CE Marking
EU marking for product conformity to harmonised legislation
EN 1090
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.
CE Marking
CE Marking (Conformité Européenne)
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
EN 1090
EN 1090 Execution of steel and aluminium structures
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
| Aspect | CE Marking | EN 1090 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Broad product conformity across multiple directives | Specific to steel/aluminium structural components execution |
| Industry | All sectors with harmonised EU legislation (electronics, machinery) | Construction (load-bearing steel/aluminium components) |
| Nature | Manufacturer self-declaration (some notified body involvement) | Harmonised standard under CPR requiring FPC certification |
| Testing | Self-assessment or notified body modules A-H | ITT/ITC plus certified FPC with ongoing NB surveillance |
| Penalties | Market withdrawal, fines via national surveillance | Certificate suspension, product bans under CPR enforcement |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CE Marking and EN 1090
CE Marking FAQ
EN 1090 FAQ
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