Related Blogs

AUG

14

EN 1090 CE Marking Audit: Complete Checklist, Common Non-Conformities & Preparation Guide

AUG

12

EN 1090 Execution Classes: Complete Guide to EXC1, EXC2, EXC3 & EXC4

AUG

10

EN 1090 WPS & WPQR Requirements: Ensuring Welding Quality and Compliance

AUG

10

Mastering EN 1090 Factory Production Control (FPC): Comprehensive Audit Checklist & Compliance Guide

JLY

31

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

EN 1090 certification in Malaysia is becoming more important for steel fabricators and manufacturers who supply structural steel parts to Europe.For Malaysian companies that make structural steel, knowing the EN 1090 standards can help them manage their production better, show they meet requirements, and get into European construction markets.

EN 1090 sets the rules for making and checking structural steel and aluminium parts.
For manufacturers, following these rules means more than just getting a certificate.It involves setting up good Factory Production Control, managing welds properly, keeping track of materials, having trained workers, doing inspections and tests, and keeping detailed records.

This guide explains everything about getting EN 1090 certified in Malaysia.
It covers what the standards require, the steps to get certified, the CE marking process, what documentation is needed, the costs involved, and how to prepare for certification as a steel fabricator in Malaysia.

What Is EN 1090 Certification?

EN 1090 is a set of European standards that cover how steel and aluminium structures should be built.For structural products sold in Europe, EN 1090-1 explains the process for making sure products meet requirements, EN 1090-2 covers the rules for building steel structures, and EN 1090-3 covers the rules for building aluminium structures.

For Malaysian manufacturers, EN 1090 becomes important when they make parts for projects or customers that need to meet European standards.

It’s important to understand three related ideas:

– EN 1090 – this is the European standard that sets the rules for building steel and aluminium structures.
– EN 1090 certification – this is the process to check if a manufacturer’s production and quality control meet the required standards.
– CE marking – this is the label that shows a product meets European safety, health, and environmental rules.

So, EN 1090 certification and CE marking are connected, but they are not the same.
The right rules and checks must be followed depending on the product and where it will be sold.

Why Is EN 1090 Relevant to Malaysian Steel Fabricators?

Malaysia has a big steel fabrication and manufacturing industry that supports construction, infrastructure, industrial projects, energy, and exports to other countries.

If a Malaysian company makes steel parts for European customers, those customers might want to see that the company can consistently manage its production process and meets the standards required in Europe.

EN 1090 could be important for:

– Companies that make structural steel
– Steel construction manufacturers
– Industrial steel fabricators
– Steel-frame builders
– Companies making steel parts for structures
– Welding fabrication businesses
– Firms sending steel parts to Europe
– Companies supplying European construction companies or project owners

Whether EN 1090 applies depends on the product, how it will be used, the rules in place, and what the project needs.

EN 1090 Requirements in Malaysia

A Malaysian company that wants EN 1090 certification must set up proper controls for its products and the work it does.

Important areas to focus on are:

1 Factory Production Control

Having a written Factory Production Control (FPC) system is very important.

This system should manage tasks like:

– Checking incoming materials
– Managing production processes
– Controlling welding
– Handling cutting and forming
– Putting parts together
– Checking and testing products
– Identifying products
– Keeping track of where products come from
– Dealing with products that don’t meet standards
– Making sure measuring tools are accurate
– Keeping records of production

FPC helps keep track of production in a clear and ongoing way.

2 Welding Control
Welding is a big part of making steel structures.

Depending on what the company is doing and the rules they must follow, they might need:

– Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
– Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR)
– Skilled welders
– Someone to oversee welding
– Checking welding work
– Controlling welding materials
– Managing welding equipment

EN 1090 welding rules are linked to standards like ISO 3834, ISO 9606-1, and ISO 15614-1, depending on the specific needs and the type of work.

3 Material Identification and Traceability
Steel materials must be clearly marked and controlled throughout the whole process.

Important documents to keep are:

– Material certificates
– Heat numbers
– Material types
– Purchasing records
– Incoming material checks
– Identification records
– Records of cutting and moving materials
– Tracking the final product

Keeping good traceability shows that the right materials were used in the final product.

4 Qualified Personnel
People working on tasks that affect product quality must have the right skills.

This includes:

– Welders
– Welding supervisors
– Inspectors
– Production workers
– Quality control staff
– People who do tests and measurements

Welders must be qualified for the welding methods and materials they use.

5 Inspection and Testing
The company needs to have proper checks and tests based on the work they do.

This can include:

– Looking at the product visually
– Checking dimensions
– Checking welds
– Doing non-destructive testing if needed
– Checking incoming materials
– Checking the final product
– Keeping records of all inspections


The level of inspection depends on the product, the standards, the work requirements, and the project needs.

EN 1090 Execution Classes

EN 1090 uses four execution classes: EXC1, EXC2, EXC3, and EXC4.

The right execution class determines the level of fabrication, welding, inspection, traceability, and quality control needed.

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

The right execution class shouldn’t just be picked because it’s less expensive or more widely used.It needs to be determined based on the design and project needs.

For Malaysian steel fabricators, choosing the correct execution class early on is crucial because it can influence welding methods, inspections, documentation, staff skills, and how production is managed.

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

These standards have different purposes.

EN 1090-1 covers the rules for checking if structural parts and kits meet the required standards.

EN 1090-2 includes the technical rules for building steel structures.

For aluminium structures, EN 1090-3 is the right standard to use.

A manufacturer needs to check two things:

  • First, whether their product fits under the scope of EN 1090-1.
  • Second, which specific technical rules apply to how they make their products.

This is important because getting EN 1090 certification isn’t just about having a general “steel fabrication certificate.”

EN 1090 Certification Process in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the EN 1090 certification process usually checks how well a manufacturer follows production and quality control procedures.

Here’s a clear plan to follow:

Step 1: Know What You’re Making
Figure out:


– What products are being made
– How they will be used in structures
– What materials are used
– The manufacturing methods
– The welding techniques
– Where the products will go
– Which EN 1090 execution classes apply

Step 2: Check for Gaps
Compare your current production system with the EN 1090 requirements.

Common areas that may not meet the standards include:
– FPC (Fabrication and Erection) documentation
– Welding procedures
– Qualifications of welders
– Ability to trace materials
– Inspection records
– Equipment calibration
– How welding is coordinated
– How non-conformities are handled

Step 3: Set Up the FPC System
Write down all the steps needed to control production in a consistent way.

Step 4: Check Welding Qualifications
Make sure the welding procedures (WPS), welding procedure qualification records (WPQR), and welder qualifications are up to standard.

Step 5: Put Controls into Practice
Ensure that the procedures you’ve written down are actually followed in the workshop.

Step 6: Get Certified
A certified body will check your systems and production controls.

This check may include looking at documents, visiting the factory, watching production, and reviewing records.

Step 7: Fix Any Issues
If any problems are found, they need to be fixed with proper solutions.

Step 8: Get Certified and Stay Compliant
Once the assessment is successful, you can get the EN 1090 certification for your defined scope.

This is based on the agreed assessment process and requires regular checks to keep the certification valid.

Documents Required for EN 1090 Certification

Malaysian steel fabricators need to get ready with the right papers that match what they do.

Here’s a list of things they should prepare:

– Information about their company and factory
– What products they make
– How their company is organized
– The factory’s rules for controlling production
– How they make their products
– The steps for welding
– Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
– Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR) and related papers
– Certificates showing welders are qualified
– Plans for how welding will be coordinated
– Certificates for the materials they use
– Records that show where each material came from
– Records of all inspections and tests done
– Records of equipment calibration
– Rules for dealing with problems or mistakes
– Records of actions taken to fix problems
– Records of all production activities
– Rules for how to identify their products
– Technical documents related to their work
– The drawings and rules they follow 

The exact set of papers needed will depend on what the manufacturer makes, how they make it, and what rules they must follow.

EN 1090 and CE Marking in Malaysia

One of the most common questions from Malaysian manufacturers is:

“Does EN 1090 certification automatically mean that my products can carry the CE mark?”

Not necessarily.

For products that fall under European construction-product legislation and harmonized standards, the CE mark is linked to the required conformity assessment and declaration of performance procedures.

Under the EU Construction Products framework, manufacturers of certain construction products may have responsibilities related to declaring performance and applying for CE marking when selling their products in the EU market.

Therefore, Malaysian manufacturers should check:

– Whether the product falls under the relevant regulations.
– Whether EN 1090-1 applies to it.
– Which conformity assessment system is needed.
– What Factory Production Control arrangements are required.
– If a notified body is necessary.
– What technical documentation is needed.
– What declaration of performance is required.
– What CE marking requirements apply.

This should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, rather than assuming that all steel fabrication products follow the same CE marking process.

EN 1090 Certification Cost in Malaysia

One of the most common questions from Malaysian manufacturers is:

“Does EN 1090 certification automatically mean that my products can carry the CE mark?”

Not necessarily.

For products that fall under European construction-product laws and harmonized standards, the CE mark is linked to specific conformity assessment processes and declaration-of-performance requirements.

Under the EU Construction Products Regulation, manufacturers of covered construction products may have responsibilities related to performance declarations and CE marking when selling their products in the EU market.

So, Malaysian manufacturers should check:

– Whether the product falls within the relevant regulations.
– Whether EN 1090-1 applies to it.
– Which conformity assessment system is needed.
– What Factory Production Control arrangements are required.
– If a notified body is necessary.
– What technical documentation is needed.
– What performance declaration requirements apply.
– What CE marking requirements are in place.

This should be evaluated for each specific product, rather than assuming that all steel fabrications follow the same CE-marking process.

EN 1090 Certification vs ISO 3834

EN 1090 and ISO 3834 cover different but related areas.

EN 1090 is about how structural parts are made and checked to make sure they meet standards.

ISO 3834 is about the quality needed for welding using fusion methods.

For a steel fabricator in Malaysia, ISO 3834 can help support the quality of welding needed for EN 1090.

But getting ISO 3834 certification does not automatically meet all EN 1090 requirements.

You need to check which standards apply based on the product, the type of work, and where the product will be used.

Common EN 1090 Problems for Malaysian Steel Fabricators

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

Incomplete Material Traceability
Even if materials come with certificates, they can lose their identification during cutting or making the product.

Outdated Welding Documentation
Documents like WPS, WPQR, or welder qualifications might not cover the full range of what’s actually produced.

Weak FPC Implementation
A company might have written procedures, but they might not be followed properly on the factory floor.

Incorrect Execution Class
Thinking that EXC2 works for every project can cause compliance issues.
The right class should be based on the project or design needs.

Poor Production Records
Missing records for inspection, calibration, materials, or welding can make it hard to prove that a product meets standards.

Treating CE Marking as a Logo
CE marking isn’t just a picture on the product.
It’s connected to the required conformity and declaration process in Europe.

How Malaysian Steel Fabricators Can Prepare

Before starting the certification process, manufacturers should do an internal check covering:

Product → Scope → Execution Class → FPC → Welding → Materials → Traceability → Inspection → Documentation → CE/Conformity Assessment

A useful checklist before certification includes:

– Define the product scope
– Find out which EN 1090 requirements apply
– Determine the correct execution class
– Check FPC arrangements
– Review WPS and WPQR
– Check welder qualifications
– Set up welding coordination
– Ensure material traceability is in place
– Review inspection and testing procedures
– Confirm equipment is properly calibrated
– Check production records
– Look into non-conformity controls
– Prepare technical documents
– Find out the right CE-marking or conformity route.

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

For Malaysian steel fabricators who supply structural parts to Europe, getting EN 1090 certification can be a key way to show that their manufacturing is controlled and meets the necessary standards.

The certification process isn’t just about getting a certificate or putting a CE mark on products.
It requires setting up proper Factory Production Control, managing welding processes, having trained staff, tracking materials, doing inspections and tests, and keeping detailed records.

The best way to start is by clearly defining what products you’re making, figuring out what execution and conformity rules apply, checking where your current production system falls short, and then getting ready for the assessment.

For Malaysian manufacturers, starting early can help avoid delays in the certification process and make sure their production methods and paperwork match what European markets require before the official check begins.