EN 1090 FOR GLOBAL MARKETS
CE MARKING REQUIREMENTS
STRUCTURAL STEEL FABRICATORS
By First Welding Certification Technical Editorial Team
10 Min Read
08 Sep 2026
01
Defines requirements for the execution and conformity assessment of applicable structural steel and aluminium components.
02
Assesses Factory Production Control (FPC) and applicable production, welding and quality requirements.
03
Provides the manufacturer’s declared performance for applicable construction products under the relevant regulatory framework.
04
Provides the manufacturer’s declared performance for applicable construction products under the relevant regulatory framework.
A steel fabrication company can work in India, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, or other regions and still wonder:
“Do we need EN 1090 certification?”
The answer isn’t just about where your factory is.
It depends on what you make, the role your product plays, where it will be used or sold, the rules that apply, and what your customers or projects require.This is especially important for steel fabricators, PEB manufacturers, aluminum fabricators, exporters, EPC suppliers, and international subcontractors.
Instead of just asking “Is EN 1090 required in India?” manufacturers should ask:
“Does the EN 1090 standard apply to my product, target market, and project?”
This guide explains who needs to check EN 1090 and why it matters globally.
EN 1090 is a standard that covers how steel and aluminium structures are made and how to check the parts of these structures.
The main parts that manufacturers usually work with include:
EN 1090-1 – rules for making sure steel and aluminium parts meet the required standards
EN 1090-2 – guidelines for building steel structures
EN 1090-3 – technical guidelines for building aluminium structures
For manufacturers, EN 1090 is closely connected with Factory Production Control (FPC), welding coordination, WPS, WPQR, welder qualifications, tracking materials, inspections, execution classes, and checking if things meet the standards.
For companies aiming for certification, First Welding Certification Pvt Ltd (PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ, a.s.) provides EN 1090 Certification requirements.
Not all companies that work with steel need EN 1090 certification.
Here are some businesses that should check if EN 1090 applies to their products and markets.
1.Structural Steel Fabricators
Companies that make beams, columns, trusses, frames, bracing, structural assemblies, and parts that support weight should consider whether EN 1090 is relevant to them.
2.PEB Manufacturers
Preengineered building (PEB) manufacturers who create structural frames, columns, rafters, and other parts that carry weight should check if EN 1090 applies to their work.
3.Structural Aluminium Manufacturers
EN 1090 also applies to aluminium parts. EN 1090-3 covers the rules for making aluminium structures.
4.Bridge & Infrastructure Fabricators
Manufacturers supplying bridges, industrial structures, towers, platforms, and parts for infrastructure may need to meet certain project and execution-class requirements.
5.International Subcontractors
A fabrication subcontractor supplying parts to an international manufacturer or EPC contractor may need to prove EN 1090 compliance as part of the supplier evaluation process.
6.Export-Oriented Manufacturers
Indian and other non-European manufacturers supplying structural parts to Europe should check the relevant EN 1090 and European construction product requirements before accepting an order.
A key point that is often missed is:
EN 1090 is not something that is required by law.
How important it is depends on the product, what role it plays in the structure, where it will be used, the country’s regulations, and the customer or project rules.
For products that are going to be sold in the EU, the European Construction Products Regulation sets rules about testing, declaring performance, and using the CE marking.
This means that even an Indian factory could be affected by these rules, even if it’s not in Europe.
The right way to look at this is by following this order:
Product → Role → Intended Use → Place of Sale → Applicable Rules → Customer or Project Rules
This is a more accurate way to understand whether EN 1090 applies than simply asking if a specific country uses the standard.
European Union
The EU is a key market to consider when talking about EN 1090.
For construction product manufacturers, it’s important to think about the rules, checks, Factory Production Control, Declaration of Performance, and CE marking.The European Commission also provides guidance on when EN 1090-1 applies to construction products.
United Kingdom
Do not assume the UK follows the same rules as the EU.
Manufacturers sending products to the UK should check the rules that apply to their product and the place where it will be sold.
India
EN 1090 is not automatically needed for every steel fabricator in India.
However, it can be important for Indian manufacturers in the following situations:
– When sending parts overseas
– When supplying customers in Europe
– When working with international EPC contractors
– When participating in international tenders
– When making products that follow EN 1090
– When needing to meet customer supplier-approval requirements
Other International Markets
For countries outside the EU, manufacturers should check local rules, project rules, and contract needs instead of assuming EN 1090 is always required.
No.
Cutting, welding, or fabricating steel doesn’t automatically mean a company is covered by EN 1090-1.
Ask:
– What product are we making?
– Does it have a weight-bearing function?
– Is it meant to be used in buildings?
– Where will it be sold?
– Does the customer or project require EN 1090?
– The European Commission’s guidance focuses on the product’s role and where it is used when determining if EN 1090-1 applies.
These terms are often mixed up.
EN 1090 Standard
This sets the rules for making and inspecting steel and aluminium components.
EN 1090 Certification
This process checks a manufacturer’s systems and controls, known as Factory Production Control (FPC), within a structured inspection system.
CE Marking
CE marking is tied to the regulations and Declaration of Performance for construction products in Europe.
So:
EN 1090 is not the same as Certification, and Certification is not the same as CE marking.
They are related, but they are different things.
An international manufacturer preparing for EN 1090 should check:
– Factory Production Control (FPC)
– Welding coordination
– Welding Procedure Specification and Welding Procedure Qualification Report
– Welder qualifications
– Material certificates
– Material traceability
– Inspection and testing
– Equipment calibration
– Non-conformity controls
– Production records
– Applicable execution class
– Technical documentation
We make steel so EN 1090 applies automatically.
Not always.
The product’s purpose and how it’s used matter.
“Our factory is in India so European rules do not affect us.”
Where the product is sold matters when sending goods to Europe.
“We already have ISO 9001.”
ISO 9001 is useful.
It doesn’t take the place of EN 1090 requirements.
“We will check certification after winning the order.”
This can lead to issues, delays, and extra costs.
“EXC2 works for every project.”
The correct execution class should be based on the project or design rules, not just because it’s cheaper or commonly used.
Before starting a structural steel project, make sure to check:
Product.
What exactly are we building?
Structural function.
Does it need to hold weight?
Market.
Where will the product be sold?
Regulation.
What rules or standards must we follow?
Customer.
Is EN 1090 required?
Execution class.
Which class is needed?
FPC.
Is our production control system set up properly?
Welding.
Are the WPS, WPQR, and welder qualifications correct?
Traceability.
Can we track materials throughout the production process?
Documentation.
Can we provide the necessary records?
Certification scope.
Does our certification cover the work we’re doing?
No. EN 1090 is not a legal requirement. Its use depends on the product, market, rules and project needs.
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No.
Just because a company cuts or welds steel does not automatically mean EN 1090 applies.
The products structural role, intended use, market and applicable rules must be checked.
No.
ISO 9001 is a quality‑management system standard. It does not automatically show that a product meets the EN 1090 rules for structural components.
Do not pick EXC1, EXC2, EXC3 or EXC4 just because it’s cheaper or more common.
The right execution class comes from the project’s design and technical needs.
For guidance see our [EN 1090 Execution Classes EXC1–EXC4 guide].
The question “Who needs EN 1090?” can’t be answered just by knowing which country a company is in.
A better way to think about it is:
– What are you making?
– Does it have a specific function?
– Where will it be used?
– What rules are in place?
– What do your customers or project requirements say?
For companies in India, EN 1090 can be very important if they are sending parts to European customers or working on big construction projects worldwide. For companies in Europe, it can be part of the process to show that their products follow the necessary rules.
For companies that work with customers in different countries, EN 1090 can be a requirement to be considered as a supplier.
The smart way to handle this is simple:
Decide whether your steel or aluminum products need EN 1090 before you give a quote, make the product, or send it out. If you’re not sure whether your product needs EN 1090, look at what you’re making, where it’s going, and how you control the production before starting the certification process.
First Welding Certification Pvt Ltd (PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ, a.s.) helps manufacturers understand and set up their EN 1090 certification scope, including Factory Production Control (FPC), welding standards, execution classes, material tracking, and inspection and certification needs.
Check Your EN 1090 Certification Scope Before Starting Your Next International Project Find out which EN 1090 requirements apply to you and begin your certification process with us.
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