The governance structure of CER is composed of three main bodies, ensuring a steady flow of communication between CER and its members. These bodies have regular meetings at chief executive and working levels.
CER Management Committee
The Management Committee makes recommendations to the General Assembly. It consists of the CER Chair, four Vice-Chairs and further members elected by the General Assembly. The size of the Management Committee is limited to a maximum of 16 members.
CER General Assembly
The General Assembly is the CER's decision-making body. All member organisations take one seat and are represented by their Chief Executive or Director General. The General Assembly takes strategic decisions and gives the CER team guidance on how to advance on specific policy issues.
CER Assistants Group
CER members are represented by their International or European Affairs Managers in the CER Assistants group. This liaison group helps to facilitate the continuous exchange of information between CER and its members.
Besides the gatherings of these bodies, CER also arranges further meetings and working groups to discuss specific issues. All members affected are invited to take part in these discussions.
High-Level Meetings
Separate meetings are held at least once a year with Chief Executives from passenger, freight and infrastructure companies to discuss specific issues affecting their business areas. In the field of social affairs, there are also dedicated meetings of Human Resource Directors.
CER Working Groups
The working groups of CER are made up of members of the CER Assistants group or other experts delegated by member companies. The main working groups are (in alphabetical order):
- Customer Liaison Group
- Customs Working Group
- Economics and Taxation Group
- Environment and Energy Strategy Group
- CER ERA Steering Unit (and various working groups on interoperability and safety)
- Freight Focus Group
- HR Policies Working Group
- Infrastructure Interest Group
- Legal Working Group
- Passenger Working Group
- Security Working Group
- Social Dialogue Working Group
All groups meet on a regular and/or ad-hoc basis.
Building bridges
Internally CER follows the principle that opinions of all members are taken into consideration. CER has long-standing experience demonstrating that there is always a way to find compromises among various members’ positions when a principle of mutual respect applies. In the same spirit, every member has access to every working group in our association. CER is always open to new members.
