Standards Comparison

    CE Marking

    Mandatory
    1985

    EU marking for product conformity to harmonised legislation

    VS

    EN 1090

    Mandatory
    2009

    EU standard for execution of steel and aluminium structures

    Quick Verdict

    CE Marking enables broad EU product market access via conformity declaration, while EN 1090 mandates certified Factory Production Control for structural steel/aluminium components. Companies adopt CE for single-market entry; EN 1090 ensures construction safety compliance.

    Product Safety

    CE Marking

    CE Marking (Conformité Européenne)

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Manufacturer's declaration of conformity to EU legislation
    • Enables free movement across EEA single market
    • Presumption of conformity via OJEU harmonised standards
    • Risk-proportionate conformity assessment modules A-H
    • No central EU approval or certification body
    Structural Metalwork

    EN 1090

    EN 1090 Execution of steel and aluminium structures

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based Execution Classes (EXC1-EXC4)
    • Factory Production Control (FPC) certification
    • CE marking under CPR for market access
    • Welding quality management via ISO 3834
    • Material traceability and NDT inspections

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    CE Marking Details

    What It Is

    CE Marking (Conformité Européenne) is the EU's mandatory conformity marking for products under harmonised legislation. It signifies the manufacturer's declaration that products meet essential health, safety, and environmental requirements. Scope covers categories like electrical equipment, machinery, and medical devices. It uses a risk-based approach with conformity assessment modules (A-H) and voluntary harmonised standards for presumption of conformity.

    Key Components

    • Essential requirements from directives/regulations (e.g., LVD 2014/35/EU, Machinery Directive).
    • Conformity modules scaling from self-assessment (Module A) to full quality assurance (Module H).
    • Technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and CE affixation rules.
    • Built on New Legislative Framework (NLF) principles; no fixed number of controls, legislation-specific. Compliance via self-declaration or Notified Body verification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandated for EEA market access, enabling free movement. Reduces trade barriers, manages liability risks, builds stakeholder trust. Strategic for procurement preference and competitive edge in regulated sectors.

    Implementation Overview

    Map applicable legislation, perform risk assessment, compile technical file, issue DoC, affix mark. Applies to manufacturers/importers across industries; varies by product risk. Self-assessment or Notified Body audits; retain docs 10+ years. Cross-functional teams, 6-12 months typical.

    EN 1090 Details

    What It Is

    EN 1090 is the harmonized European standard family (EN 1090-1, -2, -3) governing execution and conformity assessment of steel and aluminium structural components and kits for construction works. Under the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR), it enables CE marking via a risk-based framework using Execution Classes (EXC1–EXC4) to scale requirements by failure consequences, service conditions, and production complexity.

    Key Components

    • **EN 1090-1Conformity assessment, Factory Production Control (FPC), Declaration of Performance (DoP).
    • **EN 1090-2/-3Technical rules for materials, welding, tolerances, corrosion protection, inspection/NDT.
    • Pillars: ISO 3834 welding quality, traceability, qualified personnel; certified by Notified Bodies with surveillance.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory for EU/EEA market access and CE marking.
    • Mitigates liability, ensures consistent quality, supports high-risk projects.
    • Drives efficiency, builds stakeholder trust, competitive edge in tenders.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, FPC development, welding/personnel qualification, Notified Body certification.
    • Targets fabricators; 6-12 months typical; requires digital traceability, audits.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    CE Marking
    Broad product conformity across multiple directives
    EN 1090
    Specific to steel/aluminium structural components execution

    Industry

    CE Marking
    All sectors with harmonised EU legislation (electronics, machinery)
    EN 1090
    Construction (load-bearing steel/aluminium components)

    Nature

    CE Marking
    Manufacturer self-declaration (some notified body involvement)
    EN 1090
    Harmonised standard under CPR requiring FPC certification

    Testing

    CE Marking
    Self-assessment or notified body modules A-H
    EN 1090
    ITT/ITC plus certified FPC with ongoing NB surveillance

    Penalties

    CE Marking
    Market withdrawal, fines via national surveillance
    EN 1090
    Certificate suspension, product bans under CPR enforcement

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about CE Marking and EN 1090

    CE Marking FAQ

    EN 1090 FAQ

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