The difference between EN 10204 3.1 VS EN 10204 3.2

2025-05-29Leave a message

EN10204 Standard & PED Certification:

1. EN 10204 Certificate Differences Types for Metal Materials
 

Declaration of Compliance (EN10204 Type 2.1)

A manufacturer’s self-declaration stating that supplied products comply with contractual requirements. No test data is included. Minimal accountability; suitable for low-risk applications or trusted partnerships.

Test Report (EN10204 Type 2.2)

Extends Type 2.1 by including manufacturer’s in-house test results (e.g., chemical composition, mechanical properties). Lacks independent verification; relies on internal QA processes.

Inspection Certificate 3.1 (EN10204 3.1)

Issued by manufacturers holding PED 4.3 certification. Requires independent internal inspection (separate from production) with full test data. Must specify the buyer’s name (one certificate per customer).

Inspection Certificate 3.2 (EN10204 3.2)

Issued exclusively by a Notified Body (NB) after third-party testing. Mandates witnessed sampling/testing and traceability audits. Highest credibility; required for high-risk applications (e.g., pressure equipment, aerospace).

PED 4.3 Certification

A Notified Body (NB)-issued qualification for material manufacturers. Covers factory audits, QC systems, and testing capabilities (e.g., tensile, impact, chemical analysis). Annual surveillance audits required. Enables issuance of 3.1 certificates for compliant materials.

2. Comparative Analysis Table
 

Criteria

Type 2.1

Type 2.2

Type 3.1

Type 3.2

PED 4.3

Issuing Authority

Manufacturer

Manufacturer

Manufacturer (PED 4.3 holder)

Notified Body (NB)

Notified Body (NB)

Test Data Included

No

Manufacturer’s data

Manufacturer’s data (independent QA)

NB-verified test results

N/A (Certifies manufacturer)

Independence

None

None

Internal QA separation

Full third-party oversight

Factory system certification

Regulatory Requirement

Voluntary

Voluntary

Often required for CE/PED

Mandatory for high-risk sectors

Mandatory for PED compliance

Cost & Lead Time

Low

Moderate

Moderate (PED maintenance costs)

High (NB fees, extended testing)

High (annual audits)

Typical Applications

Non-critical components

Standard industrial parts

Pressure equipment (low-medium risk)

Nuclear, oil/gas, aerospace

Material suppliers for PED equipment

3. Differentiators: Type 3.1 vs. Type 3.2
 

Aspect

Type 3.1

Type 3.2

Basis of Approval

Manufacturer’s internal QA (with PED 4.3 certification).

Notified Body conducts independent testing and audits.

Testing Scope

Follows EN standards; tests performed in-house.

NB specifies tests (e.g., destructive testing, X-ray inspection).

Traceability

Relies on manufacturer’s documentation.

NB verifies material traceability (e.g., heat numbers, batch tracking).

Legal Weight

Accepted for CE marking under PED.

Required for ASME, AD2000, and other high-risk regulatory frameworks.

4. Industry Applications & Compliance Strategies
 

Low-Risk (EN10204 Type 2.1/2.2): Examples: Structural steel (non-load-bearing), generic fasteners. Advantage: Fast turnaround; minimal compliance overhead.

Medium-Risk (EN10204 Type 3.1): Examples: Heat exchangers, low-pressure vessels. Critical Note: Verify supplier’s PED 4.3 validity and QA separation.

High-Risk (EN10204 Type 3.2): Examples: Subsea pipelines, reactor components. Process: NB witnesses production → samples tested in accredited labs → full documentation review.

PED 4.3 Certification: Prerequisite: For manufacturers supplying materials to PED-regulated projects. Audit Focus: ISO 9001 alignment, testing lab competence, material traceability.

5. Best Practices for Compliance
 

For Buyers: Specify certificate type in contracts (e.g., “EN10204 3.2 mandatory for all pressure parts”). Verify Notified Body credentials (e.g., NB number in EU NANDO database). For Manufacturers: Type 3.1: Maintain PED 4.3 certification with annual NB audits. Type 3.2: Pre-negotiate testing protocols with NBs to avoid delays. Global Alignment: EU: EN10204 + PED. USA: ASME II materials often require NB involvement akin to 3.2. Asia: Local standards (e.g., China GB/T) may accept 3.1 with supplementary testing. EN10204 certificates serve as technical passports for materials in regulated industries. While Type 3.1 balances cost and compliance, Type 3.2 remains the gold standard for critical applications. PED 4.3 bridges the gap by certifying manufacturers’ capability to deliver reliable 3.1 documentation. Strategic selection of certification types with end-use regulatory requirements.