CEN Standardisation

The knowledge of relevant standards and their correct application is an economic factor that should not be underestimated. By providing a constant and comparable product quality they maintain the trust of end customers. In addition, standards create legal certainty for manufacturers.

The application of standards happens on a voluntary base. Only when they are mentioned in contracts or laws, they become mandatory. In terms of liability, however, standards are used as recognised rules of technology. This makes it easier to prove proper conduct.*

European standards for leisure vehicles were first published in 1998. Since then, the CIVD has represented the interests of its members nationally in DIN (German Institute for Standardisation), in European standardisation in CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and in international standardization in ISO (International Organization for Standardization). The standards are subject to regular revision. At the latest every five years, standards are reviewed for the state of the art.

In detail, these are the following standards:

DIN EN 1645-1:2012 Caravans: Requirements for the living area with regard to health and safety

• DIN EN 1646-1:2012 Motor caravans: Requirements for the living area with regard to health and safety
• DIN EN 1647:2012 Leisure vehicle: Requirements for the living area with regard to health and safety

These standards represent the main standards on habitable leisure vehicles. They contain requirements and test procedures for the safety and health of people using a caravan, motor caravan or leisure vehicle. Road safety requirements are not included in the scope.

• DIN EN 1648-1 Electrical installations for DC 12 V – Part 1: Caravans
• DIN EN 1648-2 Electrical installations for DC 12 V – Part 2: Motor caravans

These standards contain the safety, health and functional requirements for electrical systems for 12 V DC in the living area of caravans and motor caravans.

• DIN EN 721 Safety ventilation requirements

This standard defines the minimum requirements for safety ventilation of habitable leisure vehicles and describes alternative methods for calculating or testing safety ventilation. The total floor area is determined separately for caravans, motor caravans and leisure vehicles.

• DIN EN 1949: Requirements for liquid gas installation

The European standard lays down requirements for the installation of liquid gas in habitable leisure vehicles and for residential use in other vehicles. From a safety point of view these are requirements for the selection of materials, components and equipment regarding the construction and leak testing of liquid gas installations and the contents of the operating instructions.

Standards can be purchased at Beuth-Verlag: www.beuth.de

*The descriptions are based on findings of the German Institute for Standardization. Here you will find further information on DIN standards and norms.