From 1 July 2026, new EU tachograph requirements will apply to certain light commercial vehicles used in international transport.
For pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, this is more than a technical regulatory change. It may affect planning, lead times, flexibility and cost, especially for cross-border shipments that have traditionally relied on dedicated vans.
What is changing?
The new rules mean that light commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used for international commercial transport will be required to use smart tachographs.
In practice, affected vehicles will be subject to more structured rules on driving time, breaks and rest periods. Driver activity must also be recorded digitally and made available for enforcement and compliance purposes.
This changes part of the planning reality for van-based transport. On longer international routes, vans may no longer offer the same flexibility and speed advantage as before.
LTL as a strong alternative
The change does not mean that dedicated vans will disappear. They will still play an important role when urgency, direct delivery or specific shipment requirements make them the right choice.
However, the new rules make it relevant to look more closely at the overall transport setup.
For many pharma and healthcare shipments, LTL transport can be a strong alternative. By consolidating shipments with other compatible goods, customers can often achieve a better balance between cost, capacity, predictability and compliance.
Strong European coverage
At LEMAN, we have strong LTL capabilities across Europe for pharma and healthcare shipments.
Our network allows us to offer precise, reliable and cost-effective transport solutions, even as the regulatory environment changes. At the same time, we continue to work closely with selected suppliers of vans and dedicated vehicles, so we can support fast and dedicated solutions when needed.
The key is not to choose one model for every shipment. The key is to choose the right model for the right need.
Talk to us early
If your company uses vans or dedicated vehicles for international pharma transport, now is a good time to review your setup.
LEMAN can help assess volumes, lead time requirements, compliance needs and route structure, and recommend a transport mix that fits your supply chain.
With strong LTL coverage across Europe and continued access to dedicated transport solutions, we are ready to help customers navigate the new rules and choose the most suitable solution for each shipment.