First published in 1991 and significantly revised in 2004 (the current version is EN 10204:2004), this standard has become the de facto global language for material certification, referenced in countless international specifications, from ISO standards to ASTM, and is mandatory for products placed on the European market under the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) or Construction Products Regulation (CPR). EN 10204 is built on a hierarchy of responsibility and rigor. At its heart, it distinguishes between statements made by the manufacturer (the producer of the metallic product) and those verified by an independent body not associated with the manufacturer.
EN 10204, officially titled "Metallic products — Types of inspection documents," is a European standard that defines the different types of inspection documents supplied to the purchaser. It does not specify material properties, tolerances, or testing methods. Instead, it answers a critical question:
Crucially, the testing must be witnessed or evaluated by a (e.g., a quality control lab that reports to a different management chain). This ensures internal independence.
Introduction In the world of industrial manufacturing, construction, and engineering, trust is a commodity as valuable as the materials themselves. When a steel beam is used in a skyscraper, a pipe in a chemical plant, or a forging in an aircraft landing gear, the buyer needs absolute assurance that the material meets specified requirements. This is where EN 10204 comes into play.
The standard outlines four main types of inspection documents, designated by numbers: . The higher the number, the greater the level of verification and third-party involvement.
Type 2.2 is a step up. The manufacturer provides a document stating that the products comply with the order, and additionally supplies test results. However, these test results come from non-specific inspections – meaning they are based on the manufacturer’s own internal testing regime, not necessarily on tests performed on the specific delivered lot. The tests could be from previous similar production, from internal quality assurance batches, or from type tests.
"Test results from routine production monitoring show typical yield strength of 355 MPa. The supplied products comply with EN 10025." 3. Type 3.1 – Inspection Certificate Formal Name: Inspection certificate 3.1 Issued by: Manufacturer (but by an independent inspection department within the manufacturer) Third-party verification: None externally, but internally independent
Type 2.1 is the most basic declaration. The manufacturer simply states, on a document they produce, that the products supplied comply with the requirements of the order. No test results are provided, and no reference is made to specific inspections. It is essentially a commercial statement of good faith.
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