In the world of international transportation, the bill of lading is an essential document.
It serves as proof of the transport agreement between the sender, carrier and consignee.
Traditionally, the paper CMR consignment bill was used for this purpose, but with digitization, the electronic variant, the eCMR, has made its appearance.
In this blog post, we dive deeper into the meaning, benefits and legal aspects of both the CMR and eCMR.
What is a CMR Waybill?
CMR stands for“Conventionrelative au contrat de transport international de Marchandisespar Route,” or the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road.
The CMR consignment bill is the standard document used in international road transport and serves as:
- Proof of the contract of carriage between the parties
- Receipt for the goods by the carrier
- Instructions for handling and delivery of goods
The CMR waybill contains important information such as the names and addresses of the sender, carrier and consignee, a description of the goods, weight, packaging and any special instructions.
The document is prepared in three original copies: one for the sender, one for the consignee and one for the carrier.
The benefits of eCMR
The electronic CMR, or eCMR, is the digital version of the traditional paper CMR waybill.
Using eCMR offers several benefits to all parties involved in the transportation process:
- Efficiency: With eCMR, data can be entered, processed and shared between parties more quickly and easily.
This reduces administrative burden and saves time and costs.
- Accuracy: Digital data processing reduces the likelihood of errors that can occur with manual entry and processing of information.
- Real-time tracking: eCMR enables real-time tracking of shipment status and location, which improves transparency and communication in the supply chain.
- Sustainability: By using digital documents, eCMR reduces paper and contributes to a more sustainable transportation industry.
Legal basis of eCMR
In 2008, an additional protocol was added to the CMR Convention to enable and regulate the use of electronic bills of lading.
This protocol recognizes the validity and legal force of electronic CMR bills of lading, provided certain conditions are met:
- The eCMR must contain the same information as the paper version
- The authenticity and integrity of the data must be guaranteed
- The eCMR must be accessible and readable by all authorized parties
Although more and more countries have ratified the additional protocol, the use of eCMR is not yet standardized everywhere.
Transport companies must take into account the specific requirements and legislation of the countries in which they operate.
Implementation of eCMR
For transportation companies looking to switch to eCMR, there are several steps to take:
- Choose an eCMR platform: There are several eCMR solution providers on the market.
note: Rietveld has partnered with Transfollow’s eCMR because this platform fits our clients’ specific needs well and is compatible with most of our TMS partners’ systems. - Ensure integration: Integrate the eCMR platform with your existing transportation management system (TMS) and other relevant software to ensure seamless data exchange.
- Train your employees: Ensure that all employees involved, both internal and external, are trained in the use of the eCMR platform and its processes.
- Communicate with partners: Inform your customers, suppliers and other partners about the switch to eCMR and agree on how the digital bills of lading will be exchanged and processed.
Conclusion
The CMR consignment bill plays a crucial role in international road transport.
With the emergence of its digital variant, the eCMR, transportation processes can be made more efficient, accurate and transparent.
Although the implementation of eCMR requires some adjustments, it offers significant benefits for transport companies and their partners.
By switching to eCMR, companies can not only save costs and reduce administrative burdens, but also contribute to a more sustainable future for the transportation industry.
As a transportation manager, it is essential to stay abreast of the latest developments in CMR and eCMR.
By investing in digitalization and the implementation of eCMR, transport companies can strengthen their competitive position and be ready for the future of international road transport.
Rietveld is happy to help you implement
We have already helped several clients implement eCMR on our Efficio on-board computer and synchronization with TMS systems. Read a business case here or contact our product specialist today.
