EN 15085 – Certification of Welding for Railway Vehicles and Components
The EN 15085 series is the European standard setting out quality requirements, welding coordination, manufacturer competence and certification principles for the welding of railway vehicles and their components.
Organizations performing welding fabrication under EN 15085 must systematically manage welding processes, the qualifications of welders and welding operators, welding procedures, welding coordination activities and production controls.
The EN 15085 Series
- EN 15085-1: General
- EN 15085-2: Quality requirements and certification of welding manufacturers
- EN 15085-3: Design requirements
- EN 15085-4: Production requirements
- EN 15085-5: Inspection, testing and documentation
EN 15085-2 in particular is the key part for the certification of organizations manufacturing welded railway vehicles and components.
EN 15085-2 Certification
Under EN 15085-2 the organization's welding fabrication competence is assessed considering the production activities carried out and the criticality of the products. The certification covers:
Welding fabrication scope → Classification of products and components → CL level → Welding quality level → Welding coordination → WPS/PQR → Welder qualifications → Production and inspection controls → Certification
The certification scope and applicable requirements are determined according to the nature of the welding fabrication performed and the relevant EN 15085 requirements.
Certification Levels (CL)
The Certification Level (CL) is an important criterion in determining the competence of welding manufacturers under EN 15085. The CL level relates to the scope and level of responsibility of the welding fabrication activities performed.
Determining the appropriate CL level takes into account:
- The railway vehicles or components produced,
- The intended use of the welded joints,
- The criticality of the welded parts,
- Design and production responsibilities,
- The welding fabrication scope.
| CL Level | Safety Relevance | General Description |
|---|---|---|
| CL1 | High | Welded railway vehicles and components with high safety relevance |
| CL2 | Medium | Welded railway vehicle components with medium safety relevance |
| CL3 | Low | Welded railway vehicle components with low safety relevance |
The current EN 15085-2:2020+A2:2025 distinguishes CL1/CL2/CL3 directly by the safety relevance of the welded component. CL2 does not permit welded joints in the high safety category according to EN 15085-3, and CL3 does not permit joints in the high or medium safety categories.
Welding Coordination
Welding coordination is one of the fundamental elements of EN 15085 certification. The organization must have sufficiently competent welding coordination personnel responsible for planning, performing and controlling welding fabrication activities. Their duties and competences are determined by the certification scope and the welding fabrication activities performed.
Main Subjects Assessed
- Welding fabrication scope
- CL level
- Welding coordination personnel
- WPS and WPQR/PQR records
- Welder and welding operator qualifications
- Welding equipment
- Control of parent and welding consumable materials
- Pre-weld, in-process and post-weld checks
- Non-destructive testing activities
- Measuring and test equipment
- Welding quality levels
- Traceability
- Control of non-conformities
- Technical documentation and records
Relationship between EN 15085 and ISO 3834
The quality requirements for welding fabrication under EN 15085 are assessed together with the ISO 3834 series. Depending on the organization's scope, the welding quality requirements defined under ISO 3834-2, ISO 3834-3 or ISO 3834-4 may form an important part of the EN 15085 system. The requirements of the relevant ISO/EN standards for welding procedures, welder qualifications and welding quality levels are also taken into account.
Why EN 15085 Matters
EN 15085 certification demonstrates that the organization can perform welding fabrication of railway vehicles and components in accordance with the defined technical and quality requirements. It contributes to:
- Increasing customer confidence in the railway sector,
- Sustaining welding fabrication quality,
- Keeping production processes under control,
- Demonstrating technical competence,
- Facilitating participation in international railway projects,
- Ensuring traceability of welding fabrication processes.
We provide professional support in scope and CL level determination, welding coordination, WPS/PQR, welder qualifications, production and inspection processes, technical documentation and certification activities. Contact us.