Type 2.1 is the most basic declaration. The manufacturer simply states, on a document they produce, that the products supplied comply with the requirements of the order. No test results are provided, and no reference is made to specific inspections. It is essentially a commercial statement of good faith.
The standard outlines four main types of inspection documents, designated by numbers: . The higher the number, the greater the level of verification and third-party involvement. en 10204
The test results are representative but not traceable to the exact delivery. Type 2
A steel mill produces 50 tonnes of S355J2 plates. The QC lab cuts samples from each plate, tests them, and issues a 3.1 certificate stating: "Heat No. H45678 – Yield 365 MPa, Tensile 510 MPa, Impact 47J at -20°C. Complies with EN 10025-2." 4. Type 3.2 – Inspection Certificate Formal Name: Inspection certificate 3.2 Issued by: An independent third party (not the manufacturer’s own inspection department) Third-party verification: Yes – by an entity recognized by the competent authority (e.g., a notified body, classification society, or independent inspection agency) It is essentially a commercial statement of good faith
"Test results from routine production monitoring show typical yield strength of 355 MPa. The supplied products comply with EN 10025." 3. Type 3.1 – Inspection Certificate Formal Name: Inspection certificate 3.1 Issued by: Manufacturer (but by an independent inspection department within the manufacturer) Third-party verification: None externally, but internally independent
EN 10204, officially titled "Metallic products — Types of inspection documents," is a European standard that defines the different types of inspection documents supplied to the purchaser. It does not specify material properties, tolerances, or testing methods. Instead, it answers a critical question: