Materials, geometry and pressure
EN 10204: Metallic products, types of inspection documents
The standard that defines what a 'mill certificate' actually certifies.
Reference noteThis page is an independent plain-language summary written by QUALITAS TR. It does not reproduce the standard. Always work from the current official edition, available from CEN and national standards bodies (for example BSI, DIN, TSE) (official page). QUALITAS TR supports organisations against this standard; it does not certify them.
01Purpose
EN 10204 defines the different types of inspection documents supplied to the purchaser in accordance with the order for the delivery of metallic products.
02Scope
Applies to metallic products such as plates, bars, pipes, forgings and castings, and can be applied to other products.
03Main requirements
- Type 2.1: declaration of compliance with the order, without test results
- Type 2.2: declaration with results of non-specific inspection
- Type 3.1: results of specific inspection, validated by the manufacturer's authorised inspection representative independent of manufacturing
- Type 3.2: as 3.1, also validated by the purchaser's authorised representative or an inspector designated by official regulations
04Typical applications and industries
Pressure equipment, structural steel, bolting and safety critical parts typically require 3.1 or 3.2 documents.
05Audit and inspection considerations
- Does the certificate type match the order?
- Do results meet the material standard?
- Do heat numbers match the material marking?
06Common nonconformities
- 2.2 supplied where 3.1 required
- Results outside standard limits
- Certificates from traders without manufacturer validation
- Heat number not traceable
07How QUALITAS TR can support
We review certificates and act as purchaser's representative for 3.2 through material verification.