What is the EN 17460 Standard?
EN 17460 is the new European standard that regulates adhesive bonding in rail vehicle manufacturing and infrastructure components.
EN 17460 focuses on the adhesive bonding and sealing of rail vehicles and their components. It defines terms and specifies requirements for these processes, regardless of the material of the adherend or the solidification mechanism, strength, and deformation properties of the adhesives.
The standard applies to adhesive bonding and sealing in:
- Development (pre-production)
- Production (in-production)
- Maintenance, including repair (post-production)
- Quality assurance of production, inspection, and maintenance
It officially replaces DIN 6701, and establishes stricter quality controls, improved process validation, and harmonization across European railway regulations.
EN 17460 aligns closely with DIN 2304, the German standard for adhesive bonding in general industrial applications. Together, these standards ensure a consistent approach to structural and safety-critical bonding across different sectors, reinforcing quality assurance and long-term durability.
What Has Changed with EN 17460?
The transition from DIN 6701 to EN 17460 reflects the industry's move towards a European-wide harmonized approach to adhesive bonding in rail vehicle construction.
Wider Scope: While DIN 6701 focused primarily on bonding in rolling stock, EN 17460 expands its applicability to include infrastructure components such as station elements, rail-mounted equipment, and maintenance facilities.
Updated Risk Classification System: EN 17460 refines the classification of bonded joints based on safety relevance, ensuring improved risk assessment and compliance.
Stronger Qualification and Training Requirements: The new standard strengthens training and qualification criteria for bonding engineers and personnel, ensuring higher competence levels in adhesive applications. It follows similar training and competence models as DIN 2304, increasing consistency across industries.
Process Control and Documentation Enhancements: The revised standard places greater emphasis on quality assurance, requiring more stringent process control, record-keeping, and verification methods.
Alignment with Other European Regulations: EN 17460 ensures better compatibility with existing European regulations and industry practices, streamlining certification processes for manufacturers across the EU.
How to get EN 17460 Certified?
The adoption of EN 17460 means that manufacturers must update their adhesive bonding processes to meet the new requirements. Compliance is essential for certification, safety assurance, and long-term reliability of bonded rail components.
To obtain EN 17460 certification, manufacturers must:
- Conduct a Compliance Assessment – Evaluate existing bonding processes to determine necessary changes for compliance with EN 17460.
- Train Personnel & Bonding Engineers – Ensure staff responsible for adhesive bonding meet the qualification requirements defined in the standard.
- Implement Process Control & Documentation – Maintain detailed records of adhesive application procedures, quality control measures, and risk assessments.
- Select Certified Adhesives & Equipment – Use adhesives and application equipment that comply with EN 17460 specifications.
- Undergo Certification Audits – Obtain approval from a recognized certification body through process audits and testing. Unlike DIN 6701, which classified bonding processes into A1, A2, A3, and A4 levels, EN 17460 introduces a revised risk-based classification system that better aligns with European quality control measures and DIN 2304.
How Sika Supports Compliance with EN 17460
Sika provides comprehensive adhesive bonding solutions that align with EN 17460 , ensuring manufacturers can easily transition to the new standard. Our expertise includes:
- Certified Adhesives: A portfolio of high-performance adhesives tested and approved for EN 17460 applications.
- Technical Expertise: Support from bonding engineers to help customers adapt to the new certification requirements.
- Process Optimization: Assistance with process validation, documentation, and compliance audits to meet the stricter quality control measures.
- Training & Certification Support: Programs designed to train personnel and bonding engineers to meet the enhanced qualification requirements under EN 17460.
Why does Compliance Matter?
The transition from DIN 6701 to EN 17460 marks a significant step toward a more unified approach to adhesive bonding across the rail sector. By adopting the latest standard, manufacturers can enhance safety, improve product reliability, and ensure compliance with European regulations.
As a leader in adhesive technologies, Sika is committed to supporting rail manufacturers in navigating this transition and optimizing their bonding processes to meet the latest industry standards.