About EAAR
The European Association of Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes (EAAR) is a nonprofit organization that brings together manufacturers, operators, and service providers involved in the planning, permitting, and execution of oversized, overweight, and otherwise abnormal loads on European road networks. Established in 2004, EAAR serves as a unified voice for the industry, promoting safety, efficiency, and regulatory harmonisation across the continent.
Mission & Vision
Mission: To facilitate the safe and reliable movement of abnormal loads and mobile crane units throughout Europe by developing bestpractice guidelines, influencing legislation, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
Vision: A Europe where abnormal transport operations are seamlessly integrated into the broader logistics chain, minimising disruption while maximising economic benefit.
Members
EAAR counts more than 250 member companies, including:
- Specialised transport firms handling heavy and oversized cargo.
- Manufacturers of mobile cranes and modular lifting equipment.
- Consultancies offering routeanalysis, permitting, and escort services.
- National road authorities and safety agencies.
- Insurance providers specialising in highvalue transport risks.
Membership levels range from associate (individual professionals) to corporate (fullservice operators), each with access to exclusive resources, training, and networking events.
Key Services
- Regulatory Database: A searchable, regularly updated repository of national and EUwide regulations governing abnormal loads and mobile cranes.
- Route Planning Toolkit: Software that integrates road geometry, bridge load limits, and traffic restrictions to produce optimal transport routes.
- Training & Certification: Accredited courses for drivers, escort personnel, and crane operators covering safety, legal compliance, and emergency response.
- Advocacy: Representation before the European Commission, the European Parliament, and national ministries to shape forthcoming legislation.
- Incident Review Panel: An expert panel that analyses accidents involving abnormal loads, producing lessonslearned reports for the industry.
Regulatory Landscape
Abnormal transport in Europe is governed by a complex mix of EU directives, EN standards, and national statutes. EAAR works to simplify this landscape through:
- EU Directive 2004/44/EC: Sets the framework for permits, defining abnormal loads and requiring a riskbased approach.
- EN 13000 Series: Technical standards for mobile crane design, stability, and testing.
- National Permit Schemes: Each member state retains the right to impose additional limits on length, width, height, and weight.
- Environmental Considerations: Growing emphasis on emissions, noise, and road wear has led to new reporting requirements.
EAAR publishes a quarterly Regulation Digest that summarises any changes, helping members stay compliant without costly legal research.
Annual Conference & Workshops
The flagship EAAR Annual Conference attracts over 800 participants and combines plenary sessions, technical workshops, and an exhibition hall.
- Keynote Topics: Future of autonomous abnormal transport, EU green logistics, and crossborder data sharing.
- Workshops: Handson crane stability calculations, dynamic routing simulations, and regulatory case studies.
- Networking: Dedicated matchmaking for operators, equipment manufacturers, and regulators.
In addition to the main conference, EAAR organises regional seminars throughout the year, focusing on countryspecific challenges such as the Alpine corridor, the Baltic ports, and the Iberian Peninsula.
Contact & Further Information
For membership inquiries, partnership proposals, or access to the EAAR database, please use the following contact channels:
- Email: info@eaar.eu
- Phone: +33 1 44 55 66 77 (Paris office)
- Address: 12 Rue de la Mer, 75008 Paris, France
- Online contact form: www.eaar.eu/contact
