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In an urgent letter to the European Commission, ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵis calling for a six-month EU-wide enforcement grace period for the EU¡¯s new customs import control system for goods moved by road (ICS2 release 3), warning of major disruptions at external land borders from 1 September 2025.

Following several intermediary milestones for the retrofitting of the smart tachograph version 2 (G2V2), the final deadline for heavy-duty vehicles has arrived.

The Upply x Ti x ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵstudy on European road freight rates has found that the contract and spot rate indexes converged at 132.2 in Q2 2025. The benchmark spot rate index declined by 2.2 points quarter on quarter (q-o-q), while the contract rate index inched up by 1.2 points over the same period. Year on year (y-o-y), spot rates are down by 2.0 points, whereas contract rates have risen slightly by 0.7 points. Spot rates are now at their lowest level since Q4 2023.

The European travel and tourism sector has expressed deep concern over the European Commission¡¯s recent proposal to increase the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel authorisation fee from EUR 7 to EUR 20 per application, nearly a threefold increase compared to the original amount agreed in 2018.

At today¡¯s high-level dialogue on accelerating the transition to zero-emission corporate fleets in the EU, IRU¡¯s President stressed the importance of removing real-world barriers, rather than imposing damaging, counterproductive mandates.

The European Commission¡¯s proposal to extend toll exemptions for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles is a welcome step but broader Eurovignette reforms are still urgently needed.

Strengthening Brazil¡¯s logistics, accelerating decarbonisation, and implementing the TIR system were at the heart of a high-level meeting between IRU, NTC&Log¨ªstica and Brazil¡¯s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵwelcomes progress on the Package Travel Directive but urges fairer rules for coach tourism operators.

As the EU looks to strengthen working conditions, invest in skills, and modernise infrastructure, ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵand UNTRR met EU Executive VP Roxana M?nzatu to discuss practical solutions for drivers and operators alike.

Road transport operators are beginning to invest in new vehicles. But for the decarbonisation transition to succeed, the sector needs clear, coordinated support. EU policymakers and road transport industry leaders are coming together to debate practical and scalable solutions to deliver environmental and economic benefits at IRU¡¯s high-level event tomorrow in Brussels.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵwelcomes today¡¯s vote by the European Parliament¡¯s Transport and Tourism Committee endorsing the provisional Driving Licence Directive agreement reached during trilogue. This follows recent formal approval by the Council¡¯s Committee of Permanent Representatives, the first of the EU co-legislators to back the deal. The reform responds to long-standing industry calls to address driver shortages and promote the digitalisation of driving licences while upholding high road safety standards.

The Upply x Ti x ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵEuropean road freight rates index for Europe shows that Q1 2025 contract rates fell by 2.3 points quarter on quarter (q-o-q). Spot rates declined more sharply, 3.8 points q-o-q. However, the spot index was up by 1.6 points, and the contract index rose by 0.4 points, year on year (y-o-y).

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵand the European Transport Workers¡¯ Federation (ETF) have urged European Commission leaders to support the road transport sector by urgently clarifying how EU rules on posted driver pay are applied by Member States.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵwelcomes Germany¡¯s coalition agreement as a step forward for a pragmatic and enabling approach to decarbonising commercial road transport. But the lack of concrete support measures for clean fuels alongside zero-emission vehicles is a missed opportunity.

The European Commission¡¯s proposal for the revision of the Roadworthiness Package is a timely and necessary step to modernise outdated EU rules. It strikes a positive balance between enhancing road safety and embracing digital solutions, while avoiding unnecessary burdens for commercial road transport operators.

IRU¡¯s latest global truck driver shortage report is out. While unfilled positions in 2024 were similar to 2023 due to easing transport demand, alarming figures show a widening age chasm between young and older driver employment rates. But salaries and job satisfaction remain high.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵand Lease Europe brought together EU lawmakers and industry leaders in Strasbourg today to chart a realistic path forward to green corporate fleets.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵwelcomes the EU¡¯s targeted amendment introducing flexibility for manufacturers to reach car and van CO? emission reduction targets, but calls for a broader, accelerated revision to support realistic decarbonisation.

Third-country drivers working in the European Union deserve full respect and support.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵwelcomes the provisional agreement reached following trilogue negotiations between EU institutions on the revision of the EU Driving Licence Directive. The outcome reflects long-standing priorities of the road transport sector and supports efforts to ensure road safety and alleviate the growing shortage of professional drivers.

Iraq is set to reap the benefits of the global TIR transit system when it goes live next week in the country, marking a new era in international logistics and trade.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵwelcomes the European Commission¡¯s Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector, particularly the focus on incentives and better infrastructure access to support commercial road transport operators¡¯ uptake of zero-emission vehicles. However, ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵremains deeply concerned about the lack of technology options for road transport ¨C only battery-electric technology is promoted as a clean solution ¨C and the potential purchasing mandates for corporate fleets.

Over 20 organisations have called on the European Commission to conduct an early, technology-neutral revision of the CO? standard regulations, and provide the enabling conditions and incentives needed for a further uptake of clean vehicles.

The Clean Industrial Deal recognises the role of competitiveness in achieving decarbonisation goals. However, it overlooks critical sectors that support manufacturing and provide essential clean mobility services. Ensuring all decarbonisation solutions are implemented in a cost-effective manner is equally essential.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵjoined the European Commission and industry leaders at the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry today, reinforcing the need for a realistic approach to the clean mobility transition.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵand industry partners have signed an open letter urging EU Member States and the European Commission to preserve and strengthen dedicated European transport funding in the next EU budget. The call comes as discussions intensify on the EU¡¯s Multiannual Financial Framework review, which will shape the bloc¡¯s budget priorities for the coming years.

The Upply x Ti x ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵEuropean road freight rates index shows that the contract index rose by 2.8 points quarter on quarter (q-o-q) in Q4 2024, while the spot rate index increased by 0.5 points. Year on year (y-o-y), the spot and contract indices are down by 1.0 point and 1.4 points, respectively.

A competitive and green EU automotive sector needs action on both the demand and supply sides. European Commission President von der Leyen has missed a major opportunity in not including commercial road transport operators in kicking off her new strategy today.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵwelcomes Member States¡¯ decision reached in the Road Transport Committee to introduce a two-month grace period for the EU¡¯s upcoming legal retrofitting deadline. This provides critical support operators urgently need.

IRU, together with the Network for Sustainable Mobility, has raised serious concerns about the European Commission¡¯s announced ¡°Greening of Corporate Fleets¡± proposal.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵhas joined a coalition of EU trade stakeholders urging a more efficient and harmonised Union Customs Code which would enhance trade facilitation and address existing inefficiencies in customs procedures across the EU.

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵand the F¨¦d¨¦ration Internationale de l¡¯Automobile (FIA) have signed a new MoU, refuelling their long-standing commitment to sustainable transport, road safety and cross-border mobility.

At the European Parliament today, Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) met with travel and tourism industry leaders to advance strategies for enhancing sustainability and resilience within the sector.

The Council of the European Union¡¯s adoption of its general approaches on passenger rights enforcement and multimodal journey regulation marks a significant step forward in safeguarding passengers and supporting operators. ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵwelcomes, in particular, the clarification of the scope and the realistic extension of reimbursement deadlines. However, critical gaps remain, including the need to consider the unique position of small enterprises and set clearer rules on intermediary liability.

The European Parliament has advanced the CountEmissionsEU proposal, setting the stage for trilogue negotiations, recognising road transport needs, especially for SMEs.