European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport
The European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport provide harmonised safety principles for securing cargo on trucks, trailers and specialised transport vehicles across the EU. These guidelines support consistent, safe, and compliant load-securing practices for all types of road transport — from general freight to oversized and heavy cargo.
Because improper cargo securing is a major cause of accidents, load shifts, vehicle instability and damage to goods, these guidelines are essential for anyone involved in road transport. Cranes for You includes this topic in the Knowledge Centre to help lifting and transport professionals improve safety, avoid incidents and meet European regulatory requirements.
Summary of the Guidelines
The European guidelines outline a common framework for achieving safe, stable and legally compliant load securing. Key principles include:
- Risk assessment before loading: Cargo characteristics, friction surfaces, vehicle layout and centre of gravity must be evaluated before choosing a securing method.
- Use of certified securing equipment: Lashing straps, chains, tensioners, anti-slip mats, blocking devices and anchor points must comply with relevant EN standards.
- Correct securing methods: The guidelines describe direct lashing, top-over lashing, blocking, locking and combined securing systems, with illustrations and formulas.
- Vehicle suitability: Vehicles must have adequate lashing points, load-bearing structures and suitable platforms or beds for the cargo.
- Stability and friction considerations: Proper use of friction-enhancing materials and correct pre-tensioning of lashing equipment are essential to prevent load movement.
- Special cargo categories: Additional requirements are provided for heavy items, machinery, steel products, pipes, reels, pallets, stones, and dangerous goods.
- Driver competence: Drivers must understand securing methods, equipment limits and legal requirements, and must be able to inspect the securing before and during transport.
- Documentation and compliance: Load plans, instructions and securing calculations should be retained to demonstrate compliance with European regulations.
Practical Relevance in Transport Operations
Applying these guidelines improves safety, efficiency and compliance across transport activities:
- Prevents load shifts and vehicle instability, especially during emergency braking, cornering or uneven roads
- Supports safer integration with crane operations, since safe securing is closely tied to safe loading/unloading
- Ensures consistent securing practices across fleets, contractors and subcontractors
- Reduces cargo damage, improving customer satisfaction and lowering insurance claims
- Helps meet EU legal standards, including Directive 2014/47/EU on technical roadside inspections
- Supports heavy, oversized or specialised transport, where securing failures can be catastrophic
These guidelines are widely used by logistics companies, crane operators, heavy haulage firms, industrial suppliers and anyone responsible for load safety.
Official Source
This guidance is published by the European Commission, titled European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport.
The document is publicly available through the European Commission’s Mobility and Transport Directorate.
Related Knowledge Articles
- Checklist for Safe Transport of Oversized Wind Turbine Components
- Hoisting and Rigging Safety Manual
- ICSA Crane Ground Preparation for Wind Farms
- Safe Lifting: Why Every Lift Requires a Lift Plan
Ready to Improve Safety and Efficiency?
Correct load securing protects people, equipment and cargo — and is essential for safe lifting, loading and transport workflows.
Download the official European guidelines from this page and embed their principles into your transport and logistics procedures.
