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  • Product acceptance

  • What is product acceptance?

    The product acceptance process provides assurance to Network Rail that products when accepted for use on or about our infrastructure are:
    a) Safe
    b) Fit for purpose
    c) Do not export unacceptable risks to Network Rail infrastructure

    Only accepted products - except as allowed by NR/L2/RSE/100/05 - shall be used on the rail infrastructure.

    Do I need to apply for acceptance?

    Network Rail standard NR/L2/RSE/100/05, Product introduction and change, governs the process for the acceptance of products for use on or as part of our infrastructure. This includes:

    • New or modified products, materials, equipment, and systems
    • Changes of application
    • Road rail vehicles or attachments, and rail mounted machines, on-track machines, road plant and portable and transportable work equipment that could affect or interact with the infrastructure

    Please refer to NR/L2/RSE/100/06, How to decide what needs product acceptance, for more detail on the products that this process applies to.

    Please see Accessing Network Rail standards for contractors and suppliers for information on standards.

    How to find an approved product

    There are more than 85,000 products accepted for use on Network Rail infrastructure.

    The catalogue of accepted products is available in the Parts and Drawings System (PADS), which can be accessed through www.padsnet.co.uk. 

    PADS data is managed by Network Rail. This includes the creation and revision of PADS numbers.

    How to apply for product acceptance

    If you wish to introduce a new product or make changes to an already accepted product; you will need to provide justification for the introduction or change by demonstrating monetary, safety and/or performance benefits to Network Rail.

    To apply for product acceptance, please complete our online application form.

    The acceptance of products is subject to standard product acceptance terms and conditions which are available in the sample Certificate of Acceptance.

    Sponsors

    All applications require a Network Rail employee to act as sponsor. This is to prove that there is a business need for the product, and also to ensure that the product can be successfully introduced to the business.

    Please download and read our Guide to product acceptance so that the responsibilities of the role are understood.

    Supplier quality assurance

    Suppliers and manufacturers of controlled products are required to engage in our supplier quality assurance process.