The Association of Rolling Stock Owners in Slovakia, known as Združenie vlastníkov a prevádzkovateľov koľajových vozidiel (ZVKV), unites 27 members from Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
ZVKV's primary mission is to defend and represent the collective interests of its members in interactions with state and non-state organizations, both domestically and abroad. This includes engagement with railway companies, safety authorities, supervisory bodies, and certification organizations. The association provides advisory, and consulting services related to common interests, particularly in areas like the creation and amendment of regulations for wagon construction, maintenance, and repair; management and operation of wagons; and transport conditions.
Services are delivered by experts from member organizations or by external specialists, depending on the scope and nature of the work. ZVKV collaborates with relevant authorities and organizations in developing legislation and updating standards for railway rolling stock. Key partners include the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic, the Transport Authority, the Railway Authority, and the European Railway Agency. The association also maintains relationships with foreign counterparts engaged in similar activities, such as ŽESNAD and VPI organizations in Austria and Germany. Additionally, ZVKV is a member of international bodies like the International Union of Private Wagons (UIP).
The association regularly hosts events to promote information exchange and sector development. The fifth annual conference, titled "Information Day – Railway Sector," was recently held in Svätý Jur. Previous conferences have taken place in locations such as Bratislava, Modra, and Poprad, covering topics like digitalization and support for the railway sector. ZVKV also organizes seminars and working group meetings focused on the General Contract for the Use of Freight Wagons (AVV) and the Entity in Charge of Maintenance (ECM).
