EN 61373 — Standard

About the Standard

Scope title: vibration and shock testing of railway vehicles

EN 61373 is a standard published by European Standard (EN) (EN). Standards published by the European standardisation organisations and adopted as national standards in member states; they are used as harmonised standards under EU directives.

See the other 194 codes from EN

Coverage areas

Demiryolu Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that code EN 61373 belongs to; it is not the text of the standard or the regime itself. The scope title of the code is given above, and technical requirements are shared at the quotation stage.

Railway testing shows that vehicles and components operate safely and reliably in the rail environment. The character of this family comes from the ASSUMPTION OF LONG LIFE: a rail vehicle is designed for a service life exceeding thirty years and its components remain under vibration, temperature cycling and intensive use throughout that period.

Long life also shapes the component supply chain. Spare parts must remain available for thirty years, electronic components going out of production must be replaced, and every substitution must be re-verified. This takes railways out of a "certify once and carry on" logic.

Fire safety is the most tightly regulated part of the field and runs through the EN 45545 series. The logic of the series rests on the LOCATION OF USE and the OPERATION CATEGORY: a metro running in tunnels and an intercity train do not carry the same risk, and seat fabric and cable are not assessed in the same category. Evacuation time is the main factor setting these categories; because evacuation takes longer in an enclosed tunnel, the material requirements become stricter.

For electronic equipment, EN 50155 is the framework standard and carries environmental, electrical and functional requirements together: supply voltage variations, temperature classes, humidity, vibration and shock. On the vibration and shock side the EN 61373 categories are used and these differ by mounting location — a box mounted on the body and a sensor mounted on the bogie do not go through the same profile.

On electromagnetic compatibility the EN 50121 series applies and addresses a problem peculiar to railways: the traction system switches at very high power and can affect both the systems on board and the signalling along the line. The series therefore carries separate parts for the vehicle, lineside installations and signalling.

For safety-related systems a separate body of work applies, and here the evidence is not testing but PROCESS: EN 50126 (RAMS), EN 50128 (software) and EN 50129 (safety-related electronic systems) define the safety life cycle and the safety integrity levels (SIL). Signalling and brake control systems are assessed within this framework.

On the quality side, the sector's own scheme IRIS (ISO/TS 22163) comes into play; major vehicle manufacturers require this certificate from their suppliers.

On the mechanical structure side, the car body and bogie frame have standards of their own: structural verification under static and fatigue loads, weld quality and crashworthiness. These tests are carried out on full-scale rigs and can take months.

Method groups in this field

Fire safety
Classification of materials and components under EN 45545; the requirement set according to operation and design category.
Electronic equipment
EN 50155 environmental and electrical requirements; supply interruptions, temperature classes, humidity and degree of protection.
Vibration and shock
EN 61373 categories; body, bogie and axle-mounted profiles according to mounting location.
Electromagnetic compatibility
The EN 50121 series: separate parts for the vehicle, lineside installations and signalling.
Safety life cycle
EN 50126 RAMS, EN 50128 software and EN 50129 safety-related systems; SIL determination and the safety case.
Structural verification
Static and fatigue loads on the car body and bogie frame, weld quality, crashworthiness.

Commonly confused in this field

EN 45545 requirements vary with the location of use and the operation category; there is no single "railway fire class".
Conformity to EN 50155 does not cover the vibration requirements; EN 61373 is applied in addition.
A civil EMC report is not sufficient for railways; the EN 50121 series defines a different environment and different limits.
For safety-related systems, testing alone is not evidence; safety life cycle records are required.
A component change (even one driven by obsolescence) requires re-verification; in long-life projects this is routine work.
An IRIS certificate is not a product approval; it is a quality system certificate.

Which decisions these results support

Vehicle and component approval, operator acceptance processes
Material selection according to the fire safety category
The safety case and SIL evidence for safety-related systems
Supply chain quality certification
Continuity of component supply and change management

Structure of the Code

Published by: EN
Serial number: 61373
Part: without partition

Codes in the library without release year is kept. The current version changes over time; If the year is specified in your specification, that version is taken as basis, if not specified, the most current version is applied.

Scope

Related Tests and Services

A separate test page based on this code has not yet been released. The code falls within the scope of the following test families.

Technical Requirements

Standard texts are copyright of the relevant organization; test condition, sample and acceptance criteria cannot be fitted here.

Technical requirements specific to your product, once we clarify the scope At offer stage shared in writing.

Relevant Product Groups and Legislation

This code is included in the standard tag of the product pages below.

These product pages carry notes for the following markets: European Union, United Kingdom, USA, Saudi Arabia, China. Whether the standard is mandatory in the relevant market varies depending on the product group and the applicable legislation.

Regulations published with this code on the same product pages:

2014/35/EULVDThe Low Voltage Directive. Governs the electrical safety of equipment operating in the 50–1000 V AC range; the manufacturer makes the declaration, with no notified body involvement.
2014/30/EUEMCThe Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive. Covers both the interference a device emits into its environment (emission) and its resistance to interference from outside (immunity).
(AB) 206/2012EcodesignEcodesign requirements for air conditioners and comfort fans. Sets minimum thresholds and a declaration obligation for seasonal efficiency and sound power level.
(AB) 626/2011Energy LabelEnergy labelling for air conditioners. The class on the label is based on measurement and is one of the first points examined in market surveillance.
(EU) 2024/573F-GasThe Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulation. The refrigerant type and its GWP value directly affect the product's placement on the market and labelling obligation.
2011/65/EURoHSRestriction of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; an integral part of the CE declaration.
2000/14/ATOutdoor NoiseNoise emitted into the environment by outdoor equipment. Whether the outdoor unit falls within scope is assessed according to product type.
(AB) 2019/2021EcodesignEcodesign requirements for electronic displays. Includes on-mode power consumption, standby mode and repairability requirements.
(AB) 2019/2013Energy LabelEnergy labelling for electronic displays. Requires a separate class declaration for SDR and HDR modes and EPREL registration.
2014/53/EUREDThe Radio Equipment Directive. For a product with a radio interface, spectrum, EMC and electrical safety are assessed together; the 3.3(d)(e)(f) cybersecurity articles also apply.
2012/19/ABWEEEWaste electrical and electronic equipment. Requires product marking and registration with the collection system.
(AB) 2019/2020EcodesignEcodesign requirements for light sources. Covers efficiency, colour consistency, switching-cycle durability and product-information requirements.
(AB) 2019/2015Energy LabelEnergy labelling for light sources. An A–G class and EPREL registration are mandatory.
(EC) 1907/2006REACHRegistration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals. Creates a notification obligation for SVHC substances in the product's content.
(AB) 2019/1782Ecodesign (external power supplies)Ecodesign requirements for external power supplies. Sets minimum thresholds for loaded efficiency and no-load power consumption.
(AB) 2022/2380Common Charging InterfaceA common charging solution for certain radio equipment. Requires a USB-C interface and declaration of charging information on the label.
(EU) 2023/1542Batteries RegulationSustainability, safety and transparency for batteries. Carbon footprint declaration, recycled content and the battery passport apply on a staged timetable.
UN Manual of Tests and CriteriaUN 38.3Transport safety of lithium cells and batteries. The T1–T8 test series is applied in the defined order; shipment cannot proceed without a report.
(EU) 2023/988GPSRThe General Product Safety Regulation. Establishes a safety framework for aspects not covered by sector-specific legislation.
(EU) 2024/2847CRAThe Cyber Resilience Act. Cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements; reporting from 11 September 2026, full application from 11 December 2027.
(AB) 1275/2008Ecodesign (networked standby)Minimum requirements for standby and off-mode power consumption in networked equipment.
(EU) 2022/2555NIS2 (indirect)Cybersecurity risk management for essential and important entities; a network-equipment supplier is affected through its customers' obligations.
(EU) 2016/679GDPR (indirect)Devices that process personal data incur a data-protection-by-design obligation.
(AB) 2023/1670Ecodesign (smartphones)Ecodesign requirements for smartphones and tablets. Sets requirements for durability, repairability, spare parts and software-update duration.
(AB) 2023/1669Energy Label (smartphones)Energy labelling for smartphones and tablets; battery life, drop resistance and a repair score are declared on the label.
(AB) 617/2013Ecodesign (computers)Ecodesign requirements for computers and servers. Includes requirements for annual energy consumption, standby mode and power management.
(AB) 2023/1804Alternative Fuels InfrastructureThe Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. Governs connector type, payment and data-sharing requirements at public charging points.
2006/42/ATMachinery DirectiveRisk assessment, essential health and safety requirements and a technical-file obligation.
(EU) 2023/1230Machinery RegulationReplaces 2006/42/EC, mandatory on 20 January 2027 with no further transition period.
2014/68/EUPEDThe Pressure Equipment Directive for pressurised parts; the category is determined by pressure and volume.
2014/34/ABATEXEquipment and protective systems used in explosive atmospheres. The category and conformity route are determined by zone classification.
(AB) 547/2012Ecodesign (water pumps)Ecodesign requirements for water pumps. Sets minimum efficiency index and product-information requirements.
(AB) 2019/1781Ecodesign (electric motors)Efficiency class requirements for electric motors and variable-speed drives.
(AT) 1935/2004Food Contact MaterialsGeneral requirements for equipment in contact with food; material conformity is required for valves in food lines.
(AB) 2020/2184Drinking Water Contact ProductsHygiene requirements for materials in contact with water under the Drinking Water Directive.
2014/29/ABSimple Pressure VesselsA separate directive for series-produced simple pressure vessels; its scope must be distinguished from the PED.
2010/35/ABTransportable Pressure EquipmentThe pi mark and periodic inspection regime for transportable pressure equipment.
2009/48/ECToy SafetyThe Toy Safety Directive. Regulates mechanical, physical, flammability, chemical and electrical safety requirements together; a technical file and safety assessment are mandatory.
EN 62115Electrical toysSafety for electric toys; applies to mains-connected or battery-powered toys.
(AT) 1907/2006 Annex XVII item 51-52Phthalate RestrictionRestriction of certain phthalates in toys and childcare articles.
(AB) 2023/1464Formaldehyde EmissionRestriction on formaldehyde emission from wood-based products (an amendment to REACH Annex XVII).
(EU) 2023/1115Wood and Forest ProductsThe Deforestation Regulation. A deforestation-free supply declaration for wood and derived products; 30 December 2026 for large operators.
(EU) 2024/3110Construction Products (fixed furniture)The Construction Products Regulation's scope is assessed for furniture permanently fixed to a building.
(AB) 1007/2011Textile LabellingTextile fibre names and labelling. Declaration of fibre composition and regulation of the label language.
(AT) 1907/2006 Annex XVII item 43Azo Dye RestrictionRestriction of certain azo dyes in textiles in contact with skin.
(AB) 2019/1021PFAS / PFOA RestrictionRestriction of PFOA and its derivatives under the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation.
(EU) 2016/425Personal Protective Equipment (overlap)The PPE Regulation's scope and category are determined for textiles with a protective function.
(AB) 10/2011Plastics in Food ContactPlastic materials in contact with food. The list of authorised substances, and overall and specific migration limits.
(AT) 2023/2006Good Manufacturing PracticeGood manufacturing practice (GMP) for food-contact materials.
(AB) 2025/40Packaging and Packaging WasteThe Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Recyclability, recycled-content and packaging-reduction obligations; replaces 94/62/EC.
(AB) 2022/1616Recycled PlasticRecycled plastic materials in contact with food.
(AB) 305/2011CPR (transition)Continues to apply during the transition period for product groups where a new harmonised standard has not been published.
EN 13501-1Reaction-to-Fire ClassificationReaction-to-fire class for construction products; a mandatory item of the declaration of performance.
(AT) 178/2002General Food LawThe general principles of food law, traceability and food safety responsibility.
(AT) 852/2004Food HygieneHygiene rules for food businesses and the obligation for a HACCP-based system.
(AB) 1169/2011Food Information to ConsumersFood labelling; nutrition declaration, allergen information and origin information.
(AB) 2023/915ContaminantsMaximum levels of contaminants in food.
(AT) 396/2005Pesticide residuesMaximum residue limits in food of plant and animal origin.
(AT) 2073/2005Microbiological CriteriaMicrobiological criteria for foodstuffs.

Other Adoptions of the Same Number

This number is also published by other bodies. Adoptions may carry a national annex; the code named in your specification is the one required.

IEC 61373

Related Standards

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this standard mandatory for my product?

Whether it is mandatory depends on the product group, the target market and the applicable legislation. Once you tell us your product and market, we clarify in writing whether this standard is required.

How long does the test process take?

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