EN 10204 certificate types 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2
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A practical map of EN 10204 inspection documents, from declarations of compliance through 3.1 and independently validated 3.2 certificates.
EN 10204 defines the common inspection-document types used for metallic products. The four familiar designations — 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2 — describe different levels of inspection evidence and validation.
They should not be treated as four versions of the same MTC.
Quick comparison
| Type | Typical description | Test results | Validation concept |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Declaration of compliance | No test results required in the document | Manufacturer declaration |
| 2.2 | Test report | Results from non-specific inspection | Manufacturer declaration/report |
| 3.1 | Inspection certificate | Specific inspection results | Manufacturer's authorized inspection representative independent of production |
| 3.2 | Inspection certificate | Specific inspection results | Manufacturer's authorized inspection representative plus purchaser's authorized representative or inspector designated by official regulations |
The essential distinction is between non-specific inspection documents (2.x) and specific inspection documents (3.x).
Type 2.1 — declaration of compliance
The manufacturer declares that the supplied products comply with the order. The document does not provide test results as the basis of the certificate.
This level is generally unsuitable where the buyer needs heat-specific chemistry and mechanical properties.
Type 2.2 — test report
The manufacturer declares compliance and provides test results based on non-specific inspection.
Those results are not necessarily from the actual products or inspection unit supplied to the customer.
That is a major difference from 3.1 and 3.2.
Type 3.1 — specific inspection certificate
Type 3.1 contains results from specific inspection tied to the defined inspection unit. The certificate is validated by the manufacturer's authorized inspection representative who is independent of the manufacturing department.
This is the most common certificate requested for structural steel, plate, pipe and many engineered metallic products.
For a detailed comparison with 3.2, see EN 10204 3.1 vs 3.2.
Type 3.2 — independent involvement
Type 3.2 uses specific inspection and adds validation by either:
- the purchaser's authorized inspection representative; or
- an inspector designated by official regulations,
in addition to the manufacturer's authorized representative.
The exact project route — purchaser inspector, classification society, notified/recognized body or other TPI — must be established by the contractual specification. A laboratory is not automatically the correct 3.2 validating party merely because it can perform tests.
A higher certificate number does not automatically mean “better steel”
EN 10204 governs the inspection document, not the material grade itself.
A 3.2 certificate does not magically improve:
- chemistry;
- yield strength;
- toughness;
- NDT quality;
- heat treatment.
It changes the inspection/validation route and evidence behind the product's compliance.
The certificate type must be ordered
If the PO requires 3.2, that requirement should be communicated before production and inspection planning. Trying to upgrade stock originally supplied with 3.1 after the fact can be difficult or impossible depending on what witnessing and records are missing.
See Using stock material for offshore projects.
Procurement takeaway
Use the certificate type as part of the purchase specification, not as an afterthought. For most engineered steel purchases, know whether the project requires heat-/batch-specific test results and whether independent validation is contractually required before asking suppliers for price and lead time.
References and verification sources
Standards referenced
- EN 10204:2004
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EN 10204 certificate types 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2
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