# 49 CFR § 271.15: Voluntary compliance

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.15

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 CFR § 271.15
- **Heading:** Voluntary compliance
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 49—Transportation > Subtitle B—Other Regulations Relating to Transportation > CHAPTER II—FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION > PART 271—RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM > Subpart A—General

## 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 CFR § 271.1 § 271.1 Purpose and scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.1.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.3 § 271.3 Application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.3.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.5 § 271.5 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.5.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.9 § 271.9 Penalties and responsibility for compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.9.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.11 § 271.11 Discovery and admission as evidence of certain information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.11.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.13 § 271.13 Determination of inadequate safety performance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.13.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.15 § 271.15 Voluntary compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.15.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.101 § 271.101 Risk reduction programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.101.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.103 § 271.103 Risk-based hazard management program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.103.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.105 § 271.105 Safety performance evaluation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.105.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.107 § 271.107 Safety outreach.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.107.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.109 § 271.109 Technology analysis and technology implementation plan.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.109.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.111 § 271.111 Implementation and support training.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.111.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.113 § 271.113 Involvement of railroad employees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.113.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.15. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.