Everything You Need to Know About EN 1090

TESTCOO/April 21, 2026

High-quality structural steel beams compliant with EN1900 standards.

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If you work with structural steel, whether as a fabricator, engineer, architect or construction manager, you have almost certainly encountered the term EN 1090. And you’ve probably had more than a few questions about it.

Is it a law? A quality standard? A paperwork nightmare? Or a genuine step toward safer buildings?

Let’s stop guessing. In this blog, we’ll break down EN 1090 using the exact questions that professionals ask most often. By the end, you will know exactly what EN 1090 requires, who needs it and how to stay compliant.

What Exactly Is EN 1090 and Why Was It Created?

EN 1090 is a European standard titled “Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures.” It is not just a set of recommendations, it is a harmonized standard under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) EU 305/2011.

That legal status is critical. A harmonized standard means that if your structural steel product falls under EN 1090, compliance with the standard gives you a presumption of conformity with the CPR. In simpler terms: you can legally place your steel components on the European market with a CE mark.

Why was it created?

Before EN 1090, different European countries had their own national rules for steelwork fabrication. A beam made in Poland might not meet French requirements. This created trade barriers and safety inconsistencies.

EN 1090 was designed to:

Create a single technical language for steel construction across Europe.
Ensure a minimum level of safety for all steel structures.
Replace national standards (like BS 5950 in the UK or DIN 18800 in Germany) with a unified system.

Today, EN 1090 applies to almost all structural steel components, from simple beams in a warehouse to complex bridge sections.

Do I Legally Need EN 1090 Certification for My Steel Products?

This is the million-dollar question for fabricators. The short answer is: it depends on the intended use of your product.

EN 1090 is mandatory when you are placing structural steel components on the market in the EU or UK (for Great Britain, UKCA marking currently applies under similar rules, but EN 1090 is still widely used as a technical basis).

When is it mandatory?

You need EN 1090 certification if:

You are manufacturing load-bearing steel components for permanent works (buildings, bridges, towers, etc.).
You are supplying those components to a third party (not just for your own use on a single site).
The structure falls under a harmonized standard and for steel, EN 1090 is the primary one.

When might you NOT need it?

Small, non-structural components (handrails not part of primary stability).
Structures designed under national rules that predate EN 1090 but are no longer accepted for CE marking.
Internal use within a single company on a private site (though still recommended for safety).

Important note: Even if you think you are exempt, many contractors and main builders will require EN 1090 certification as a condition of tender. Without it, you are likely locked out of major construction projects.

What Are the Different Execution Classes (EXC1, EXC2, EXC3, EXC4)?

EN 1090 introduces a concept called Execution Classes (EXC). This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the standard, so let’s clarify it.

Execution Classes define the level of requirements for design, fabrication and inspection based on the consequences of failure.

Execution Class	Typical Application	Risk Level
EXC1	Agricultural buildings, single-story warehouses with low occupancy	Low
EXC2	Office buildings, residential blocks (most common)	Normal
EXC3	Stadiums, shopping malls, bridges	High
EXC4	Nuclear facilities, major bridges, high-risk public structures	Very high

How is the class determined?

The standard EN 1090-2 (Annex B) provides a method based on:

Consequence classes (CC1 to CC4) from Eurocode EN 1990.
Production categories (I to III).
Service categories (S1, S2).

In practice, the designer (structural engineer) specifies the required Execution Class in the project documentation. The fabricator must then prove they have the capability to work to that EXC level.

Why does EXC matter for certification?

Because your EN 1090 certificate must state which Execution Classes you are approved for. EXC1 requires less stringent quality control than EXC3. You cannot fabricate an EXC3 project with an EXC1 certificate.

Most small to medium fabricators aim for EXC2, which covers the majority of commercial and residential buildings.

What Role Does Welding Play in EN 1090 Compliance?

Welding is the heart of steel fabrication and EN 1090 treats it with intense focus. Approximately 70% of non-conformities during EN 1090 audits relate to welding management.

Key welding requirements under EN 1090-2:

Welding coordination personnel: You must have a named Welding Coordinator (minimum IWS – International Welding Specialist for EXC2 and above).
Qualified welding procedures (WPQRs): Every welding process, material type and thickness range must be qualified.
Welder qualifications: Welders must hold valid certificates (e.g., EN ISO 9606-1).
Welding consumables: Must comply with relevant product standards (EN 13479 for filler metals).

The biggest trap:

Many fabricators assume that if they have ISO 3834 (welding quality), they automatically meet EN 1090. This is false. EN 1090 requires ISO 3834 for EXC2 and above, but it also adds additional requirements for traceability, material identification and inspection documentation.

Practical advice: Your Welding Coordinator should be involved from the first tender review. Without them, you will struggle to produce the required documentation.

How Do I Get EN 1090 Certified? Step by Step

Getting certified is not an overnight process. Typically, it takes 3 to 6 months from start to certificate issuance. Here is the proven step-by-step path.

Step 1: Determine your required Execution Class

Check with your typical clients. If you do general building work, EXC2 is likely. If you only do small agricultural sheds, EXC1 may suffice.

Step 2: Appoint a Welding Coordinator

For EXC1, an IWP (International Welding Practitioner) may be enough. For EXC2 or higher, you need at least an IWS.

Step 3: Develop your FPC System

EN 1090 requires a Factory Production Control (FPC) system. This is not ISO 9001, but it is similar. Your FPC must cover:

Incoming material inspection
Traceability (heat numbers, material certificates)
In-process inspections (fit-up, welding parameters)
Final inspection and testing
Non-conforming product handling

Step 4: Qualify your welding procedures

Perform welding procedure qualification tests (WPQRs) covering your typical materials (S235, S355, etc.) and thicknesses.

Step 5: Select a Notified Body

For EXC2 and above, you must use a Notified Body (e.g., TÜV, Bureau Veritas, SGS, Lloyd’s Register). For EXC1, a smaller certification body may suffice, but still use one that is accredited for EN 1090.

Step 6: Initial audit

The Notified Body reviews your FPC documentation and visits your workshop. They will witness welding, check traceability and interview your staff.

Step 7: Certification and surveillance

If successful, you receive a certificate valid for 3 years, with annual surveillance audits.

What Is the Difference Between EN 1090, ISO 9001 and ISO 3834?

This confuses many people. Let’s break it down simply.

Standard	Focus	Mandatory for EN 1090?
EN1090	CE marking of structural steel components	Primary standard
ISO 9001	General quality management (any industry)	Not mandatory, but helpful for FPC
ISO 3834	Quality requirements for fusion welding	Yes, for EXC2 and above (ISO 3834-2 or -3)

Relationship explained:

ISO 9001 gives you a quality system framework. It does NOT prove welding competence.
ISO 3834 is specifically for welding quality. EN 1090 requires ISO 3834 for higher Execution Classes.
EN 1090 builds on ISO 3834 and adds product-specific rules for steel (tolerances, material traceability, marking and CE marking documentation).

If you have ISO 3834-2, you are about 80% of the way to EN 1090 EXC2. The remaining 20% covers steel-specific issues like material certificates, marking of components and Declaration of Performance.

What Documents Do I Need for an EN 1090 Audit?

Audit failure often happens because of missing paperwork, not poor welding. Prepare these documents before the auditor arrives.

Mandatory documents:

FPC manual (describing your processes for material control, welding, inspection, etc.)
Welding procedure qualification records (WPQRs) for all used processes/materials
Welder certificates (with list of welders and their qualifications)
Material certificates (3.1 or 3.2 according to EN 10204) – heat numbers must be traceable
Inspection and test plans (ITPs) for typical products
Calibration records for welding equipment, torque wrenches, coating thickness gauges
Non-conformance log and corrective action records
Training records for welding coordinators, inspectors and operators
Marking system – how you apply the CE mark and traceability number

Pro tip:

Keep a master log linking each project to its material certificates, weld maps and inspection reports. Auditors love traceability. If you cannot trace a beam to its steel certificate, you fail.

How Long Is EN 1090 Certification Valid and What Are the Costs?

Validity:

Initial certificate: 3 years
Surveillance audits: every 12 months
Recertification audit: every 3 years (before expiry)

Costs (estimated for a medium fabricator, EXC2):

Internal preparation (training, procedure qualification): €3,000 – €10,000
Notified body initial audit fee: €4,000 – €8,000
Annual surveillance: €2,000 – €4,000
Welding coordinator salary: Variable (but often the largest ongoing cost)

For a small workshop (EXC1), costs can be as low as €2,500 – €5,000 total for initial certification.

Return on investment: Many fabricators report winning 30–50% more tenders after certification, especially for public works.

Read More: Industrial Products Inspection | TESTCOO

Ultrasonic testing equipment used for detecting internal defects in steel according to EN1900.

What Happens If I Don’t Comply With EN 1090?

The consequences range from commercial to legal.

Commercial consequences:

Main contractors will reject your bids.
Your products may be removed from site.
You could be delisted from approved supplier registers.

Legal consequences (within EU/UK):

Selling non-compliant structural steel is a criminal offense under the Construction Products Regulation.
Fines can reach unlimited amounts in severe cases.
In case of structural failure, lack of EN 1090 certification will be used as evidence of negligence.

Real-world example:

In 2018, a Dutch steel fabricator was fined €150,000 after supplying EXC3 components for a bridge without valid EN 1090 certification. The auditor found no traceability and unqualified welders. The bridge had to be partially redesigned.

Bottom line: EN 1090 is not optional if you want to operate seriously in structural steel.

Is EN 1090 Still Relevant After Brexit?

Yes, but with a twist.

In Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales), UKCA marking replaced CE marking from 1 January 2023 (with some transition periods). However, the technical requirements for UKCA are nearly identical to EN 1090 because the UK retained the standard as BS EN 1090.

In Northern Ireland, EN 1090 and CE marking still apply directly under the Windsor Framework.

Practical advice for UK fabricators:

If you sell only in GB: use UKCA marking but follow BS EN 1090.
If you sell into EU or Northern Ireland: maintain EN 1090 certification with a Notified Body based in the EU (or UK for Northern Ireland under current arrangements).
Many UK fabricators keep both CE and UKCA to cover all markets.

The standard itself is not going away. It remains the technical backbone for steel construction across Europe and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does EN 1090 apply to aluminium structures as well?

Yes. EN 1090 is divided into parts: EN 1090-1 (general rules), EN 1090-2 (steel) and EN 1090-3 (aluminium). If you fabricate load-bearing aluminium structures (e.g., bridges, towers, some façades), the same certification principles apply.

2. Can I self-certify for EN 1090?

No, not for EXC2 and above. You need an independent Notified Body (for CE marking) or Approved Body (for UKCA). For EXC1, self-declaration is possible in theory, but most contractors still expect third-party certification.

3. How long does an EN 1090 audit take?

Typically 1 to 2 days on site for a medium workshop, plus document review beforehand. For EXC3 or EXC4, it may extend to 3 days.

4. Does EN 1090 require destructive testing of production welds?

Only if specified in the inspection and test plan based on the Execution Class. For EXC2, non-destructive testing (visual, possibly MPI or UT) is common. Destructive testing is usually limited to initial procedure qualification, not production.

5. Can a small one-person welding shop get EN 1090 certification?

Yes. EXC1 is achievable for a single person. You still need a Welding Coordinator (even if part-time external), traceable material records and calibrated equipment. Many micro-fabricators have successfully gained EN 1090 EXC1 and then grown to EXC2.

EN1900 steel inspection report showing passing results and compliance stamps.

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Conclusion: EN 1090 Is Your Passport to Serious Steelwork

We started with many questions and hopefully you now have clear answers. EN 1090 is not just a bureaucratic hurdle. When implemented correctly, it improves weld quality, reduces site failures and builds trust with clients.

If you are a fabricator without EN 1090 certification today, you are operating in a shrinking market. If you are already certified, make sure your Execution Class matches the work you actually win and never let your surveillance audits slip.

The standard may be complex, but the principle is simple: good steelwork is documented, traceable and safe. EN 1090 gives you a framework to prove it.

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