TS EN 62740

TS EN 62740 is the standard that places root cause analysis (RCA) into a common framework and defines the basic principles of RCA, together with the steps that an RCA process should include. In quality and problem-solving practice, RCA focuses on finding the underlying causes behind an event rather than only addressing the visible outcome, so that recurring problems can be prevented.

Where RCA fits in quality management

In general technical use, RCA is applied to investigate nonconformities, failures, errors, deviations, or repeated performance losses in a systematic way. The key distinction is between correcting a symptom and removing the underlying cause that allows the issue to recur. The standard addresses the basic principles of this analysis and the steps a process should include, without limiting RCA to a single industry or a single type of failure.

What users should understand in practice

• RCA is more than the first identification of a problem; it is a structured method for exposing cause-and-effect relationships.
• A root cause is different from the visible defect and refers to the underlying factor that makes repetition possible.
• RCA work is commonly associated with data collection, systematic questioning of causes, and the definition of corrective actions.
• This standard gathers the basic principles of the RCA process within a common terminology and method logic.

For that reason, TS EN 62740 serves as a conceptual reference that helps organizations approach incident investigation more consistently. It focuses on what RCA is and how an RCA process should be structured, providing a general technical framework rather than a sector-specific application guide.