EU Regulation 2020/1056: Advancing Digitalization in Freight Transport and Logistics

The primary aim of this regulation is to encourage digitalization within freight transport and logistics.
By doing so, it intends to:
- Reduce administrative costs.
- Enhance enforcement capabilities of competent authorities.
- Improve the efficiency and sustainability of transport.
Challenges Addressed:
- Currently, a significant amount of freight transport information is exchanged in paper format.
This paper-based system results in:
- Administrative burden for logistics operators.
- Additional costs for logistics operators and related industries (such as trade and manufacturing).
- Negative environmental impact due to paper usage.
Uniform Legal Framework:
- The absence of a uniform legal framework at the Union level has hindered progress toward simplification and efficiency in information exchanges.
- This regulation establishes a common specification for competent authorities to accept relevant freight transport information in electronic form.
- By doing so, it facilitates communication between competent authorities and economic operators and promotes uniform business-to-business electronic communication across the Union.
Key Provisions:
- The regulation outlines requirements related to electronic freight transport information.
- It sets standards for the acceptance of electronic documents by competent authorities.
  The goal is to streamline processes, reduce paperwork, and enhance overall efficiency.

Customs