This part of EN 13674 specifies switch and crossing rails that carry railway wheels. These are used in conjunction with Vignole railway rails.

This part of this standard is not applicable for the check rails that do not carry railway wheels.

Eight pearlitic steel grades are specified covering a hardness range of 200 HBW to 390 HBW and include non heat treated non-alloy steels, non heat treated alloy steels, heat treated non-alloy steels and heat treated low alloy steels.

There are 34 rail profiles specified in this standard, but they may not all be available in all steel grades.

Rails specified in EN 13674‑1 may also be used as switch and crossing rails and if so used they shall comply with the requirements of EN 13674‑1.