Regulation (EC) 1/2005 came into force on 25 January 2005 and is aimed at protecting the welfare of animals during transportation. It lays down common rules for the transport of live vertebrate animals between EU countries in order to prevent injury or unnecessary suffering to the animals. This European Implementation Assessment (EIA) looks, from a desk-research based perspective, at the general implementation of the regulation, with a focus on data recording, as well as at compliance with the technical rules as set out in Annex I on fitness for transport. This EIA does not therefore represent an overall and comprehensive evaluation of Regulation (EC) 1/2005. Our findings, based on existing data, reveal a mixed picture of implementation, with progress but also problematic issues and areas where progress is needed in the future.