What you need to know about eFTI
Eliminating paper from freight transport documents is an ambitious project that dates back to the early days of microcomputers. This vision has existed ever since Alan Turing stopped using his genius to decrypt Enigma in favor of more abstract problems. His colleagues quickly recognized the potential of the nascent computer industry to revolutionize documentation.
However, forty years after the first commercial microcomputer, only the bill of lading and a handful of other documents have managed to break free from their paper shackles. Large-scale digitization remains limited. Despite APIs, ERPs, TOSs, and other acronyms widely used in the supply chain, digital applications remain rare in meeting state regulatory requirements. The paper-intensive era persists in 2025.
The economic impact of digital transformation
The automation of logistics documents is at the heart of this transformation. At the European level, the evolution of the system is based on strong political will. The economic need for growth and competitiveness in the EU economy is becoming paramount. The European Commission projects that the logistics sector could save €27 billion over the next 20 years, according to 2018 estimates.
European regulations now apply in this area (EU Official Journal). In practical terms, states must be able to check administrative documents digitally from 2024 onwards. This obligation directly affects private entities. Digital transformation requires the involvement of IT service providers and developers to implement the appropriate systems and procedures.
The drivers of practice transformation
Economic and operational factors
Logistics document automation helps reduce administrative workload and costs.
- Reduced administrative burden for logistics operators
- Optimized administrative costs for logistics operators and related activities (commerce, manufacturing)
- Reduced environmental impact thanks to digitization
Improved control and monitoring
- Improved control and monitoring (status → company or company → service provider)
- Optimization of controls by states (speed, tracking of goods, cross-referencing of data for statistical purposes)
- Facilitating access to data for businesses (goods location, CO₂ balance)
- Removal of obstacles faced by businesses in the current context
Potential barriers to transformation
Structural resistances
- The more steps and intermediaries there are, the more margin there is to be found.
- The more transparency there is, the less parallel economies can operate.
- The more information systems there are, the less chance there is that small players will survive, and the more we tend toward conglomerates.
Review of developments between 2015 and 2022
The foundation stone was laid in 2015 with the creation of a committee of experts reporting to the European Commission (EC). The DTLF (Digital Transport and Logistics Forum) is not just another acronym from the sometimes NSFW world of the internet. This working group brings together members from different backgrounds in sub-groups that produce deliverables. These documents form the raw material for drafting regulations.
Composition of the DTLF working group
Members of the working group
- European experts consulted for their expertise, e.g. Nico WAUTERS
- European experts called upon as representatives of a common interest, e.g. Ulrika Hurt
- Organizations in the broad sense, e.g., Atos SE
- Member States, e.g. Czech Republic
- Other public entities, e.g., ministries, UN
Organization into specialized subgroups
The working group broke down the issue into three sub-groups and several separate teams.
Subgroup I - Paperless transport
This group is leading the discussion on the ineffectiveness of paper at a time when information is stored digitally.
- Data model: Definition of eFTI datasets and eFTI sub-datasets within the framework of EU requirements
- Functional aspects: Definition of procedures for making information available from one actor to another
- Technical aspects: Definition of the technical architecture of the future eFTI environment
- Certification & implementation: Definition of the regulatory framework governing eFTI platforms and their managers
Subgroup II - Freight corridor information systems
This group establishes the characteristics of an information exchange network covering all players in the supply chain.
- Plug & play: Definition of concepts and procedures for connecting and exchangingdata
- Technology-independent services: Creation of the platform that will serve as the foundation for process deployment, stakeholder interactions, and regulatory compliance.
- Federation of platforms: Implementation of interoperability between platforms to neutralize differences intechnological choices.
- Trusted, safe, and secure: Definition of the governance that will govern data exchanges and the protocols used (including P2P)
Subgroup III - Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) Delegated Acts
This subgroup was formalized on September 13, 2018, by a decision of the EC. By definition, delegated acts are legal acts (secondary legislation) that form part of the governance of the European Union. They are consistent with the European treaties (primary legislation).
The delegated act on eFTI follows on from Regulation 2020/1056 of July 15, 2020, which has been in force since August 20, 2020. It sets out detailed measures and will enter into force if the Parliament and the Council do not object.
Timeline and transition of mandates
Subgroup I's term of office has come to an end (2015-2018) and it has handed over to Subgroup III (2020-2023). The first working session of SG3 took place on November 8, 2021.
What happened between 2018 and 2020? The question remains open, but SGI meetings were held until the end of 2019. SG III is now fully operational and POCs (Proof of Concept) are flourishing across Europe.
Outlook for 2025 and beyond
Logistics document automation is now essential. In October 2025, the digital transformation of freight transport in Europe will enter a crucial phase. Member states must now be able to process administrative documents digitally. This development represents a major turning point for the entire European logistics sector.
