This Directive sets out to establish the conditions to be met to achieve interoperability within the Community territory of the trans-European conventional rail system, as described in Annex I. These conditions concern the design, construction, putting into service, upgrading, renewal, operation and maintenance of the parts of this system put into service after the date of entry into force of this Directive, as well as the professional qualifications and health and safety conditions of the staff who contribute to its operation.