Directive 2014/47/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, dated April 3, 2014, is a crucial regulation aimed at ensuring the safety of road transport throughout Europe. This directive emphasizes the importance of load securing, which, according to the given definition, is intended to prevent the tipping or overturning of the load. Poor load securing practices can lead to serious road accidents, and therefore, this directive is implemented to minimize these risks.
Load securing is a technical process that aims to stabilize the load on a vehicle during transport. This can be achieved through various methods, ranging from the use of straps, chains, cables, and load bars to pallet wrapping films, and more complex methods such as the installation of restraining partitions. The main objective is to limit the movement of the load during transport, thereby preventing tipping or overturning, which can cause accidents or material damage.
Directive 2014/47/EU introduced strict obligations for carriers regarding load securing. These rules are mandatory, and failure to comply with these provisions can result in severe penalties, including the immobilization of the vehicle and the cargo.
In France, as in many other European countries, this directive has been transposed into national law through a decree. This means that carriers must comply with the load securing requirements according to local regulations, which are in line with the European directive.
In case of non-compliance with the load securing rules stipulated by the directive, the penalties can be severe. One of the most common penalties is the immobilization of the vehicle until the situation is rectified. This can result in significant delays in transportation and therefore additional costs for the carrier and stakeholders. Additionally, fines can be imposed for non-compliance with the rules.