The European foundations: eFTI and NIS2

eFTI: the shift from “show the document” to “show the information”

eFTI (electronic Freight Transport Information) is a European regulation that obliges all member states to accept digital documentation. This legislation provides a framework for supplying transport information digitally to competent authorities. Crucially, it is not about introducing one new document or a single new PDF standard, but about a shift: from a document culture to a data culture. Where inspections traditionally revolved around being able to hand over the consignment note, the logic is shifting toward being able to demonstrate the underlying information—quickly, reliably, and verifiably.

The benefits of this shift are significant. Less paper means fewer manual steps, fewer transcription errors, and less time lost during checks. In addition, eFTI lays the foundation for interoperability: in principle, systems across the chain can consult the same data, as long as that data is recorded consistently and can be made available in a standardized way.

But that is also precisely why practice remains complex. eFTI mainly harmonizes how data is shared, while which data is required in specific situations is, in many cases, defined nationally or sector-specifically. This is also why e‑CMR is so relevant: e‑CMR helps you tightly organize the core road transport information. That way, eFTI does not become “an extra compliance project,” but a logical next step for something you already need anyway.

What does this mean in concrete terms? In 2026, for many organizations it is not enough to “have a digital document.” You must also be able to explain how the data was created, who the data owner/source of record is, and how changes are logged. e‑CMR—when implemented properly—brings that logic with it by default: registration, signing, timestamps, and a clear trail of events.

NIS2: digital documentation also becomes a security and governance issue

With NIS2, digitization shifts from “convenient and efficient” to “critical and controlled.” Transport and logistics are seen as a sector where digital disruptions can have major impact. As a result, cybersecurity, incident response, and supply chain risks move higher up the agenda.

For digital transport documentation, this means you not only need to think about sharing information, but also about its reliability and security. Who has access to which data, how is misuse prevented, and how do you ensure that the data you present during an inspection is truly the current, correct data? In a world of integrations between shippers, carriers, and digital platforms, the need for end-to-end auditability is growing—along with the need to implement professional logging, access management, and audit trails.

Here too, e‑CMR is a logical starting point: it forces you to properly organize rights, roles, access, and evidence around one critical flow (the digital consignment note), so you can later leverage this foundation for other data exchanges.

Need a quick overview of laws and regulations in Europe?

Download the Collect + Go whitepaper and receive the complete overview of laws and regulations.