Convention concerning International Carriage of Goods by Rail Document type Multilateral Field of application Regional/restricted Date May 9, 1980 Source IUCN (ID: TRE-001171) Title (French) Convention relative aux transports internationaux ferroviaires (COTIF) Title (Other) Übereinkommen über den internationalen Eisenbahnverkehr Place of adoption Berne Depository Switzerland Language English Entry into force May 1, 1985 Subject Environment gen. Abstract Objective: To institute an international organisation concerning international carriage by Rail to establish an uniform system of law applicable to the carriage of passengers, luggage, goods in international traffic by rail between Member States. Summary of provisions: Parties undertake to constitute as Member States the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) (art. 1.1). Uniform Rules concerning Contract for International Carriage of Passengers (CIV) and Goods (CIM) form respectively Appendices A and B to the Convention. Institutional mechanisms: The functioning of the Organisation is to be ensured by several organs, namely, the General Assembly, the Administrative Committee, the Revision Committee, the Committee of Experts on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and the Central Office for International Carriage by Rail (art. 5 10). A specific procedure for arbitration is set up under Title III (art. 12-16). (Source: IUCN ELC, 08.2005) ARTICLE 24 § 2. The entry into force of the Convention shall have the effect of abrogating the International Conventions concerning the Carriage of Goods by Rail (CIM) and the Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Rail (CIV) of 7 February 1970 as well as the Additional Convention to the CIV relating to the Liability of the Railway for Death of and Personal Injury to Passengers of 26 February 1966. Full text English French Website otif.org Country/Territory/Participant See Expanded View Show Map Countries Entry into force Ratification * Simple signature Albania May 1, 1985 Jun 1, 1984 [2] - Algeria Mar 1, 1992 Nov 28, 1991 [1] Dec 23, 1980 Austria May 1, 1985 Mar 8, 1983 [1] May 9, 1980 Belgium May 1, 1985 Jun 2, 1983 [1] Jun 12, 1980 Bosnia and Herzegovina Oct 1, 1996 Aug 5, 1996 [2] - Bulgaria May 1, 1985 Jul 15, 1982 [1] May 9, 1980 Croatia Dec 1, 1992 Sep 30, 1992 [2] - Czech Republic Feb 1, 1994 Dec 13, 1993 [2] - Denmark May 1, 1985 Jun 18, 1981 [1] May 9, 1980 Finland May 1, 1985 Aug 15, 1984 [1] May 9, 1980 France May 1, 1985 Sep 3, 1982 [3] May 9, 1980 Germany May 1, 1985 Feb 27, 1985 [1] May 9, 1980 Greece Nov 1, 1986 Sep 23, 1986 [1] May 13, 1980 Hungary May 1, 1985 Jan 14, 1982 [1] May 9, 1980 Iran, Islamic Republic of Oct 1, 1985 Apr 12, 1985 [1] May 9, 1980 Iraq May 1, 1985 Nov 8, 1984 [1] Sep 22, 1980 Ireland Nov 1, 1986 Sep 9, 1986 [1] Dec 23, 1980 Italy May 1, 1985 Mar 1, 1985 [1] May 9, 1980 Latvia Sep 1, 2000 Feb 23, 2000 [2] - Lebanon May 1, 1985 Dec 1, 1983 [1] May 9, 1980 Liechtenstein May 1, 1985 Jan 30, 1985 [1] May 22, 1980 Lithuania Nov 1, 1995 Sep 21, 1995 [2] - Luxembourg May 1, 1985 Jul 27, 1987 [1] May 9, 1980 Monaco Jun 1, 1996 Feb 27, 1996 [2] - Morocco Feb 1, 1990 Dec 6, 1989 [2] - Netherlands Aug 1, 1987 Jun 2, 1987 [1] May 9, 1980 North Macedonia Feb 1, 2010 Aug 21, 2008 [2] - Norway May 1, 1985 Jan 15, 1982 [3] May 9, 1980 Poland May 1, 1985 Sep 12, 1984 [1] May 9, 1980 Portugal May 1, 1985 Jan 7, 1985 [1] May 9, 1980 Romania Nov 1, 1986 Jul 7, 1986 [1] Dec 11, 1980 Russian Federation Jan 1, 2004 Sep 11, 2003 [2] - Serbia May 1, 1985 Jun 14, 1983 [1] May 9, 1980 Slovakia Aug 1, 2001 Jan 24, 2001 [2] - Slovenia Jun 1, 1994 Mar 24, 1994 [2] - Spain Feb 1, 1993 Dec 15, 1992 [2] - Sweden May 1, 1985 Jan 15, 1982 [1] Nov 27, 1980 Switzerland May 1, 1985 Mar 25, 1985 [1] May 9, 1980 Syrian Arab Republic May 1, 1985 Nov 8, 1983 [1] May 9, 1980 Tunisia Dec 1, 1985 Oct 11, 1985 [1] May 9, 1980 Turkey May 1, 1985 Jul 2, 1984 [1] May 9, 1980 Ukraine Oct 1, 1985 Jun 20, 1985 [1] Dec 29, 1980 United Kingdom May 1, 1985 May 10, 1983 [1] May 9, 1980 * [1] Ratification [2] Accession/approbation [3] Acceptance/approval [4] Succession [5] Consent to be bound [6] Definite signature reset zoom out zoom in References - Treaties Enables Protocol of 3 June 1999 for the Modification of the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) of 9 May 1980 (1999 Protocol) Treaty | Multilateral | Vilnius | Jun 3, 1999 Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-148481)