If you are involved in the manufacture of structural steelwork products,
then you are likely to be aware that as of 01 July 2014 the choice is
simple; no certification, no business!
The Construction Products Directive (CPD) of 1989 was conceived to
provide a common framework across the whole of the European Union
to ensure the integrity of buildings and construction works.
Because fabricated steel components are deemed “safety critical”, if you
are involved in the manufacture or supply of these products then under
the CPD it is now a legal requirement for you to adhere to the stringent
requirements of EN 1090. You must also ensure that your products are
appropriately CE marked.
EN 1090 (Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures – Technical requirements for steel structures) is the harmonised European standard covering fabricated structural steelwork. It comprises three
parts:
• EN 1090-1: CE Marking- details the requirements for assessing and
verifying product or service conformity.
• EN 1090-2: Details the technical requirements in the manufacture and
assembly of steel structures.
• EN 1090-3: Details the technical requirements in the manufacture and
assembly of aluminium structures.
The standard affects all companies who manufacture and sell steel and aluminium structures and structural products within the EU. The standard will be relevant to several disciplines within an organisation
Book time for a call or send an email by click either of the buttons below to get in touch.
The standard affects all companies who manufacture and sell steel and aluminium structures and structural products within the EU. The standard will be relevant to several disciplines within an organisation including;
• Civil engineers
• Construction engineers
• Directors, general and site managers
• Quality assurance and quality control personnel
• Procurement personnel • Inspection and non-destructive testing personnel
Having ISO 9001 certification in place will help ease the pain. It is important to note that your products will not achieve a CE Mark unless you can prove that they have been manufactured under a robust Factory Production Control (FPC) system which meets the requirements of ISO 9001 or a similar quality management system.
Furthermore you must also demonstrate that this quality management process has been independently assessed and certified by an accredited body, which has been approved by the European Commission. Regardless of the mandatory requirements relating to EN 1090, many companies have already recognised the advantages of holding certification to ISO 9001.
Implementing an effective quality management system can help reduce waste, ensure the effective use of resources, deliver enhanced customer satisfaction and in many cases is a pre- requisite to be considered for tender opportunities. If your business is already certified to ISO 9001 and you have been audited by a INAB accredited body then your processes will already show an element of compliance with the requirements of EN 1090.
Traceability, compliance, and verification throughout the manufacturing process.
The requirements of EN 1090 ensure that appropriate controls are in place at every stage of the manufacturing process. The standard embraces all processes from the procurement of raw materials through to final inspection and testing. Verification of compliance will include such areas as;
• Material certification of analysis, testing and storage
• Staff training, testing and qualification.
• Equipment calibration
• Consumable certification and control
• Quality control and testing of product
• Control of records and documents, including control off issue
• Product identification and marking
• Internal audit
• Control of non-conforming product
What is an Execution Class?
EN 1090 sets out four Execution Classes (EXC’s), as given below. These classes are based on the end use of the structure and how critical it would be if it failed:
• EXC1 – e.g. Agricultural buildings
• EXC2 – e.g. Residential or Commercial structures
• EXC3 – e.g. Bridges or Stadia
• EXC4 – e.g. Special structures (long-span bridges, frames for structures within the nuclear sector and structures within seismic active areas) etc. (please note that in the case of EXC2, 3 and 4 all welding activities must be controlled by a Responsible Welding Coordinator). For EXC 3 and 4 there must also be verified welding procedures also.
Steps to successful certification and CE Marking
To gain certification and be awarded a CE Mark, you are required to undertake the following:
• Initial type-testing of your products
• Factory Production Control which includes:
• Implementation of FPC system procedures
• Appointment of a responsible welding coordinator (RWC)
• Implementation of welding quality management system (WQMS) procedures
• Further testing of samples taken at the factory in accordance with the prescribed test plan
You must also be assessed by a Notified Body that will carry out:
• Initial inspection of your manufacturing plant
• Initial inspection of your FPC
• Continuous surveillance, assessment and approval of your FPC
The Notified Body will then issue an FPC certificate and Welding Certificate identifying the Execution Class that you have achieved. Beyond safety (the driving force behind EN 1090) Increased safety spawned the birth of EN 1090 and there is no better cause. But implementing a quality management system is not just something worth doing because it is obligatory. Change can be disruptive, can feel uncomfortable and will cost money! But there are numerous up sides to being certified;
• Will allow you to continue selling your products within the EU
• The control of your processes will make for better organisation efficiency
• Better control will ensure effective resource management
• You are likely to reduce waste
• Improved procedures and processes are likely to enhance customer satisfaction
Your next steps to meeting the mandatory requirements of BS EN 1090 and CE Marking
Contact a INAB accredited certification body.
Schedule a call below to chat with our team about EN 1090. You can book a call or simply send us an email!
We can provide an independent of your management system (MS) before and/of after the commencement of the Stage 1 audit of the initial assessment process
First, we gain an understanding of your business to assess whether your documented policy, objectives, continual improvement plans and procedures meet the requirements of MS standard. The readiness of your
implementation programme is also assessed. (For GDPMDS certification, this audit is combined with stage 2 audit.)
The we audit your MS in action, to check that your declared policy, objectives and targets have been effectively communicated, and that your continual improvement plans and procedures are working in practice. Certification is then awarded after successful closures of any outstanding issues.
After you have achieved certification, we undertake regular ongoing audits of your MS to ensure that it is being maintained and that it continues to meet the objectives of your organisation and the expectation of your
customers.
The certificate is valid for 3 years. A recertification audit is conducted on the full MS before the expiry of the certificate.
Copyright © 2024 - All rights reserved. Made with 💖 by Irish Steel
Hello everyone,
I’d like to begin this letter by expressing my immense pride and privilege in being the inaugural President of Irish Steel. Our organisation is dedicated to aiding SMEs in the metalwork fabrication and manufacturing industry across Ireland, aiming to fortify and advance their businesses. We are committed to supporting our members in enhancing their business performance and competitive edge by fostering connections for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences.
The term “Knowledge sharing” may seem abstract, but in the context of Irish Steel, it translates to empowering industry professionals to achieve success! Our focus is on aiding industry members in becoming more professional, profitable, connected, and organised.
My initial encounter with the benefits Irish Steel offers was in 2016 when I joined and was added by Pat to the WhatsApp group he established to connect fabricators nationwide. Shortly after joining, while on a job in Cork, we faced a shortage of 16 special bolts. Despite efforts, no supplier could fulfil our need. I reached out through the WhatsApp group, and remarkably, within hours, a fellow member whom I'd never met before drove over a hundred miles to assist me. This experience truly showcased the incredible potential of connecting individuals who share similar day-to-day challenges.
Such instances are a daily occurrence at Irish Steel, where the team actively provides practical support to its members.
The organisation experienced challenges during the Covid lockdowns, which impacted many people and businesses. However, Irish Steel has now reinvigorated itself, moving past the dark days of Covid. The Association is investing heavily, emerging stronger, more focused, and better than ever. I am honoured to be part of this team, which organised the first-ever awards ceremony tailored for the metalworking industry in Ireland. It was extraordinary to witness so many like-minded individuals gathered, celebrating achievements, and fostering business relationships. I eagerly anticipate the 2024 Irish Steel Awards Dinner & Gala Night.
Earlier, I mentioned the power of connections. Being allied with this team, benefiting from their knowledge, experience, and network, is something that industry members should earnestly consider.
Irish Steel is managed by industry veterans who have established a vast network of members, both domestically and internationally. They have also convened a cadre of technical and business expert consultants aligned with Irish Steel to serve our members. This team, proficient in steel fabrication, manufacturing, and various aspects of running successful manufacturing and contracting businesses, is dedicated to helping members reduce waste, avoid errors, prevent financial losses, build resilience, stimulate growth, innovate, ensure safety, comply with legal requirements, boost profits, diversify, innovate, and scale – the list is extensive.
Kind regards,
Fergus Naughton
2024 President of Irish Steel