{"id":2001685,"date":"2025-05-26T09:38:56","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T07:38:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abovo.ch\/wissenswertes\/what-to-consider-during-an-esd-audit-in-accordance-with-din-en-61340-5-1\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T11:51:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:51:21","slug":"what-to-consider-during-an-esd-audit-in-accordance-with-din-en-61340-5-1","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.abovo.ch\/en\/good-to-know\/what-to-consider-during-an-esd-audit-in-accordance-with-din-en-61340-5-1\/","title":{"rendered":"What to consider during an ESD audit in accordance with DIN EN 61340-5-1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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ESD audits – for example in accordance with DIN EN 61340-5-1 – are carried out regularly in companies that work with electrostatically sensitive components to ensure that ESD protection is effective.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following article explains what an ESD audit according to DIN EN 61340-5-1 is, what the reasons and objectives are, what preparations should be made, what the result of such an audit is and what exactly is checked during the ESD audit DIN EN 61340-5-1.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an ESD audit according to DIN EN 61340-5-1?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DIN EN 61340-5-1<\/strong> entitled “Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena”<\/strong> is a standard that deals with technical and administrative measures for the protection of electronic components and assemblies against electrostatic discharge, i.e. their ESD protection<\/a>. Specifically, this standard regulates the necessary requirements<\/strong> for the design<\/strong>, creation<\/strong>, establishment<\/strong> and maintenance<\/strong> of an ESD control program<\/strong> as a measure<\/strong> against electrostatic discharge<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DIN EN 61340-5-1 standard <\/strong>is also known as IEC 61340-5-1:2024<\/strong>. The year at the end of the standard refers to the respective version, whereby IEC 61340-5-1:2024 is the latest version of this standard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an ESD audit in accordance with DIN EN 61340-5-1<\/strong>, either an internal employee or an external third party<\/strong> checks<\/strong> whether the requirements for the ESD control program regulated in this standard are met<\/strong>, i.e. whether it complies with the standard<\/strong>, and whether the processes and protective measures defined<\/strong> in the ESD control program<\/strong> are adhered to<\/strong>, i.e. whether it is applied<\/strong> correctly. The ESD audit itself is basically an essential part of a functioning ESD control program<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, the documentation and protocols <\/strong>created as part of the ESD control program are checked <\/strong>and random measurements<\/strong> are carried out as part of an ESD audit<\/strong>. Further points that are checked are listed below in the section “What is checked during an ESD audit”. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Reasons for and objectives of an ESD audit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reasons<\/strong> why an ESD audit in accordance with DIN EN 61340-5-1 is carried out can vary, for example to obtain certification<\/strong> in accordance with DIN EN 61340-5-1<\/strong> or as a control audit<\/strong> to prove that the certified company continues to meet the ESD requirements<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the ESD audit of your own company, it may also be useful or necessary to have an ESD audit<\/strong> carried out at your suppliers<\/strong> to ensure that you receive ESD-protected goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aim of an ESD audit<\/strong> is to ensure that the electronic components in the respective companies are not damaged or destroyed by electrostatic discharges, for example when these components are handled, processed, stored or transported. Thanks to effective ESD protection<\/g>, rejected goods, malfunctions and long-term damage<\/g> that would otherwise occur due to electrostatic discharge are reduced. An ESD audit is therefore in the interest of every company that deals with sensitive electronic components, because in addition to proving ESD conformity<\/strong>, it is also about improving ESD protection measures<\/strong> to prevent ESD damage<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Preparation of the ESD audit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An ESD audit must be prepared well in advance<\/strong>. A central audit element is the ESD control program plan with precisely defined limit values and test procedures,<\/strong> for example with regard to the ESD control elements and ESD protective materials used in the company. Without a basis for comparison<\/strong>, it is difficult to measure the success of the ESD protection measures as part of an ESD audit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, short-term preparatory measures<\/strong> are also recommended before the actual ESD audit. For example, it is advisable to carry out a pre-audit<\/g>, or at least an ESD inspection, in order to identify any deviations from the ESD control program plan<\/g> and any changes to operating procedures<\/g> at an early stage. It should also be noted that the ESD audit not only checks those operating areas<\/strong> that have been defined<\/strong> as ESD-sensitive<\/strong>, but also those areas that have been declared non-ESD-sensitive in order to verify that no ESD protection is actually required there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DIN <\/strong>EN 61340-5-1 is accompanied by DIN EN 61340-5-2 <\/strong>, a manual<\/strong> designed to support users in the development, introduction and monitoring of an ESD control program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another guide to ESD auditing<\/strong> is Part 4 of the EOS\/ESD Association’s “ESD Fundamentals” series entitled “Part 4 Training and Auditing<\/strong><\/a>“, in which principles relating to ESD training and ESD audits are conveyed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Final report and action plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the ESD audit, the audited company usually receives an audit report<\/strong> with the findings and the course of the ESD audit. If the ESD auditor identifies deviations<\/strong> from the ESD control program or other shortcomings in ESD protection, these are documented<\/strong> and, if there is potential for improvement<\/strong>, the auditor can recommend appropriate measures<\/strong>, which are recorded in an action plan<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is checked during an ESD audit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An ESD audit <\/strong>is usually carried out by the ESD auditor<\/strong> in the following steps<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1st verification step: ESD control program and documentation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step in the ESD audit is to check the following points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n