Brussels, 5 February 2026: The EU Parking Standard is Europe’s Legal Framework for the Certification of Secure Truck Parking Areas, setting legal requirements for parking security, cargo safety and service quality to improve drivers’ working conditions.
The European Secure Parking Organisation (ESPORG) underlines the strategic importance of the EU Parking Standard, which is not an industry initiative such as the various market standards, but a legal standard developed and adopted by the European Commission. It is a key reference for road hauliers, shippers, insurers, professional drivers, and public authorities across the European Union. ESPORG’s role is to apply, implement and show the value of the EU Parking Standard, promoting it within transport and logistics industry.
“The EU Parking Standard is Europe’s legal framework for secure truck parking. Its legal nature is exactly what makes it valuable — clarity, comparability and trust across Member States and across the supply chain. Certified parking is not only about protecting cargo, but about protecting drivers, reducing risk, and strengthening Europe’s economic resilience” said Dirk Penasse, General Manager of ESPORG.
This message was clearly confirmed during the ESPORG webinar of 29 January 2026, gathering representatives from across the transport and logistics value chain, and reinforced through ESPORG’s contribution to the European Commission’s LANDSEC meeting today.
A Legal Standard Developed by the European Commission
Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSPAs) are certified under the EU Parking Standard, the official legal framework established by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1012, supplementing Regulation (EC) No 561/2006.
The EU Parking Standard addresses both security and service needs through a comprehensive and scalable approach: four cumulative security levels — Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum — allowing parking operators to progressively enhance protection and services according to operational needs and risk profiles.
As a legal instrument, the EU Parking Standard is recognized by EU institutions, Member State authorities and policymakers, being also linked to EU regulatory and funding frameworks, including TEN-T, AFIR, CEF funding, and the ITS Delegated Act 885/2013.
Legal Certification Matters for the Entire EU Supply Chain
Under the EU Parking Standard, what is certified must be delivered on the ground. What you see is what you get: once certified, reliable and transparent information on Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas is publicly available, including via the European Commission’s official platform: https://eu-parking.eu.
Certification audits are carried out by independent audit bodies accredited by both the European Commission and the National Accreditation Bodies under ISO/IEC 17021-1 with a scope extension on SSPAs, ensuring consistency, transparency, and credibility for users, insurers, shippers, transport companies, and authorities alike – thus making the legal certification even more valuable and robust. Unlike labelling initiatives by private industry stakeholders this double accreditation by the European Commission and the National Accreditation Bodies ensures that the audit companies are held accountable by public authorities. ESPORG is guiding Audit Bodies to align and to be able to audit the EU parking standard after the legal requirements.
It is essential that all supply-chain actors — drivers, OEMs, insurers, shippers, and transport companies — recognize and rely on the EU Parking Standard certification in order to build a strong, trusted European ecosystem around secure truck parking. Discussions during the recent ESPORG webinar on the EU Parking Standard confirmed a strong alignment among supply-chain stakeholders. Insurers highlighted the growing exposure to cargo theft and confirmed the role of legally certified parking to reduce risks and liability. Shippers and cargo owners stressed that requiring EU Parking Standard certification is a strategic decision for risk management, safety and compliance, protecting both cargo and corporate reputation. Road hauliers emphasized the need for reliable certified infrastructure and accurate digital information, while drivers underlined that certified SSPAs deliver safety, hygiene, dignity, and decent working conditions, directly impacting road safety and the attractiveness of the profession.
ESPORG at LANDSEC: Working Together with the European Commission
During the European Commission’s LANDSEC meeting, ESPORG General Manager Dirk Penasse stressed that the EU Parking Standard is the first building block of a more resilient European supply chain, linking transport security, social policy, and infrastructure development.
“Working with the European Commission, our aim is to harmonize procedures and ensure they are clear and transparent for the supply chain. Together, we are building a European logistics ecosystem that delivers a true win-win for all stakeholders — addressing cargo theft, improving driver wellbeing, and tackling today’s key logistics challenges, from dual-use secure parking for military mobility to the roll-out of truck EV charging, while digitally connecting the supply chain with reliable information. The EU Parking Standard is the foundation that turns these shared policy goals into practical, measurable results on the ground” said Dirk Penasse, at the European Commission’s LANDSEC meeting.
ESPORG: Turning EU Policy into Market Reality
ESPORG – the European Secure Parking Organisation (www.esporg.eu) is the leading voice for secure truck parking in Europe. For more than 15 years, ESPORG has worked in close cooperation with the European Commission and public authorities to develop and implement the EU Parking Standard, facilitate certification processes, support access to EU funding and promote drivers’ wellbeing.
By developing and implementing best practices, training and guidelines, ESPORG supports municipalities and businesses in creating efficient, accessible, secure and environmentally friendly parking facilities compliant with the EU legal requirements.
Learn more about the EU Parking Standard – Europe’s legal reference today: https://esporg.eu/eu-parking-standard/
