Material certificates and traceability: EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2?
A material certificate only proves something if it can be tied to the part you receive. This guide explains the four EN 10204 document types, when a 3.1 certificate is enough and when to specify 3.2, and how heat numbers stay traceable from mill certificate to finished component.
Key takeaways
- 3.1: issued by the manufacturer and validated by its own authorised inspector, independent of production; the usual standard for structural, pressure and machined parts.
- 3.2: also confirmed by the purchaser's inspector or one named in official regulations, such as a class surveyor; costs more and needs planning.
- 2.1 and 2.2: declarations and test reports without specific inspection of the delivered batch; rarely enough for load-bearing or pressure parts.
- Traceability: the certificate covers the material as delivered; heat numbers must be carried onto every cut piece and recorded against the drawing.
Four document types in EN 10204.
EN 10204:2004 defines the inspection documents a material supplier can issue. They differ in who confirms the results and whether the tests were made on the delivered material.
| Type | Issued and confirmed by | Test results |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 Declaration of compliance | Manufacturer | None |
| 2.2 Test report | Manufacturer | Non-specific inspection: results from the same production, not the delivered batch |
| 3.1 Inspection certificate | Manufacturer's authorised inspection representative, independent of production | Specific inspection of the delivered material |
| 3.2 Inspection certificate | Manufacturer's independent inspector and the purchaser's inspector or an inspector named in official regulations | Specific inspection, witnessed and confirmed by both |
3.1 or 3.2: which to ask for.
For most welded structures, machined parts and pressure equipment, 3.1 is the working standard. It gives test results for the actual heat or batch and is signed by an inspector who does not report to production.
3.2 is needed when a contract, a code or a class society requires an independent witness. A third-party inspector or class surveyor attends the tests and signs the certificate, so it costs more and has to be planned into the schedule. State 3.2 per item in the RFQ, together with who will witness, so it is included in the quote.
How traceability survives cutting and welding.
A certificate covers the plate, bar or forging as delivered. Once the material is cut, the link to the certificate depends on the heat number being transferred to every piece and recorded against the drawing, so each part in the finished assembly can be matched to its certificate.
At First In Service, material certificates to EN 10204 3.1 are standard and 3.2 is available on request. Heat numbers are tracked through production, and the certificates are handed over with the part's documentation, together with NDT reports and the dimensional report.
What to put in your RFQ.
- Material grade and the standard it is ordered to
- Certificate type per item: 3.1, or 3.2 with the witnessing party named
- Whether certificates are also needed for welding consumables
- How heat numbers must be marked on the part, for example low-stress stamping on stainless steel
- The documentation format you expect: dossier index, language, digital or paper
Questions buyers ask about material certificates
What is the difference between EN 10204 3.1 and 3.2?
A 3.1 certificate is issued by the manufacturer and validated by its authorised inspection representative, who is independent of the manufacturing department. A 3.2 certificate is also confirmed by the purchaser's authorised inspector or an inspector named in official regulations, such as a class society surveyor.
Is a 2.2 test report enough?
A 2.2 report gives results of non-specific inspection, taken from the same production rather than the delivered batch. For structural, pressure and class work, buyers usually specify 3.1 or 3.2.
Which certificates does First In Service supply?
Material certificates to EN 10204 3.1 are standard, and 3.2 is available on request. Heat numbers are tracked through production, and the certificates are handed over with the part's documentation.
Does a 3.2 certificate take longer?
Usually yes, because a third-party inspector has to witness the tests and sign. State 3.2 in the RFQ so it is included in the quote and the schedule.
Which edition of EN 10204 applies?
EN 10204:2004 is the current edition. Older drawings may still cite DIN 50049, which EN 10204 replaced.
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