29 Oct 2025
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Edition 89, October 2025 
A message from Alan Fedda | CEO These days there tends to be a day for everything, it was world Donut Day on 6 June, and I’m told that September 19 was International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Not sure how I missed that one. Some days are more salient than others so to mark World Standards Day on 14 October 2025 RISSB joined our colleagues at the National Transport Commission to host a World Standards Day webinar to highlight how vital standards are in driving national reform and shaping a more connected, efficient rail system. With over 360 participants joining the discussion, it was clear that there is a genuine interest across the rail sector to learn more about how the National Rail Action Plan and current rail reform program will strengthen our standards environment. I have previously discussed the decision at the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting on 11 August 2025 that endorsed a new RISSB to become the industry led technical standards setting body. This decision means a new RISSB will play a stronger role leading rail standards development ensuring the adoption of rail standards and driving harmonisation and interoperability. We are now working on transitioning to the new RISSB and to be ready for this new world. But there is a lot of work for us to do to ensure that we can meet the expectations of our new roles and responsibilities. We have commenced designing a standards prioritisation framework to ensure that our future work plans are defined by standards of national importance and those that should be harmonised. We’ve already had input from the NTC, ARA, ONRIC and a number of government jurisdictions on our draft and over the coming months we will be seeking further input from our members and industry. This is just the start of designing the new RISSB, with work also commencing on redesigning our standards development process to deliver stronger standards with greater technical competence. There will be more to share on this as this work develops. With all that we need to do, the support of our members, industry and governments is as important as ever and I thank you for your continued engagement and commitment. 
Key dates for RISSB 2025 AGM
The 2025 Annual General Meeting will be held on 27 November. The meeting will be hybrid, giving members the opportunity to attend either in person or online. We encourage member organisations with voting rights to participate in the annual general meeting process and to vote on important matters. As with previous virtual AGMs held by RISSB, voting will be performed via the completion of a voting proxy form that will be provided as part of the Member's AGM pack. The AGM information pack will be sent in early November. Record attendance for World Standards Day webinarRISSB’s World Standards Day MasterClass webinar — Driving national rail interoperability: A stronger role for RISSB in national rail standards development — drew over 360 participants, marking a record attendance for a RISSB webinar. Moderated by Alan Fedda, the session featured Michael Hopkins (NTC), Wayne Johnson (ARTC), and Lachlan McDonald (DTP Victoria) discussing the strengthened governance model that establishes RISSB as the industry-led technical standards setting body and its role in delivering harmonised and mandatory standards to drive national rail interoperability. A big thank you to everyone who joined us. If you missed it, the full recording is available now on RISSB’s website. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTAS 7523 Rolling Stock Emergency EquipmentRail accidents have demonstrated the importance of having adequate emergency equipment on rail vehicles. This Standard plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of passengers and crew in the event of an emergency. AS 7523 provides the rail industry clear and updated requirements for the emergency equipment that needs to be stored on board rolling stock. The Standard now has updated emergency equipment requirements to cater for new zero emission technologies such as hydrogen and battery power. Product in the news - Strengthening a standard to save livesIn the October issues of Rail Express magazine, read about how the updated AS 7520.1 – Body Structural Requirements – Locomotive enhances the protection of train crews and improves the crashworthiness of locomotives in the event of serious incidents. 
RISSB PRODUCT UPDATESHave your say on AS 7722 EMC ManagementAS 7722 EMC Management has been reviewed and updated by a Development Group consisting of industry specialists. The Standard defines requirements for the management of electromagnetic emissions and susceptibility of devices used in the railway so that all systems used in the railway are electromagnetically compatible. It provides a harmonised approach to the management of electromagnetic emissions in a railway operating environment so that all systems used in the railway align with Australian legislative requirements and international Standards. Current calls for Public ConsultationAS 7711 Signalling Principles AS 7507 Rolling Stock Outlines AS 7722 EMC Management AS 7660 Radio Communication in the Rail Corridor TRAINING AND EVENTSHorizons 7 is underway The seventh edition of RISSB’s Horizons Program kicked off this month, bringing together Australia’s emerging rail leaders for a journey of innovation, collaboration, and leadership. Over the coming months, participants will tackle real-world challenges, expand their networks, and explore the future of rail – with a focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation. The energy at the kick-off was electric, and we can’t wait to see the ideas, projects, and connections that will shape the next generation of rail leadership. Stay tuned for updates from Horizons 7! 
RISSB MasterClass WebinarsInnovation for risk reduction and driver well-being 
RISSB NETWORKExpressions of interest invited for human factors webinar The RISSB Human Factors Managers Group is inviting expressions of interest to present at a Human Factors (HF) webinar to be held late February/Early March 2026. The proposed theme is Human Factors in Emerging Technology. We’re keen to hear from people applying HF thinking and methods to the introduction of emerging and innovative technology in rail, as well as innovation in the design and application of HF analysis tools in a rail context. Presentations will be approximately 40 minutes inclusive of 10 minutes question time. The objective is raising understanding of the contribution HF and systems thinking approaches make to the rail industry, and the sharing of skills and knowledge with those who have an interest in or might benefit from applied rail HF. RISSB webinar explores sleep disorders and rail safety health standard On 30 September, RISSB hosted a highly engaging webinar on Understanding Sleep Disorders and the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers, drawing nearly 200 participants from across the industry. The session highlighted the critical link between sleep health and safety performance in the rail sector. Attendees gained practical insights into identifying and managing sleep disorders and how these intersect with the National Standard for Health Assessment, ensuring rail safety workers remain fit for duty. Industry professionals valued the evidence-based approach and the opportunity to discuss challenges and solutions directly with experts. The webinar reinforced RISSB’s ongoing commitment to advancing rail safety through knowledge-sharing, education, and alignment with national health standards. For those who missed the live session, a recording is available on the RISSB website, providing an accessible resource for all members looking to strengthen workplace safety. Industry's partner in co-regulation RISSB supports and works hand in hand with the Australian and New Zealand rail industry to provide the essential tools rail organisations need – good practice Standards, Codes, Guidelines and Rules.    
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