scope:

This European Standard specifies the requirements for brake blocks (otherwise known as shoe inserts) for tread brakes of railway rolling stock. For environmental reasons (reduction of rolling noise) this standard does not cover cast iron brake block requirements, although cast iron brake block technology is still widely used in Europe. Cast iron has already been replaced by composite materials for new rolling stock builds and major steps have been taken by EEC (TSI) and UIC in 2004 to accelerate the change from cast iron to composite materials. This European Standard is applicable to brake blocks of either "K", "L", or "LL" friction level designed to be fitted to tread braked rail vehicles regardless of whether they are used in international traffic or their operation is restricted to national networks. This standard contains the requirements for interfacing the brake block with the rail vehicle, the testing procedures in order to confirm that it satisfies the basic safety and technical interchangeability requirements, the material control procedures to ensure product quality, reliability and conformity, as well health and environmental requirements are fulfilled.