5 10 月, 2026
What Certifications Do You Provide?
A steel order is covered by a set of documents and certifications rather than by a single certificate. Which ones apply is set by the standard named on the order and by the destination market: a structural or pressure order normally carries a mill test certificate issued to EN 10204 3.1, a project that needs independent verification asks for 3.2, an organisation may hold ISO 9001 for its quality system, and a structural product placed on the EU market may need CE marking. The exact set for an order is confirmed at quotation and named in the contract.
Why this matters
Certificates turn a claim about the steel into evidence a third party can check. They travel with the goods and are read at customs, at incoming inspection and at acceptance, so a missing or mismatched document can hold up a shipment even when the steel is correct. Knowing which document an order needs is part of specifying it, not an afterthought.
The main certificates and documents in steel export
| Document | What it is | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| EN 10204 2.2 | A declaration of compliance with the order, without test results | The manufacturer |
| EN 10204 3.1 | An inspection certificate reporting the actual test results for the heat | The producing mill’s own inspection department |
| EN 10204 3.2 | The same test results, verified and signed by an independent body | The mill plus an independent inspection body |
| Mill test certificate (MTC) | The common name for the inspection certificate that follows the heat | The producing mill |
| ISO 9001 | Certification of an organisation’s quality management system | An accredited certification body |
| CE marking | Conformity for structural steel products placed on the EU market | The manufacturer, or a notified body depending on the system |
| Third-party inspection report | Independent verification of quantity, quality or dimensions | An inspection company |
These are the document types that appear in steel export. They are not alternatives to one another — an order usually combines several — and the certificate always has to name the standard and grade on the enquiry.
How to decide what an order needs
- Start from the standard on the drawing or specification; it usually states the inspection document
- Check the destination market’s rules, which may add conformity marking
- Ask whether the buyer or the project requires independent verification, which moves the document from 3.1 to 3.2
- Name the document set in the order, so it is not left to assumption
What a specific order requires depends on the product, the standard on the enquiry and the destination market — request a quotation and confirm the document set with your order.
Related questions
- What an EN 10204 3.1 certificate means
- EN 10204 3.1 vs 3.2
- CE marking for structural steel
- How to read a mill test certificate
- Pre-shipment inspection for steel
Frequently asked questions
What certifications come with a steel order?
The usual set is a mill test certificate that reports the actual test values for the heat, an invoice, a packing list and a bill of lading. Orders that need independent verification carry an EN 10204 3.2 certificate instead, and some markets require conformity marking such as CE for structural products. The documents an order needs are confirmed with the order.
What is the difference between EN 10204 3.1 and 3.2?
A 3.1 certificate is issued by the producing mill’s own inspection department and reports the actual test results for the heat. A 3.2 certificate carries the same results but is also verified and signed by an independent inspection body.
Does a mill test certificate prove the steel is good?
It proves the reported values were measured for a traceable heat and can be checked against the standard. It is evidence rather than a guarantee, so buyers also match the heat number to the goods and, where needed, arrange pre-shipment inspection.
Can I ask for a specific certificate on my order?
The document set is confirmed per order, depending on the product, the standard on the enquiry and the destination market. State the requirement at the quotation stage so it can be named in the contract.
Send the product, size, grade and quantity you need and we will come back with a worked offer. See the steel product catalogue, how we inspect and certify each order, or request a quotation.