This European Standard defines minimum structural requirements for freight wagon bodies. This European Standard specifies the loads vehicle bodies shall be capable of sustaining, identifies how material data shall be used and presents the principles to be used for design validation by analysis and testing. The freight wagons are divided into categories which are defined only with respect to the structural requirements of the vehicle bodies. These structural requirements should not be confused with operating requirements. It is the responsibility of the operator to decide as to which structural category freight wagons shall be designed. Some freight wagon may not fit into any of the defined categories; the structural requirements for such freight wagon should be specified by the operator using the principles presented in this European Standard. The standard applies to all freight wagons within the EU and EFTA territories. The specified requirements assume operating conditions and circumstances such as are prevalent in these countries.