Brief overview of EN 15085-2 : 2020 system

Why EN ISO 15085?

ISO 9001 QMS is just touching the requirements related to Special process and states that all special processes needs to be VALIDATED, but not defining HOW to do it and WHAT controls are required to be monitored, These two questions are answered in ISO 3834, with coverage of Comprehensive, Standard and elementary levels defined for welding manufacturers, However being a generic standard for entire range of manufacturing where welding is involved this is not covering sector specific requirements and mainly Design requirements are not covered.

So this gap is filled up by ISO 15085 Standards family and exclusively used by Manufacturers of Railway components,

• EN 15085 Part 1: General

• EN 15085 Part 2: Quality requirements and certification of welding manufacturer

• EN 15085 Part 3: Design requirements

• EN 15085 Part 4: Production requirements

• EN 15085 Part 5: Inspection, testing and documentation

• EN 15085 Part 6: Maintenance of Railway vehicles

In recent changes in standards word “certification levels” is replaced with “Classification level”

• In general, the certification process according to EN 15085 entails

• the establishing a implementable system which covers all aspects of manufacturing related to welding,

• the approval of qualified personnel

• the certification and approval of welding processes and welders or welding operators

• auditing compliance with the requirements set down in the applicable codes and standards

Challenges in certification process

• The qualification requirements of welders to EN Standards have a slightly more restrictive acceptance criterion than the AWS or ASME standards.

• There can be time management difficulties for busy weld shops with implementing the requirements per EN 15085

• There are increased costs associated with the training of employees.

Benefits

• EN 15085 Certification is a significant demonstration to existing and potential customers of an organizational commitment to quality

• EN 15085 Certification provides access to an enormous new market that is heavily invested and committed to rail transportation.