CE MARKING

EN 1090

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CE Marking vs EN 1090: Key Differences Every Manufacturer and Exporter Should Know (2026 Guide)

By PZVAR Technical Editorial Team

6 Min Read

20 July 2026

Key Takeaways

CE Marking

EN 1090

Certification

Security

Introduction:

Producers who want to make and sell construction materials like structural steel and aluminum in Europe might need to know about two key things: CE marking and EN 1090 certification.Many people think these two are the same, but they are actually different and it’s important to understand the difference to follow European rules.Whether you’re making structural steel, metal parts, bridges, industrial buildings, railway equipment, or other construction materials, understanding how these two concepts work together can help you better understand your customers, set up good quality control systems, and feel more confident when selling your products overseas.Knowing these requirements also helps producers create better Factory Production Control (FPC), ensure strong welding, and follow the CPR rules.

This guide explains the differences between CE marking and EN 1090, how they are connected, when they are needed, what documents are required for each, and some common mistakes that manufacturers should avoid.
If you’re getting ready for your first EN 1090 certification or looking to improve your current quality system, this guide is for you.

CE Marking vs EN 1090: Quick Answer

Even though CE Marking and EN 1090 are related, they are different.

CE Marking is a symbol that manufacturers use to show their products follow certain rules set by Europe for construction.
This helps them sell their products in Europe.

EN 1090 is a specific rule in Europe that tells how to make structural steel and aluminum parts correctly.
It includes how to manage production, how to weld, the Factory Production Control system, and how to check if the products meet the required standards under the Construction Products Regulation.

What Is CE Marking?

CE marking is a declaration from the product manufacturer that the product meets all the EU rules that apply to it.This means the product has been checked to ensure it follows these rules and any related standards before it is sold in Europe.

For construction products made from structural steel and aluminum, there is a main standard that must be followed – EN 1090.

Reference: Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011.

What Is EN 1090?

EN 1090 is a European standard that sets the rules for making structural steel and aluminium parts used in construction.It covers important areas like welding, Factory Production Control (FPC), tracking where parts come from, and checking if they meet the required standards.The main aim is to help makers create construction products that are safe and trustworthy.

Reference: EN 1090-1 Standard.

CE Marking vs EN 1090: Side-by-Side Comparison

Comparison	CE Marking	EN 1090
What is it?	A manufacturer's declaration of conformity indicating that a product meets applicable European Union legislation.	A European standard specifying requirements for the fabrication and conformity assessment of structural steel and aluminium components.
Primary Purpose	Demonstrates that a product complies with EU safety, health, and environmental requirements.	Ensures structural steel and aluminium components are manufactured under a certified Factory Production Control (FPC) system.
Focus	Compliance of the finished product before it is placed on the European market.	Manufacturing quality, welding processes, traceability, and production control.
Applies To	Products covered under applicable EU Directives or Regulations, including construction products.	Manufacturers and fabricators of structural steel and aluminium components intended for construction.
Legal Basis	Based on applicable EU Directives and Regulations, including the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).	Based on the EN 1090 series of standards and the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
Certification Requirement	Manufacturer prepares a Declaration of Performance (DoP) or Declaration of Conformity and affixes the CE Mark where applicable.	Requires Factory Production Control (FPC) certification issued by a Notified Body before CE Marking can be applied to structural components.
Quality Control	Product testing and conformity assessment according to applicable legislation.	Comprehensive quality management including welding procedures, qualified personnel, material traceability, inspections, and audits.
Who Needs It?	Manufacturers placing regulated products on the European market.	Structural steel and aluminium fabricators supplying products to the European construction market.
Outcome	Products can legally bear the CE Mark and be sold within the European Economic Area (EEA), where applicable.	Manufacturers demonstrate compliance with EN 1090 and can support CE Marking of structural components within its scope.
Relationship	CE Marking is the legal conformity mark for eligible products.	EN 1090 provides the technical and quality requirements that support CE Marking for structural steel and aluminium construction products.

How CE Marking and EN 1090 Work Together

The EN 1090 standards set out the rules for making and ensuring the quality of structural steel and aluminium products.The CE Marking is the process of stating that a product meets the required European standards.In simple terms, EN 1090 tells you what needs to be done during production, and CE Marking shows that the product meets those requirements after it’s made.

Which Manufacturers Need EN 1090?

The EN 1090 standard is usually required for manufacturers producing structural steel or aluminum products meant for the European market, including:

– Structural steel fabricators
– Aluminium structure manufacturers
– Steel bridge makers
– Industrial building producers
– Steel frame builders
– Staircase and handrail manufacturers
– Steel tower and mast producers
– Pipe rack and platform makers
– Architectural steelwork manufacturers
– Exporters of structural steel products to Europe

Understanding Factory Production Control (FPC)

Factory Production Control (FPC) is a quality system required by EN 1090 to ensure that manufacturing processes are consistent.It helps manufacturers keep track of their production process, ensure product quality, manage documentation, and produce structural steel and aluminium products properly.

Execution Classes (EXC1–EXC4) :A Comparison

The EN 1090 standard groups projects into four different Execution Classes (EXC1 to EXC4).Choosing the correct execution class is crucial to make sure the manufacturer follows the proper quality requirements and can properly apply the CE marking to products that meet the standards.

Execution Class	Typical Applications	Risk Level
EXC1	Agricultural buildings, storage sheds, small residential structures, and other simple steel constructions with minimal structural risk.	Low
EXC2	Commercial buildings, residential apartments, industrial buildings, warehouses, offices, and most standard construction projects.	Normal
EXC3	Bridges, stadiums, airports, railway stations, high-rise buildings, and public infrastructure where structural integrity is critical.	High
EXC4	Nuclear facilities, offshore platforms, major suspension bridges, defense infrastructure, and other special or safety-critical structures.	Very High

Documents Required for EN 1090 Compliance

Here are some of the documents usually needed to meet EN 1090 requirements:

– Factory Production Control (FPC) documents
– Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
– Welder qualification certificates
– Welding procedure qualification report (WPQR)
– Material Inspection Certificates (EN 10204 Type 3.1 or Type 3.2)
– Inspection and testing documents
– Declaration of Performance (DoP)
– CE marking documents

Step-by-Step CE Marking and EN 1090 Process

Here are the usual steps to make your product EN 1090 compliant and get it CE marked:

Check if your product needs to follow EN 1090.
Set up Factory Production Control (FPC) to manage how the product is made.
Make sure the welding process and welders are approved and qualified.
Carry out the required inspections and tests on the product.
Get EN 1090 certification from an official body that is approved.
Create a Declaration of Performance (DoP) for the product.
Put the CE mark on the product.

Benefits of EN 1090 Compliance

Some of the benefits of using the standard EN 1090 are:

It makes sure that work follows the right European standards.
It helps get the CE Marking for construction products that qualify.
It improves the quality and dependability of how things are made.
It builds more trust from customers and improves the company’s reputation.
It ensures better welding and production processes.
It makes it easier to track where products come from.
It reduces errors in production and the need to fix things later.
It helps meet the needs of projects and contracts.
It opens up more chances for the business in local and international markets.

Challanges and Common Mistakes

The main challenges manufacturers face when trying to follow EN 1090 are:

Not having full or correct Factory Production Control documents.
Not keeping track of materials properly during production.
Using welders who aren’t skilled or not certified.
Not having up-to-date or missing Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
Not properly qualifying Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR).
Not keeping proper records of inspections and tests.
Choosing the wrong Execution Class (EXC).
Not managing documents and records well.
Not having enough quality control during manufacturing.
Being slow in preparing Declaration of Performance (DoP) documents.

Exporting Structural Steel to Europe

A structural steel maker who wants to send products to Europe needs to follow EN 1090, set up Factory Production Control, go through a conformity check, and then put a CE Mark on the products that meet all the requirements.

EN 1090 is linked to various international standards that cover welding quality, welder qualifications, material inspection, non-destructive testing (NDT), production of structural steel, and the quality of finished products.EN 1090 sets the technical, manufacturing, welding, and FPC requirements.The CE Marking shows that a product meets the relevant European legislation and harmonized standards.Depending on your industry and project, you may also need:

– EN ISO 3834 – Requirements for welding quality

– EN 10204 Type 3.2 – Certificates for material inspection

– ISO 9712 – Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

– EN 10025-1 – Structural steel products

– PED – Pressure Equipment Directive

FAQ

How does CE Marking differ from EN 1090?

CE Marking is a manufacturer’s declaration stating that certain construction products meet all European requirements whereas EN 1090 is the European Standard defining the manufacturing and quality criteria for structural steel and aluminum components.

Is it necessary to have EN 1090 certification to export structural steel to Europe?

Yes. In order to export structural steel and aluminum components in compliance with EN 1090 and related CE Marking requirements, manufacturers need to comply with both standards.

Who should get EN 1090 certification?

EN 1090 targets manufacturers of structural steel and aluminum components which will be used in construction projects described in EN 1090.

Am I allowed to put CE Marking without having EN 1090 certification?

No. For construction products falling under EN 1090 criteria, manufacturers are required to prove their compliance with this standard before putting CE Marking on the product.

What documents are needed for EN 1090 certification?

Some of the common documents are FPC documents, WPS, Welder Qualification Certificates, WPQR, material certificates, inspection reports, Declaration of Performance (DoP), CE Marking documentations.

What is Factory Production Control (FPC) in EN 1090?

Factory Production Control (FPC) is the quality management system which is necessary according to EN 1090 to ensure the manufacturing consistency, documentation, product traceability, and conformity with the standard.

What are Execution Classes (EXC1 to EXC4) in EN 1090?

Execution Classes (EXC1 – EXC4) determine the requirements to the manufacturing quality and control depending on the complexity, purpose and risk of the structural project.

How long does it take to get EN 1090 certification?

The duration of certification depends on the preparedness, documents, FPC implementation, and certification process performance of the manufacturer.

What are the benefits of EN 1090 certification for the manufacturer?

The certificate allows improving the manufacturing quality, getting the right to perform CE Marking, gaining customers’ trust, competitiveness increase, and entering the European construction market.

How can I begin the process of EN 1090 certification?

The certification process usually starts with the identification of whether EN 1090 is applicable to your products, Factory Production Control (FPC), preparation of the necessary documents, and certification through a notified body.

Conclusion

It’s important for producers making and selling structural steel and aluminium to Europe to understand the difference between CE Marking and EN 1090.EN 1090 sets the rules for how products are made and what quality they must meet.CE Marking shows that a product follows European standards.By understanding these differences, manufacturers can improve the quality of their products and sell them in international markets.

Ready to Achieve EN 1090 Certification?

If you’re making structural steel or aluminium parts for the European market, knowing about EN 1090 and CE Marking is the first thing you need to do to follow the rules.If you’re getting your product certified, PZ is the main person you should talk to.We are a well-known Notified Body (NB 2408) that can help certify your products.

Check out our EN 1090 Certification Service or reach out to PZ to talk about your certification needs.

References

1 Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 – Construction Products Regulation (CPR)

2 EN 1090-1: Execution of Steel Structures and Aluminium Structures – Requirements for Conformity Assessment of Structural Components

3 European Commission – Harmonised Standards under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR)