CLAY & PARTNERS CONSULTING

bridging technology and regulatory compliance

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About Us

Areas of our specialization

Railway Vehicle Certification

We provide comprehensive certification processes for new and modernized railway vehicles, including conformity assessment with Technical Specifications for Interoperability.

Authorization and Approval Processes

We guide clients through authorization procedures in accordance with applicable railway legislation and coordinate communication with railway authorities.

NoBo, DeBo, AsBo, ISA Certification

We prepare documentation and manage processes for obtaining certifications from Notified Bodies, Designated Bodies, and Assessment Bodies.

CCS and RST Subsystems

We specialize in on-board signalling systems (CCS) and Rolling Stock (RST) subsystems with emphasis on technical precision and regulatory compliance.

Our DNA

Key pillars of cooperation

Technical Precision

We approach every project with maximum attention to detail and in compliance with current legislation.

Proven Know-How

Our recommendations are based on real projects completed with successful certification.

Transparent Approach

We communicate openly about possibilities, risks, and time requirements of each project.

Long-term Partnership

We build trust-based relationships with clients, railway authorities, and certification bodies.

Our Services

Seamless execution of NoBo, DeBo, AsBo and ISA processes through experience and responsible approach.

Certification and Assessment Processes

Certification and Assessment Processes

  • Verification of compliance with national requirements of target states – DeBo role.
  • Change safety assessment (AsBo) and ISA for signalling system modifications.
  • Authorization proceedings before the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and National Safety Authorities (NSA).
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Project Preparation and Risk Management

Project Preparation and Risk Management

  • Project initiation with thorough planning and project risk analysis.
  • Preparation of necessary contractual and project documentation.
  • Coordination of subsequent activities for smooth certification process.
  • Ongoing risk monitoring and identification of potential complications.
  • Minimization of delays and additional costs through experience in preparatory phases.
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Flexible Scope of Cooperation

Flexible Scope of Cooperation

  • Option for complete management of the entire certification process.
  • Execution of selected parts of the certification process according to project needs.
  • Flexible scope of cooperation settings.
  • Adaptation of services to client's internal capacities.
  • Respect for specific requirements and project characteristics.
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Our Team

We combine legal expertise with technical knowledge of the railway industry

Jakub Hlina

Founder & Managing Partner

Experienced lawyer with extensive legal practice specializing in public law, including railway law. He founded the company and shaped its professional focus. Currently, he leads the team and oversees its activities across projects.

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Stepanka Smolikova

Senior Consultant

She has been part of the team since late 2022, bringing experience from law firms and international grant projects. In her practice, she combines knowledge of the railway sector's legal environment with expertise in funding policy and project financing.

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Vitezslav Landsfeld

Technical Expert

The newest addition to the team, bringing experience from one of the largest Czech railway companies where he led the autonomous railway vehicle development department. He excels in deep technical knowledge and expertise in modern railway sector technologies.

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Ondrej Lukas

Homologation Expert

Together with Jakub, he is among the pioneers of implementing 4th Railway Package procedures in the Czech Republic. He brings experience from the CD Group and has long specialized in homologation planning and vehicle and their subsystem approval processes.

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Matyas Kasper

Service and Logistics Specialist

He brings IT sector experience to the team, which he successfully applies to optimizing service and logistics processes. His responsibility is finding functional and sustainable solutions that focus on quality and individual customer needs.

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Jan Svika

Technical Expert

He focuses on Class A and B train protection systems with a number of successful ETCS retrofit projects in his portfolio. As an implementation architect, he prepares technical solutions and coordinates activities to ensure safety and operational requirements are met.

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References

Selected projects in railway vehicle certification and homologation

Electric Locomotives

Locomotives 163, 362, 363

Locomotives 163, 362, 363

ETCS retrofit project by Alstom for Czech Railways and CD Cargo locomotives. As one of the first such projects, the Claycon team managed complete homologation of vehicle modifications and final authorization. Series 163 was approved in three areas of use (CZ, SK, PL). The project was realized during the transition to 4th Railway Package legislation. Final type authorization was obtained in December 2022.

2022

Pendolino

Electric Units 680 Pendolino

Electric Units 680 Pendolino

ETCS equipment project for units launched in 2022. Claycon managed the homologation process including obtaining operating permits in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The project had to address the introduction of new Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). New vehicle type authorization was granted by the European Union Agency for Railways in October 2025.

2025

Driving Trailers

Driving Trailers 961 (Sysel)

Driving Trailers 961 (Sysel)

Series 961 driving trailers are non-traction vehicles used in push-pull train sets. The ETCS retrofit project was launched in 2021 and the Claycon team participated in its implementation. Type authorization for operation in the Czech Republic was successfully obtained from the Railway Authority in October 2025.

2025

Partner Companies

Our Partners

Contact

Address

CLAY & PARTNERS Consulting s.r.o.
Havlíčkova 1680/13,
Nové Město, 110 00 Praha 1

Phone

+420 725 224 982

E-mail

kancelar@claycon.cz

Business Hours

Mon - Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM