REFER is a member of six international associations in the railway sector – EIM, RNE, CEN, CEEP, AEVV, UIC – and actively participates in the work of these organisations. It also collaborates in the activities of two EU bodies, namely the European Commission and the European Railway Agency (ERA).

The scope of activities of these associations and bodies varies from an exclusively technical sphere to operational and commercial aspects, exchanges of best practices, political and technical lobbying and negotiations.