This European Standard specifies requirements for the approval of a welding process in a fixed plant, together with the requirements for subsequent welding production. It applies to new Vignole railway rails R220, R260, R260Mn and R350HT grade rails of 46 kg/m and above, as contained in EN 13674-1, welded by a flash butt welding process in a fixed plant and intended for use on railway infrastructure. This European Standard applies to the welding of rails into welded strings.