General FAQ

What is the difference between “ SN EN ISO” and “ DIN EN ISO”?

In terms of content, EN standards are generally identical (with construction standards being an exception to this rule), that is, the technical paper may not exhibit any contradictions among the different national adoptions with identical editions. EN standards need to be adopted by the respective country (CEN/CENELEC members) as national standards. There can be differences in the national preface and/or annex.

What is the difference between “SN EN ISO 12100:2011-01” and “DIN EN ISO 12100:2011-03”, for example?

The Swiss Association for Standardization adopted “SN EN ISO 12100:2011-01” into the Swiss set of standards in January 2011. The German Institute for Standardization adopted “DIN EN ISO 12100:2011-03” into the German set of standards in March 2011. Both standards are generally identical (with construction standards being an exception to this rule), that is, the technical paper may not exhibit any contradictions among the different national adoptions with identical editions.

What is the composition of a standard?

This is the typical structure of a European standard when it is published as a national standard.

Where can I find an EN standard?

Pure EN standards are not sold. EN standards need to be adopted by the respective country (CEN/CENELEC member) as national standards. There can be differences in the national preface and/or annex, that is, “EN 123” becomes “SN EN 123”.

Do I need the corrigendum to the basic standard?

Yes. A corrigendum is a correction to the existing standard, but these are usually free of charge.

Why am I not able to find the standard I am looking for in the language I want?

Not all standards are necessarily translated into the national language. Contact our SNV team if you cannot find a standard in the desired language.

Is a purely national standard of another country also valid in Switzerland?

National standards are predominantly national in significance.

If I have a basic standard, do I need all the available amendments?

Yes, amendments contain both additions and corrections.

Is a draft standard to be considered a valid standard?

No. It is only a draft, and changes may still be made before the valid standard is finally published.

If there is an SN EN and a DIN EN version of an EN standard, which one should I use in Switzerland?

If you are working with the standard in Switzerland, we generally recommend that you use the national Swiss adoption of the standard, that is, the SN EN version.

If I acquire a standard, may I copy it for in-house use within the company?

No. Standards are subject to copyright. A licence is required to make copies (paper and PDF) or to make standards available to several users on an intranet. Our SNV team would be happy to provide you with related information. You can also find more information here.