The board or any other person, in developing, adopting or accepting any standard for safe railway operations, must—
| (a) | consider and take into account the practicality of the standard's application and its affordability. |
| (b) | ensure that an investigation is conducted as to the suitability of existing international or other standards that may be adopted or accepted for the required purpose; |
| (c) | take into account general technical and operational safety requirements of railway operators; |
| (d) | take into account the objections of affected operators in order to harmonise operations at interfaces; |
| (e) | take into account possible risks involved should a standard not be developed; |
| (f) | ensure that introduction of proposed new standards will be staggered and reasonably spaced in order to allow for the structured absorption of its content into safety management systems; and |
| (g) | ensure that the standard developed, adopted or accepted is based on consolidated results of science, technology, engineering and experience with the view to promote optimum safety. |
| (2) | Any standard published by the Regulator or railway industry association may become effective upon publication in the Government Gazette thereof, subject to any transitional or implementation requirements as may be contained therein. |
