Customs and border authorities use these codes to quickly identify the carrier and legal responsible party for a train’s cargo.
Safety Reporting: In the event of an incident, the unique code allows for the immediate identification of all parties involved, streamlining the investigation and reporting process.