EN17460 adhesive system standard brings new development opportunities

The European standard EN17460, which refers to the adhesive manufacturing of rail vehicles and their components, is a new generation based on the original German standard DIN6701 series. This new standard not only inherits the essence of the DIN6701 series standards, but also achieves a leapfrog improvement in details and breadth. The DIN6701 series standard, as a pioneer in ensuring the quality of adhesive joints, has evolved from a mandatory domestic standard in the Federal Republic of Germany to a universal guideline for the global rail transit industry and its component bonding production process after more than ten years of promotion and precipitation.

However, the wheels of the times are rolling forward, and the rapid development of the global rail transit industry has made the DIN6701 series standards gradually inadequate. The birth of the EN17460 standard is not only an inheritance of this historical standard, but also a transcendence of it, paving the way for its internationalization. In October 2022, the EN17460 standard was officially unveiled, and the next three years will serve as a transitional period, keeping pace with the DIN6701 series standards. During this period, both standards have equal validity, but after the transition period ends, the DIN6701 series standards will exit the historical stage.

In the EN17460 standard, personnel engaged in bonding work are classified into three levels based on their technical abilities, knowledge, and experience: Level 1 is the European Adhesive Engineer (EAE) with comprehensive technical capabilities; Second level European Adhesive Technician (EAS) with comprehensive technical capabilities; Level 3 is the European Operational Technician (EAB) with basic technical skills. This classification is not only more precise, but also provides clear guidelines for the training of personnel at all levels.

With the upgrading of standards, the training guidelines for personnel at all levels have also changed accordingly. The training guidelines for EAE have been changed from DVS-EWF3309 and EWF517 to EWF662; The training guidelines for EAS have been changed from DVS-EWF3301 and EWF516 to EWF662; The training guidelines for EAB have been changed from DVS 3305 and EWF515 to EWF 515. These changes not only reflect technological advancements, but also provide a clearer path for the professional growth of personnel at all levels.

The upgrade from DIN6701 to EN17460 not only brings new changes, but also presents new opportunities. Yifa New Materials Research Institute, as the exclusive authorized certification body of IFAM in China, has accumulated rich experience in the certification of DIN6701 series standards and the training of related personnel over the years. In the face of the new standards, we will continue to make every effort to ensure the smooth certification and personnel training of the new standards, and contribute our strength to the progress of the industry.