Certification according to EN 1090-1 refers to Product and non-System certification and is regulated by Reg. 305/2011 better known as CPR. The CE marking according to EN 1090 is essential to sell products within the EU as it is mandatory to apply the CE mark to give evidence that the products comply with the applicable directives.
The CPR regulation is mandatory starting from 01/07/2013.
The obligation of CE marking according to EN 1090 entered into force starting from 01/07/2014, consequently companies are obliged to adapt to the above requirements. The CPR directive provides for different classes of confirmation of constancy of performance (1, 1 +, 2 +, 3, 4).
The steel and / or aluminium constructions, as foreseen by EN 1090 fall into the system of constancy of performance 2 +, this implies that the manufacturer is responsible for the implementation of the FPC system (Factory Production Control or Factory Production Control) compliant with the provisions of EN 1090, the initial type tests on the product, the maintenance of the FPC and the ongoing tests / checks required by EN 1090; in addition to submitting its FPC to a verification by a Notified Body.
Only after having applied these procedures is the CE mark granted to the manufacturer with the permission to be able to put it on his products.
The affixing of the CE mark indicates that the conformity of the product specifications foreseen by EN 1090 is satisfied, however there may be other constraints (e.g. climatic, environmental, etc.) for which some parameters, for example, are appropriate in Italy, but not in other European Union countries.
This shows that the manufacturer must also take into account the specific obligations of the country where the structure is to be built.
The classes are very important and are aligned in terms of content to ISO 3834 as regards welding processes. ISO 3834 is a standard for quality in welding processes; the standard defines the requirements for personnel, methodology, equipment, non-destructive checks, etc. In addition, ISO 3834 details the activities for keeping the welding process under control (material, base, filler material, process qualification, personnel and operator’s qualification, etc.).
Classes are defined as follows:
EXC1 = Part 4 of ISO 3834 elementary quality requirements is applicable
EXC2 = Part 3 of ISO 3834 normal quality requirements is applicable
EXC3 – EXC4 = Part 2 of ISO 3834 extended quality requirements is applicable
The EN 1090 standard adds other requirements that govern and regulate different processes / activities, and in particular:
- Preparation (e.g. thermal break, drilling)Assembly and trial assembly
- Tolerances
- Corrosion protection
- Mechanical fixings
- Further specification and study of the welding process (e.g. spot welding)
- Finally, it should be remembered that the CE marking according to EN 1090 is applicable to all metal structures, both mass-produced and non-mass-produced, both welded and joined by other fixing systems (e.g. bolted)
