3.1 to 3.2 Material Certification

The fundamental principles of type 3.1 and 3.2 certification are defined in the standard BS EN 10204:2004. The standard is usually applied to metal produced by mills in the form of bars, plates, tubes etc. The standard can also be adapted to functional testing of products manufactured from such metal material (valve bodies, flow meter casings etc.) please click here for more information.

Inspection Certificate Type 3.1

The EN10204 3.1 mill certificate is issued by the mill's QA department which has to be formally independent of the manufacturing department. The type 3.1 certificate confirms that the material is in compliance with the order specification and includes testing and analysis results.

Inspection Certificate Type 3.2

In order for a 3.1 certificate to be upgraded to certificate type 3.2, an independent body must be appointed to perform material / document review, identification and traceability and to witness testing for the purpose of impartial verification of the underlying physical and chemical characteristics of the product.

Remarking Of Products - Upgrading to EN 10204 3.2

The EN 10204 standard can also be adapted to cover the scenario whereby stockists cut products reducing traceability due to lack of product identification marks (heat numbers etc.) on a particular cut section. In such circumstances, stockholders work in conjunction with the inspection body and develop documented processes within their own QA system to ensure traceability. The inspection body then witness drawing and stamping of test pieces, before independently witnessing testing and analysis appropriate to the product and its intended use. Under such circumstances the goods are certified to the intent of standard EN 10204 3.2.

Qtech Control is audited and approved as a Type A, ISO 17020 inspection body for type 3.2 material certification and type 3.2 certification of engineering products by the international accreditation body ASCB. Since 1995 ASCB has accredited over 10 Certification Bodies in the UK and over 90 Certification Bodies internationally.

All of our witness testing and material certificate verification and traceability is carried out by highly experienced and qualified mechanical engineers.

Note:

Witness testing is performed at the preferred laboratory / test house of the client. We do not perform testing in-house.

Our 3.2 product inspection and certification of engineered goods is limited to functional testing only. We do not provide 3.2 material certification post production of engineered goods.