Material certificate according to EN 10204
Which inspection document do you need? Types 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2 at a glance
The EN 10204 standard defines which types of inspection documents exist for metallic products: 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2. With type 2.x, the manufacturer confirms values from non-specific inspection, i.e. from ongoing production. With type 3.x, the values come from specific inspection of the delivered batch.
MWA – Mechanische Werkstätten Anhalt GmbH in Halberstadt supplies raw material through its commodity trading and machined parts from its contract manufacturing with a material certificate 2.2 or 3.1 on request, and maintains traceability right through to the finished part.
Guide: inspection documents according to EN 10204
The most important questions about material certificates at a glance: click on a topic to expand it. This guide is a general overview and does not replace the text of the standard.
Which inspection documents are there according to EN 10204?
| Type | Designation | Inspection | Confirmed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Declaration of compliance with the order | no test results, only confirmation of compliance with the order | Manufacturer |
| 2.2 | Test report | non-specific inspection, with test results | Manufacturer |
| 3.1 | Inspection certificate 3.1 | specific inspection of the delivery | Manufacturer's authorised inspection representative, independent of the manufacturing department |
| 3.2 | Inspection certificate 3.2 | specific inspection of the delivery | Manufacturer's authorised inspection representative and the purchaser's authorised inspection representative or an inspector designated by the purchaser |
What is the difference between 2.2 and 3.1?
A test report 2.2 shows values from the manufacturer's ongoing production, not necessarily from the same delivery. An inspection certificate 3.1 shows the chemical composition and the mechanical properties, for example yield strength, tensile strength, elongation and impact energy, of exactly the delivered heat or batch.
If a drawing, a standard or your customer requires an inspection certificate 3.1, a 2.2 is not sufficient.
When is a 3.2 certificate required?
An inspection certificate 3.2 is required when the purchaser wants to supervise the inspection themselves or when a set of regulations prescribes an independent acceptance inspection. In this case, the manufacturer's authorised inspection representative and a representative of the purchaser or a designated inspector confirm the results jointly. The date for the acceptance inspection must therefore be agreed at an early stage.
What does an inspection certificate 3.1 contain?
- manufacturer and purchaser, order and delivery note number,
- material designation, for example S355J2+N, 42CrMo4+QT or 1.4462, and delivery standard,
- heat or batch number, dimensions and quantity,
- chemical analysis and mechanical test results,
- name and confirmation of the authorised inspection representative.
Is a material certificate mandatory?
Not as a general rule. A certificate is required when the drawing, order, product standard or a set of regulations prescribes it, for example in pressure equipment manufacturing or steel construction. Please therefore state the required inspection document in your enquiry.
What applies to machined parts?
A certificate applies to the raw material. For it to be meaningful for your finished part as well, the heat or batch number must be carried along during cutting and machining.
At MWA, material and machining come from a single source: we procure the material with the required certificate, maintain traceability of material and manufacturing and supply the certificate with the finished part, for example in CNC milling or large part machining.
Can a 3.1 certificate be issued retrospectively?
Only if the material can be clearly assigned to a tested heat or batch. If this is not possible, the material must be tested again.
What changed with the EN 10204:2004 edition?
The 2004 edition replaced the former designations 3.1.A, 3.1.B and 3.1.C with types 3.1 and 3.2. A former 3.1.B essentially corresponds to today's inspection certificate 3.1. In Germany, the standard is published as DIN EN 10204.
Does MWA supply material with a material certificate?
Yes. Through our commodity trading, we supply material with a material certificate according to EN 10204 (2.2 or 3.1) on request, as raw material or as a fully machined part. Tell us the material, dimensions, quantity and required inspection document via our enquiry form – we will get back to you within 24 hours on working days.
Do you need material or parts with a material certificate?
Send us your drawing (PDF, STEP, DXF, DWG or IGES) with material, quantity and desired delivery date. We check feasibility free of charge and get back to you with a quote within 24 hours on working days.