Teknis ESD Coordinator & Auditor training for BS EN 61340-5-1:2024
‘Without training, personnel are often a major source of ESD risk.
With training, they become an effective first line of defense against ESD damage’
(BS EN 61340-5-1:2024, Introduction)
As one of the newest members of the Teknis team, I have had a bit of a learning curve to navigate – when I joined, my knowledge of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) was very basic, and that was only thanks to time spent with hardware engineers in a previous role!
Now, I seem to learn something new every day and have recently been fortunate to join one of our on-site ESD control training sessions.
What stood out most was how easily everyday actions and materials can introduce an ESD risk to components and how difficult the resulting damage can be to detect. ESD control is not simply about having the right equipment in place; it relies on employees understanding why each control matters and applying it consistently.
At the company I visited for training, ESD awareness has become part of the culture - any employee who may work with components at risk of ESD damage, or who may enter an ESD protected area, attends training as part of their induction process.
For me, it certainly made a change to be back in the classroom, and it was interesting to see first-hand just how seriously the implications of ESD are taken by industry.
Keeping up to standard
The training is based on BS EN 61340-5-1:2024, the recognised standard for protecting electronic devices from electrostatic discharge. It helps employees understand both the practical ESD controls they are expected to follow and why those controls are necessary.
What is BS EN 61340-5-1:2024?
‘A comprehensive standard for the control of ESD in the workplace and the protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena’, the standard helps organisations establish and maintain processes and working environments in order to protect ESD sensitive devices to a recognised level.
In short, it defines requirements and limits for ESD control within an organisation, including personal grounding limits, equipment requirements and verification frequencies.
Why follow a standard?
For an organisation, it ensures that products are protected from potential ESD damage and the resulting defects at all stages of production, helping to maintain the highest standards of product quality and remove the risk of costly latent failures.
It also demonstrates to potential customers that the organisation is operating to a known standard and can be trusted when it comes to ESD control. This is an essential requirement for defence, aviation and automotive clients.
Maintaining compliance: the role of an ESD coordinator
Perhaps most importantly, the standard requires that a designated ESD coordinator or programme manager is appointed to ensure adherence across the organisation by ‘establishing, documenting, maintaining, and verifying the compliance’ (5.1.2).
One of the key duties of this role is to ensure that a plan is devised and implemented to ensure that ESD training is ‘provided before personnel handle ESD sensitive devices’ (5.2.2). Regular checks are also required to ensure that the entire programme, including training, is being correctly implemented.
As such, it is important that the designated ESD Coordinator or Programme Manager is themselves fully trained to perform the role at the standard required. Teknis has been a trusted ESD training provider for over 30 years and has trained thousands of ESD coordinators to successfully perform their role.
Teknis: training the ESD experts
Teknis ESD Coordinator training is designed to meet the requirements of BS EN 61340-5-1:2024 and to give coordinators and managers the knowledge and confidence to maintain compliance within their organisation effectively.
The one-day course covers initial ESD awareness and moves through to the responsibilities of the role itself, including how to set up and maintain an ESD control plan for the areas of the business they are responsible for.
Essential practical skills are also taught, such as how to test and audit ESD protected areas and confirm they are always performing to standard.
Teknis ESD Training roadshow 26-27
For 2026/27 we are hosting roadshows across the country for ESD coordinators and managers to join us for the day and receive the latest training. Upcoming dates and locations:
11th November 2026: Bedfordshire
17th March 2027: Southampton
14th July 2027: Birmingham
Our next session will be held on 11th November 2026 at Wyboston Lakes in Bedfordshire and is available for sign-up now – click below to find out more and book your place. We look forward to seeing you there!