The difference between EN 10204 3.1 VS EN 10204 3.2
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.