Ensuring Quality in Railway Vehicle Welding: EN 15085 Certification by PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ, a. s.(First Welding Certification Private Limited)
EN 15085 certification is an internationally recognized standard that defines the requirements for welding railway vehicles and their components. The railway industry depends heavily on welded structures, and ensuring the strength and reliability of these welds is essential for passenger safety and long-term operational performance.
PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ, a. s. as a Manufacturer Certification Body (MCB) recognized and accredited by the European Committee for Welding of Railway Vehicles (ECWRV) for EN 15085 certification.
PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ, a. s. certifies OEMs of railway coaches, locomotives, wagons, and metro vehicles, as well as manufacturers producing railway components such as bogies, side walls, end walls, underframes, roofs, couplers, braking systems, doors, seats, tanks, and other welded railway structures, etc.
Role of Welding in Railway Vehicle Manufacturing
Welding is a fundamental process in the manufacturing of railway vehicles. Many critical parts of trains and rail systems rely on welded structures that must withstand vibration, heavy loads, and continuous operational stress.
Typical railway components produced using welding include:
• Railway vehicle bodies
• Bogies and chassis structures
• Underframes and structural frames
• Side walls and end walls
• Roof structures
• Couplers and braking components
• Tanks and containers
• Doors, seating structures, and structural frames
Because these components directly impact railway safety and structural stability, the welding process must be performed under strictly controlled conditions and verified quality procedures.
What is EN 15085 Certification?
EN 15085 certification is a welding manufacturer certification confirms an organization’s ability to perform railway welding operations according to European Standards requirements.
The certification verifies that a company has:
• Qualified welding personnel
• Approved welding procedures
• Competent welding coordination personnel
• NDT Personnel and testing procedures
• Documented welding quality management systems
The certification also covers the design, manufacturing, supply, repair, and maintenance of welded railway components, ensuring that all welding activities meet internationally recognized safety and quality standards.
EN 15085 Classification Levels
The EN 15085 standard defines different Classification Levels (CL) based on the safety relevance of welded components used in railway vehicles.
1. CL1 – Highest Safety Category
CL1 applies to manufacturers producing critical structural components that directly impact railway safety.
New build, conversion and repair of rail vehicles and their components. Examples for components:
• Bogies
• Underframes of locomotives, passenger rolling stock and freight wagons
• Car bodies
• Freight wagon assembly
• Draw and buffing gear
• Supporting frames, brackets and tensioning straps for exterior equipment
• Wheelset mountings, axleboxes, spring supports, shock absorbers, vibration dampers
• Brake equipment
• Supporting frames for heavy duty vehicles including road/rail vehicles
• Welded components for drag transmission from bogie to vehicle
• Fuel tanks of vehicles
• Entrance and end doors
• Step frames, hand rails and railings on the outside of the vehicle or in entry areas
• Exterior self-supporting equipment boxes and underfloor containers
• Roof construction
• Exterior traction and power equipment
• Power transmission parts
• Turning and tipping equipment
• Obstacle deflectors and snow ploughs
• Stanchions and lashing rings
• Exhaust systems including pipes
• Wheel scotches
• Pressure gas tanks, tanks and tank containers of rail vehicles with test pressure
• Containers for dangerous materials
• Compressed-air reservoirs for rail vehicles
These components require the highest level of welding quality control and inspection.
2. CL2 – Medium Safety Category
CL2 certification is applicable to manufacturers producing important but moderately safety-related components.
New build, conversion and repair of structural parts for rail vehicles, e.g.:
• Parts inside of passenger coaches
• Supporting frame, brackets and tensioning straps for interior equipment
• Driving cab equipment
• Lavatory parts and water containers with installations that are inside of the vehicle body
• Interior doors and ramps
• Fastenings for brake pipes
• Underframe equipment boxes that are supported by another frame
• Self-supporting gearboxes and consoles for hand brake operation
• Interior traction and power equipment
• Seating frames
• Pressurized air pipes
New build, conversion and repair of non-pressurized containers without special test pressure, e.g.:
• Payload container for non-dangerous materials
• Other transport containers.
The welding quality requirements are significant but slightly less stringent compared to CL1.
3. CL3 – Lower Safety Category
CL3 certification applies to manufacturers producing non-critical railway components where welding failures do not directly affect operational safety.
New build, conversion and repair production of simple attached parts for rail vehicles, e.g:
• Cranks and levers for various operations
• Striking plates
• Interior equipment boxes and switch cabinets
• Holders for index plates
• Covers for freight wagons
• Steps, handrails, railings inside of the vehicle
New build, conversion and repair of parts or trade supply parts for rail vehicles, for instance:
• Window frames
• Ventilation grilles.
Even though the safety impact is lower, manufacturers must still maintain controlled welding processes.
EN 15085 Certification Process
The certification process ensures that railway manufacturers comply with the welding quality requirements defined in the EN 15085 standard.
1. Application and Documentation Review
The process begins with the submission of technical documentation, including:
• Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
• Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR)
• Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ)
• Welding Quality Manual
• Welding plans and weld maps
• Non-destructive testing procedures and Reports
• Qualifications of Welding Coordination Personnel according to EN ISO 14731
These documents are reviewed to verify compliance with EN 15085 requirements.
2. Certification Audit
ECWRV recognized and approved auditor(s) conduct an on-site assessment to verify the manufacturer’s welding processes, facilities, and personnel competence according to EN 15085-2.
The audit evaluates:
• Production facilities
• Welding equipment
• Personnel qualification (welders/welding operators, welding coordinators and NDT personnel)
• Documentation systems
• Quality control procedures
3. Testing and Qualification
The certification body verifies the welding quality through inspections and testing methods such as:
• NDT (VT, PT, UT, MT as applicable) these tests confirm the reliability and strength of welded joints.
• Dimensional verification
4. Quality Management System Verification
Organizations must demonstrate that they have implemented a structured welding quality management system that ensures consistency, traceability, and compliance with EN 15085 requirements.
EN 15085 Certification by PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ, a. s.
PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ, a. s. operates as a recognized Manufacturer Certification Body (MCB) under the European Committee for Welding of Railway Vehicles.
As an accredited MCB, PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ, a. s. performs certification audits for organizations involved in railway manufacturing and welding activities. Once a manufacturer successfully meets the EN 15085 requirements, and an issued certification confirms their capability to produce welded railway components in accordance with European standards.
Certified companies are listed in the official EN 15085 online register, which allows railway companies and project stakeholders to identify qualified suppliers worldwide.
Benefits of EN 15085 Certification
Obtaining EN 15085 certification provides several important advantages for manufacturers operating in the railway sector.
1. International Recognition
The certification is widely recognized by railway OEMs, suppliers, and infrastructure companies across global markets.
2. Improved Welding Quality
Implementation of EN 15085 ensures consistent welding quality and reduces the risk of structural failures.
3. Access to Railway Supply Chains
Many railway projects require EN 15085 certification as a mandatory qualification for suppliers and contractors.
4. Enhanced Safety and Reliability
The standard ensures that welded railway structures meet strict safety and operational requirements.
5. Competitive Market Advantage
Certified manufacturers demonstrate their technical competence and gain stronger credibility with railway clients.
Conclusion
EN 15085 certification is an essential standard for organizations involved in the design, manufacturing, supply, repair and maintenance of welded railway vehicles and components. By implementing strict welding quality requirements, the standard ensures that railway structures are manufactured safely and reliably.
Manufacturers that achieve EN 15085 certification demonstrate their commitment to high-quality welding practices, competent personnel, and internationally recognized manufacturing standards.
Certification issued by PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ, a. s. confirms that manufacturers meet the EN 15085 requirements for railway welding and are qualified to produce welded railway components according to European standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is EN 15085 certification?
EN 15085 certification is a European standard that defines the quality requirements for welding railway vehicles and components to ensure safety and reliability.
2. Who needs EN 15085 certification?
Manufacturers producing welded railway vehicles, bogies, structural components, and railway maintenance companies involved in welding typically require EN 15085 certification.
3. What are the EN 15085 certification levels?
The certification levels include:
• CL1 – Highest safety relevance
• CL2 – Medium safety relevance
• CL3 – Lower safety relevance
4. What documents are required for EN 15085 certification?
Typical documents include:
• Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
• Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR)
• Welder Qualification Records (WPQ)
• Welding Quality Manual
• Weld maps and weld plans
• NDT procedures
5. How long is EN 15085 certification valid?
EN 15085 certification is usually valid for three years, with annual surveillance audits to confirm continued compliance.
6. Why is EN 15085 certification important?
The certification ensures that railway welding activities meet strict quality and safety requirements, reducing the risk of structural failures in railway vehicles.