Standards designations can sometimes appear as cryptic codes. In this blog post, we explain what the different prefixes and numbers mean.
What do the letters in a standard stand for?
The letters within a standard's designation provide information about the organisation responsible for its development. Standards are published at various levels, with some designed solely for national purposes. Others are developed for Europe as a whole and some hold global significance.
European standards are developed and published by a few standards organisations (for example CEN-CENELEC).
Most European countries are obliged to adopt each standard as a national standard. The procedure aims to guarantee a common collection of standards for Europe. These standards are identified by the prefix EN.
For example, the EVS-EN 71 series ensures the safety of toys, particularly for children, covering various aspects of toy safety in Europe. „EVS-EN“ in this case means that the standard has been published in Estonia.
International standards are developed and published by ISO and standards for electrical, electronic and related technologies are developed and published by IEC.
International standards (ISO or IEC) are often adopted as European (EN) standards, in which case they are also nationally adopted as EN ISO or EN IEC.
For instance, EVS-EN ISO 22000:2018 focuses on ensuring the safety of food products throughout the supply chain, and EVS-EN IEC 61000, a series of standards, addresses electromagnetic compatibility requirements. Both are published in Estonia.
Through national implementation, many national standards are based on or identical to international standards.
If you want to ensure you have the right standard before buying it, check either the base documents or use a preview option if possible.
What do the numbers in a standard stand for?
Each standard is given an identification number. The identification number can also refer to different parts of a standard.
For example, EVS-EN 71-1, 71-2, and 71-3 are all parts of the standard EVS-EN 71 for the Safety of Toys. Standard series are often given consecutive numbers. However, not all consecutive numbers are related to each other. Always verify the title of a standard to ensure you have the correct one.
The year of publication can typically be found at the end of the standard's designation.
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FAQ – Standard designations
What does the prefix EN mean?
EN indicates that the document is a European Standard. European Standards are adopted by the national standards bodies and become national standards in those countries.
What is the difference between ISO, IEC and EN standards?
ISO develops international standards across a wide range of sectors. IEC develops international standards for electrical, electronic and related technologies. EN standards are European standards developed or adopted for use throughout Europe.
What does EN ISO or EN IEC mean?
EN ISO and EN IEC indicate that an international ISO or IEC standard has been adopted as a European Standard and subsequently published as a national standard.
What does the year at the end of a standard designation mean?
The year usually indicates when that edition of the standard was published. For example, EVS-EN ISO 22000:2018 refers to the 2018 edition of the standard.