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EN 1090 Certification Requirements: 15-Point Checklist for Structural Steel & Aluminium Manufacturers

EN 1090 certification in Malaysia is important for steel fabricators and manufacturers who supply structural steel parts to Europe.Knowing the EN 1090 standards helps Malaysian companies improve their production processes, show they follow the rules, and enter European markets. These standards set the rules for making and checking structural steel and aluminium parts. Getting certified isn’t just about getting a certificate; it also means having good Factory Production Control, managing welds properly, keeping track of materials, having trained workers, doing inspections and tests, and keeping proper records. This guide explains everything about EN 1090 certification in Malaysia, including what’s needed, how to get certified, CE marking, required documents, costs involved, and how to prepare for the certification process.

What Is EN 1090 Certification?

EN 1090 is a set of European standards that apply to steel and aluminium structures used in buildings. It includes three parts: EN 1090-1, which covers the requirements for structural products; EN 1090-2, which applies to steel structures; and EN 1090-3, which is for aluminium structures. For manufacturers in Malaysia who make parts for projects in Europe, following EN 1090 is very important.Important terms include EN 1090, which is the standard itself; EN 1090 certification, which shows that a manufacturer meets the required production and quality control standards; and CE marking, which means the product complies with European safety, health, and environmental rules. Even though EN 1090 certification and CE marking are related, they are separate processes, and different rules apply depending on the product and the market it’s being sold in.

Why Is EN 1090 Relevant to Malaysian Steel Fabricators?

Malaysia’s steel fabrication and manufacturing industry is important for supporting construction, infrastructure, industrial projects, and energy, especially through exports. Companies in Malaysia that make steel parts for European customers need to have good production control and follow European standards, especially EN 1090. This standard is important for companies that make structural steel, fabricate steel, build structures, do welding, and export to Europe. Whether EN 1090 applies depends on the type of product, how it will be used, existing rules, and the needs of the project.

EN 1090 Requirements in Malaysia

A Malaysian company that wants to get EN 1090 certification needs to set up strong rules for how products and processes are handled.

Factory Production Control (FPC): Create a written system for FPC.

Manage these tasks:

  • Checking incoming materials
  • Managing production processes
  • Controlling welding
  • Managing cutting and forming
  • Assembling parts
  • Checking and testing products
  • Identifying products
  • Keeping track of where products come from
  • Dealing with products that don’t meet standards
  • Making sure measurements are accurate
  • Keeping records of production

Welding Control: Follow EN 1090 and other standards like ISO 3834.

Need the following:

  • Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
  • Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR)
  • Skilled welders and someone to oversee the work
  • Inspecting welding work
  • Controlling welding materials and equipment

Material Identification and Traceability: Steel must be marked and tracked through all stages of production.

Keep these documents:

  • Material certificates
  • Heat numbers
  • Types of material
  • Records of purchasing and incoming materials
  • Records of cutting and movement
  • Tracking of the final product

Qualified Personnel: People doing tasks that affect quality must be trained (like welders, supervisors, inspectors, production workers, and quality control staff).

Inspection and Testing: Do the right checks based on what the project needs, such as:

  • Visual inspections
  • Checks for dimensions and welding
  • Non-destructive testing
  • Final product inspections
  • Keeping records of all inspections

EN 1090 Execution Classes

EN 1090 includes four execution classes called EXC1, EXC2, EXC3, and EXC4. These classes influence how the product is made and how quality is checked.

Execution ClassGeneral Character
EXC1Basic execution requirements
EXC2Standard execution requirements
EXC3Enhanced requirements for higher-consequence structures
EXC4Special requirements for structures with particularly high consequences

Selecting the right execution class is important for Malaysian steel fabricators because it affects welding techniques, inspection procedures, documentation processes, employee training, and how production is managed. It shouldn’t be decided just by cost or how popular it is.

EN 1090-1 vs EN 1090-2: What Malaysian Manufacturers Should Know

EN 1090-1 sets out the guidelines for checking structural parts and kits. EN 1090-2 provides the technical rules for steel structures, and EN 1090-3 covers aluminium.Manufacturers need to check whether their product is covered by EN 1090-1 and determine which technical rules apply.It’s important to note that EN 1090 certification is not just a general certificate for steel fabrication.

EN 1090 Certification Process in Malaysia

EN 1090 certification ensures the manufacturer follows correct production and quality control procedures.

Step 1: Understand What You’re Making

  • Find out what products you are making, how they will be used, what materials you are using, how they are made, the welding methods you are using, where they will go, and which EN 1090 execution classes apply.

Step 2: Look for Missing Things

  • Compare your production process with the EN 1090 requirements.
  • Check the FPC documentation, welding procedures, welder qualifications, material traceability, inspection records, equipment calibration, welding coordination, and how you handle any problems.

Step 3: Prepare the FPC System

  • Write down all the steps you need to follow to control production consistently.

Step 4: Check Welder Qualifications

  • Make sure your welding procedures (WPS), qualification records (WPQR), and welder qualifications meet the required standards.

Step 5: Put Controls into Action

  • Check that everything in the workshop follows the documented procedures.

Step 6: Get an Independent Check

  • A certified organization will review your systems and controls by looking at your documents, visiting your factory, watching production, and checking your records.

Step 7: Fix Any Problems

  • Solve any issues that are found, using proper solutions.

Step 8: Get Certified and Keep Compliant

  • After a successful check, you get your certification.
  • Keep your systems up to date and pass regular checks to stay compliant.

Documents Required for EN 1090 Certification

Malaysian steel fabricators need to gather all the required paperwork.

  • They should include details about their company and factory.
  • They must write clear descriptions of the products they make.
  • They need to provide information about their company structure.
  • They should follow rules for controlling production in the factory.
  • They have to explain the steps involved in manufacturing.
  • They must follow guidelines for welding processes.
  • They need to have Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) documents.
  • They should keep Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR) and other related papers.
  • They must show proof that their welders are certified.
  • They should have plans for coordinating welding activities.
  • They need to provide documents that confirm the materials used.
  • They must keep records that track where each material came from.
  • They should prepare documents for inspections and testing.
  • They need to keep records of equipment calibration.
  • They should have rules for dealing with problems that come up.
  • They must record any actions taken to fix issues.
  • They need to keep detailed logs of all production activities.
  • They should follow rules for identifying products.
  • They must include any relevant technical papers.
  • They need to follow compliance drawings and regulations.
  • The specific documents needed may vary depending on the manufacturer and local rules.

EN 1090 and CE Marking in Malaysia

Having EN 1090 certification does not automatically mean a product gets a CE mark.

  • CE marking is connected to following the European laws and standards for construction products.
  • Manufacturers need to check if their product is covered by these rules.
  • Find out if EN 1090-1 applies to your product.
  • Figure out which conformity assessment systems are needed.
  • Look into the requirements for Factory Production Control.
  • Check if a notified body is required.
  • Gather all the necessary technical documents.
  • Understand what is needed for the Declaration of Performance.
  • Each product should be checked separately for CE marking because the process can be different for various steel fabrication items.

EN 1090 Certification vs ISO 3834

EN 1090 deals with making and checking structural parts to follow certain standards, while ISO 3834 sets quality rules for welding using fusion methods. In Malaysia, using ISO 3834 can help improve the quality of welds for EN 1090, but just having the certification isn’t enough to meet all the requirements of EN 1090. It’s important to check the right standards based on the specific parts and how they will be used.

Common EN 1090 Problems for Malaysian Steel Fabricators

Manufacturers who are getting ready for certification should pay attention to these important areas:

1. Missing Material Tracking: Some materials might lose their identity during cutting or making the product, even though they need to be tracked for certification.
2. Outdated Welding Info: Welding plans, test reports, and welder qualifications may not match what is actually being done in the factory.
3. Poor Follow-up on FPC: Even if written instructions exist, they may not be followed properly on the factory floor.
4. Wrong Execution Class: Using the wrong class, like EXC2, can cause problems with compliance.The right class should match what the project needs.
5. Not Keeping Good Records: If there are no records for checking, calibrating, or welding, it can make it harder to prove everything is correct during an audit.
6. Not Understanding CE Marking: CE marking isn’t just putting a logo on the product.It means following the right steps to show the product meets all the necessary standards.

To get ready, Malaysian steel makers should do a check on different parts like the product scope, execution class, FPC, welding, materials, traceability, inspections, and papers.
They should also make a list to cover things like setting the scope, using EN 1090 standards, checking the right execution class, looking at FPC setup, checking welding methods and qualifications, making sure materials can be traced, and getting the correct technical documents for the right CE marking process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EN 1090 certification applicable to Malaysian companies?

Yes, Malaysian manufacturers can pursue EN 1090 certification where it is relevant to their products, intended market and applicable conformity requirements. The fact that a manufacturer is located outside Europe does not by itself prevent it from supplying products into European markets.

It can support conformity assessment for applicable structural steel and aluminium components and demonstrate that the manufacturer has appropriate production controls within the defined scope.

No. Applicability depends on the product, intended use, market and applicable regulatory or contractual requirements. A company should determine whether its products fall within the relevant EN 1090 and European construction-product framework.

No. EN 1090 certification and CE marking are related but are not identical. The applicable regulatory route, conformity assessment, declaration and marking requirements must be established for the specific product.

Welding quality requirements are an important part of EN 1090 implementation. The applicable welding quality requirements depend on the execution and product scope. ISO 3834 may be relevant to the manufacturer’s welding-quality system but does not automatically replace EN 1090 requirements.

The timeline depends on the manufacturer’s readiness, scope, documentation, execution class, welding qualifications, FPC implementation and assessment requirements. Companies with established systems generally require less preparation than manufacturers building the system from scratch.

There is no universal price. Certification cost depends on scope, factory size, execution class, existing systems, welding processes, assessment requirements and certification arrangements.

Conclusion

Malaysian steel makers who provide structural parts to Europe can gain an advantage by getting EN 1090 certification. This shows that their production meets the required standards. Getting certified isn’t just about getting a certificate; it also means setting up a Factory Production Control system, handling welding properly, training workers, keeping track of materials, doing inspections, and keeping good records. To start, you need to figure out what products you’re making, find out which rules apply, check your current production process, and get ready for the evaluation. Starting early can help avoid delays and make sure you follow European market rules before the official check happens.