# 49 C.F.R. § 271.15 (2026): Voluntary compliance

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_15

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 C.F.R. § 271.15 (2026)
- **Heading:** Voluntary compliance
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 49 CFR: Transportation / Chapter II: FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION / Part 271: RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM / Subpart A: General / § 271.15: § 271.15   Voluntary compliance.

## Text

(a)
General.
A railroad not otherwise subject to this part may voluntarily comply by establishing and fully implementing an RRP meeting the requirements of this part. A voluntary RRP shall be supported by an RRP plan that has been submitted to FRA for approval pursuant to the requirements of subpart D of this part. After FRA has approved its RRP plan, a voluntarily-compliant railroad that fails to comply with the requirements of this part is subject to civil penalties or other FRA enforcement action.
(b)
Duration.
A voluntarily-compliant railroad will be required to comply with the requirements of this part for a minimum period of five years, running from the date on which FRA approves the railroad's plan pursuant to subpart D of this part.
(c)
Notification to discontinue compliance.
After this five-year period, a voluntarily-compliant railroad may discontinue compliance with this part by providing written notice to the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer at
FRA-RRP@dot.gov.
(d)
Discovery and admission as evidence of certain information.
The information protection provisions in § 271.11 apply to information compiled or collected pursuant to a voluntary RRP that is conducted in accordance with the requirements of this part and as provided by § 271.301(b)(4)(ii).
[85 FR 9314, Feb. 18, 2020, as amended at 90 FR 28200, July 1, 2025]

## Nearby sections

- [49 C.F.R. § 271.1 (2026) § 271.1   Purpose and scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_1.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.3 (2026) § 271.3   Application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_3.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.5 (2026) § 271.5   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_5.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.9 (2026) § 271.9   Penalties and responsibility for compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_9.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.11 (2026) § 271.11   Discovery and admission as evidence of certain information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_11.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.13 (2026) § 271.13   Determination of inadequate safety performance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_13.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.15 (2026) § 271.15   Voluntary compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_15.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_15. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.