This European Standard specifies the technical requirements to minimize the hazards listed in clause 4 which can arise during the commissioning, the operation and the maintenance of catering vehicles when used as intended, including misuse reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer, when carried out in accordance with the specifications given by the manufacturer or his authorized representative. It also takes into account some requirements recognized as essential by authorities, aircraft and ground support equipment (GSE) manufacturers as well as airlines and handling agencies.

This European Standard applies to self-propelled catering vehicles, with seated driver, equipped with a liftable van body.

This European Standard may be applied to catering vehicles used for other purposes provided that a suitable risk assessment is carried out to identify additional hazards or limitations in the requirements of this standard for a particular application. Similar vehicles e.g. cleaning equipment, equipment used for the exchange of aircraft seats, are also covered by this European Standard.

This European Standard does not establish requirements for noise and vibration.

This European Standard does not apply to pneumatic systems.

This European Standard does not apply to unmodified automotive parts approved for public vehicles in the EU and EFTA., when used on a catering vehicle for the purpose for which they are designed.

This part of EN 12312 is not applicable to catering vehicles which are manufactured before the date of publication of this standard by CEN.

This part of EN 12312 when used in conjunction with EN 1915‑1, EN 1915‑2, EN 1915‑3 and EN 1915‑4 provides the requirements for catering vehicles.