Table of contents
- What Is EN 15085 Certification?
- Brief History of EN 15085
- Why EN 15085 was introduced ?
- Who Needs EN 15085 Certification?
- Industries Using EN 15085
- Understanding EN 15085 Certification Levels
- Why Organisatioms Seek EN 15085 Certification?
- How Does EN 15085 Certification work?
- Why is EN 15085 Important?
- Conclusion
- Need EN 15085 Certification
- FAQs
Key Takeaways
Certification begins with defining the correct scope.
Documentation is an essential part of the assessment.
Qualified personnel play an important role.
Assessments review processes, documentation & implementation.
Introduction:
If your company is producing or repairing railway vehicles or welded railway parts, then most likely you have already met with EN 15085 Certification. Most manufacturers face this standard when supplying products to railway customers, particularly in projects where welding quality must be controlled.But what does this standard mean? Why is it necessary and who needs it?Here you will get information concerning the standard and learn why it is so important for railway manufacturing. In further articles, we will analyze this standard in details and consider requirements, certification process, advantages, and levels of EN 15085 Certification.
What Is EN 15085 Certification?
EN 15085 is an European Standard defining quality requirements for welding railway vehicles and railway parts. The standard presents a structured approach for control of welding activities including planning and production, inspection and documentation.It helps organizations to prove that welding is performed in a controlled way in accordance with quality requirements of railway industry.Unlike many standards which mainly pay attention to results of welding, EN 15085 focuses on whole welding management system.
Learn more about our EN 15085 Certification service.
Brief History of EN 15085
As railway manufacturing progressed through various countries, manufacturers would find themselves dealing with various welding practices and quality requirements.In order to unify railway welding, an established European standard was created. EN 15085 brought uniformity in terms of welding quality of railway vehicles and components allowing manufacturers and their clients to work with consistent technical requirements.Today, the standard is known all over the railway industry and is utilized by the manufacturers who produce new railway vehicles and components as well as some types of repairs.
Why EN 15085 was Introduced?
The operation of railway vehicles occurs in a very harsh environment where safety, reliability, and high manufacturing quality are extremely important.This standard was introduced in order to create a standardized approach to control the welding process at the manufacturer level. The standard allows organizations to set clear responsibility and procedure for obtaining welding quality products.It also allows organizations to be consistent while working on different projects that involve well-established railway welding requirements.
Who Needs EN 15085 Certification?
EN 15085 certification is required for the businesses that manufacture or repair welded railway products.
It is normally linked with:
- Manufacturers of railway vehicles
- Manufacturers of railway components
- Companies fabricating railway projects
- Manufacturers of rolling stock
- Railway maintenance enterprises
- Companies manufacturing welded assemblies used in railways
No matter whether a company manufactures complete railway vehicles or just its welded components, EN 15085 might be needed according to scope of work and requirements of the customer.
Industries Using EN 15085
EN 15085 can be used in the following fields of railway industry:
- Manufacturing passenger rail vehicles
- Production of freight wagons
- Construction of metro and light rail systems
- Manufacturing of railway components
- Maintenance workshops of railways
- Infrastructure projects of railways that involve welding assemblies
The application of EN 15085 depends on the kind of the welded product and the project.
Understanding EN 15085 Certification Levels
Not all manufacturers weld in the same way. That’s why there are different EN 15085 levels according to complexity and importance of the welded product.
This helps to determine appropriate quality requirements for each manufacturing process.
Read next: EN 15085 Certification Levels Explained
Why Organisations Seek EN 15085 Certification?
Organisations often seek EN 15085 as customers and railways typically require recognised quality systems for welding.
The standard ensures a systematic management of welding and that the production processes are conducted in compliance with the quality requirements.
The business benefits and other gains from EN 15085 certification should be discussed separately.
Read next: EN 15085 Certification Advantages
How Does EN 15085 Certification Work?
The usual procedure starts from checking whether the welding operations of the company match the standard requirements.
This depends on the activities and scope of certification of the company.
Each of the steps – from application to assessment and certification – will be considered in detail in a separate article.
Read next: EN 15085 Certification Process: Step-by-Step Overview (Link after publishing.)
Why Is EN 15085 Important?
In the railway industry, the quality of welding will affect the reliability and performance of the products.
The use of EN 15085 allows organizations to have a system that can be used to ensure consistency in the welding processes, thus meeting the required expectations.
As railway projects require high standards of manufacturing, it is vital to understand EN 15085.
Conclusion
EN 15085 Certification is not merely an engineering certification. It offers a systematic methodology to control the welding quality of railway industry production processes.This paper gave insight into the purpose and coverage of EN 15085 Certification. The next papers will elaborate on the certification levels and requirements, certification procedure, and practical aspects.
Need EN 15085 Certification
If your organization is involved in manufacturing welded railway vehicles or railway components and would like to understand how EN 15085 Certification applies to your operations, visit our EN 15085 Certification service page for detailed information about the certification scope and process.
FAQs
What is EN 15085 Certification?
Certification in accordance with EN 15085 concerns the EN 15085 set of European standards for welding railway vehicles and components. It certifies that the organization has implemented the welding activities, qualified personnel, procedures, and quality controls required by the standard within its certified scope.
What is the EN 15085 standard used for in railway manufacturing?
EN 15085 Standard is applied for establishing controlled welding processes for railway vehicles and components. It deals with crucial aspects of the process of welding so that welding processes will be planned, executed, documented and controlled in accordance with the established railway industry requirements
Who needs EN 15085 Certification for railway welding?
EN 15085 could be applicable to the companies involved in manufacture, welding, assembling and repair of railway vehicles and components. It depends on their activity and certification scope.
No. EN 15085 does not have to be applicable only to companies producing the whole railway vehicles. It can be also applicable to the companies involved in production or repair of railway welded components or assemblies.
Is EN 15085 only for railway vehicle manufacturers?
No. The scope of EN 15085 is not restricted to the manufacturing of complete railway vehicles. It can equally be applicable to firms involved in manufacturing or repair of welded railway parts and assemblies, subject to their respective activities.
Why is EN 15085 important for railway welding?
Railway welding can have a direct impact on the quality and reliability of railway vehicles and parts. The standard EN 15085 provides a recognized means for controlling railway welding activities and ensuring consistency in welding quality in production operations.
What types of railway products can come under EN 15085?
Railway products covered by the scope of EN 15085 include passenger trains, freight wagons, metro cars, light rail vehicles, bogies, frames, and many other railway parts. The exact set of requirements is dependent on the specific product and welding activity.
Is EN 15085 an international or European railway welding standard?
EN 15085 is an EN standard intended for the welding of railway vehicles and components. Though EN 15085 originates from Europe, it is acknowledged outside of Europe, too, and might be applicable to companies producing for railway customers or projects requiring compliance to EN 15085.
Does EN 15085 apply to both railway manufacturing and repair?
EN 15085 standards might be applicable to new manufacture and some repairs of welded railway vehicles and components, depending on the activities of the organization and scope of applicability of the requirements