eCMR is now available in Austria

In Austria, where the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR) on the electronic consignment note was ratified this summer, this document can now officially be used.

The relevant regulation came into force in Austria on 4 November this year, as reported by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO).

"From this point onwards, the e-CMR is equivalent to a physical CMR consignment note, provided that the requirements of the additional protocol are met," emphasises the CCI.

The Chamber clarifies that carriers have the option to use either the electronic or the traditional paper version of the consignment note.

"It is still possible to use the "normal" CMR consignment note in paper form," adds the WKO.

According to Article 5 of the Additional Protocol, parties to the contract of carriage must agree on procedures and implementation to satisfy the requirements of this Protocol and the Convention, particularly regarding:

1. the method of issuing and delivering the electronic consignment note to the authorised party; 
2. ensuring the integrity of the electronic consignment note;
3. the means for the holder of rights under the electronic consignment note to demonstrate those rights;
4. the method for confirming delivery to the consignee; 
5. procedures for supplementing or amending the electronic consignment note; 
6. procedures for potentially exchanging the electronic consignment note for one issued by other means.

These procedures must be specified in the electronic consignment note and should be easily accessible