Guide
What is Chain of Responsibility and who does it apply to in 2026?
Published 8 February 2026
A plain-language guide to who sits inside the Chain of Responsibility and why duties follow functions rather than job titles.
Function matters more than job title
CoR applies based on what a party does in the transport chain. A business that schedules, loads, receives, packs, contracts, or directs transport work can influence safety outcomes even if it never owns a truck.
The transport task creates shared risk
Upstream decisions can affect on-road behaviour. Unrealistic timeframes can contribute to fatigue risk. Poor loading instructions can contribute to mass or load restraint problems. Delayed maintenance decisions can create vehicle-standard risk.
Controls need to be practical
The best compliance systems show how risks are identified, who owns the control, what evidence is captured, and how managers check whether controls are working.