Adoption rate of eCMR. TransFollow analysis.
As more and more carriers and shippers adopt the electronic consignment note (eCMR), TransFollow analyses the state of the European market and observes the gradual decline in barriers to adoption among carriers and shippers.
To date, 38 states [1] have ratified or acceded to the United Nations eCMR protocol, allowing shippers, their customers and transport providers to digitise consignment notes (CMRs), which have the same legal value as their paper equivalents. For businesses, eCMR is part of the digitalisation of transport and offers many advantages: zero paper for a better carbon footprint, real-time traceability of operations, immediate access to transport documentation, accelerated invoicing, etc.
"For these reasons, a growing number of companies, both shippers and carriers, are looking for an eCMR solution. We are also seeing our existing customers grow their businesses by integrating eCMR. The more companies adopt eCMR, the more their partners, customers or subcontractors see the benefits and feel the need to connect. Since 2023, we have seen a significant increase in interest, particularly from shippers, who are increasingly taking the lead in the process of digitising documents. Companies in the supply chain are beginning to understand that digitisation is an essential step towards remaining competitive, sustainable and resilient," observes Hans Lip, Chief Operating Officer at TransFollow.
eCMR ratification map
The European digital transition is accelerating
In terms of adoption at the European level, some mature markets, including France, the Netherlands and Spain, adopted electronic consignment notes on a large scale and very early on. In other countries, awareness is constantly growing, driven by transport federations that are working to raise awareness not only of dematerialised freight documents, but also of all other aspects of digitisation, such as real-time visibility and the interoperability of supply chain IT solutions.
"We are also seeing several countries moving towards mandatory use of eCMR, for example in Spain, where the digital consignment note is set to become mandatory in 2026. In addition, the eFTI regulation, which will require transport data to be digitally accessible to authorities from mid-2027, is accelerating the digital transition in Europe. We expect the framework for digitisation platforms to be defined and implemented by 2027, creating an even stronger foundation for the digitisation of the supply chain," adds Hans Lip.
Fewer and fewer barriers to adoption
The adoption of eCMR is expected to accelerate further as technologies evolve and barriers are removed. Many companies are still hesitant to embark on digital transformation projects, fearing high costs, a lack of implementation resources, the need to change their workflows, or concerns about the acceptance of digital documents. In reality, supply chain players need to understand that digitisation can be effortless and that there are tools, such as TransFollow, that easily adapt to the existing environment and workflows. Previously, barriers to eCMR and digitisation also lay in the lack of network connectivity or suitable devices and tools. However, thanks to extensive network coverage in Europe and the absence of roaming, these issues have been almost entirely resolved. In addition, the obstacle of providing a dedicated device (smartphone, tablet) to each driver has been overcome thanks to applications such as TransFollow Drive, which is easy to install and use on any phone.
‘At TransFollow, we have gone even further by developing TransFollow Messenger, a tool that allows drivers to use their favourite messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram, to manage their transport orders, sign and share eCMR documents in real time,’ adds Hans Lip.
The TransFollow offer for seamless integration
Due to the fragmentation and heterogeneity of the sector, the adoption of eCMR can only be successful if an interoperable environment is put in place, allowing all players in the supply chain to collaborate, regardless of their systems or equipment. For example, a shipper or transport company must be able to share data easily and transparently, without having to know the equipment used by its partners or subcontractors. This is where the complexity of eCMR lies, and this is where TransFollow has focused its efforts over the past five years, developing a wide range of connection channels to enable each party to integrate seamlessly:
Back office:
- Direct integration from their TMS, ERP, WMS or proprietary system via TransFollow Connect.
- Without a back-office system, using the TransFollow portal.
Drivers:
- Directly from their FMS, using the TransFollow Drive signature module.
- Without FMS, by equipping drivers with the TransFollow Drive app to manage transport assignments and the entire document lifecycle.
- For subcontractors or fleets that do not wish to install a dedicated application, drivers can manage everything via one of their favourite messaging applications (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber).
Stay ahead and implement eCMR in your transport operations now!
[1] List of countries that ratified eCMR Additional Protocol
