The use of the voltammetric response j(vol) (eta) of a potentiodynamic sweep at a slow scan rate v, in place of a steady state polarization curve j(ss)(eta) for the determination of the kinetic parameters of the hydrogen evolution reaction is analyzed. It is proposed to consider j(vol)(eta, v(s)) congruent to j(ss)(eta) when the condition 0.99 <= j(vol)(eta, v(s))/j(ss)(eta) <= 1.01 is verified in the overpotentials range eta <= -0.05 V. It has been also established a simple relationship between the maximum admissible scan rate v(s)(max) and the equilibrium polarization resistance R-p. Finally, the application of this criterion on different electrodes is described and discussed. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.