EN 10219 CE Certification for Welded Structural Hollow Sections

How to apply for CE certification for welded structural profiles according to EN 10219?

Welded hollow structural profiles are widely used in metal structures such as building steel structures, offshore platforms, and engineering machinery. Products exported to the European Economic Area and related markets must comply with the requirements of the EU Building Products Regulation (CPR, Regulation (EU) No 305/2011) and be accompanied by a Declaration of Performance (DOP), bearing the CE marking.

For welded hollow profiles used in load-bearing structures of building engineering, two standards must be met simultaneously: EN 10219 (product standard) and EN 1090 (CE certification implementation standard). EN 10219 specifies the technical requirements (dimensions, mechanical properties, chemical composition, etc.) for cold-formed welded hollow profiles, while EN 1090 is the mandatory certification path for obtaining the CE mark and entering the EU market. Simply put: EN 10219 pipes + EN 1090 certification = legal EU load-bearing structural components.

This article will start with EN 10219, combined with the implementation requirements of EN 1090, to outline the key steps and precautions for applying for CE certification for welded structural profiles.

1. Scope 

This standard applies to cold-formed, untreated welded hollow structural profiles used in load-bearing structures of buildings, civil engineering projects, etc., and specifies their technical requirements, including dimensions, mechanical properties, and chemical composition. The conformity assessment procedure is detailed in EN 1090.

2. Typical Products and Materials 

The products are round, rectangular, or square tubular materials manufactured by cold forming and welding processes, with weld types including spiral welds and straight seam welds.

Commonly used steel grades include:
Non-alloy steel: S235JRH, S275JOH, S275J2H, S355JOH, S355J2H, S355K2H
Normalized/Normalized rolled steel: S275NH/NLH, S355NH/NLH, S460NH/NLH
Thermomechanical rolled steel: S275MH/MLH, S355MH/MLH, S420MH/MLH, S460MH/MLH

3. Product Technical Requirements 

The standard specifies requirements and evaluation methods for the following aspects:

● Dimensions and tolerances
● Chemical composition and carbon equivalent (CEV)
● Mechanical properties (yield strength, tensile strength, elongation after fracture, impact energy)
● Processability (weldability, cold bending properties)
● Surface condition
● Hazardous substance content
● Inspection document type

4. Conformity Assessment System and CE Marking 

According to the CPR regulation, EN 10219 products are generally subject to assessment system 2+. This means that manufacturers must demonstrate conformity in the following two ways to legally use the CE marking:

a. Initial Type Testing (ITT)

A comprehensive initial inspection of a representative sample of the product according to the standard requirements, typically including:

● Mechanical properties (yield strength, tensile strength, elongation after fracture)

● Impact toughness (impact energy)
● Chemical composition and carbon equivalent
● Weldability assessment

b. Factory Production Control (FPC)

Establish and implement a continuous and effective internal quality control system to ensure stable production of products that conform to ITT results. FPC requires control over key aspects, including:

● Personnel qualification and training

● Production and testing equipment
● Product design (if applicable)
● Raw material verification
● Production and process control
● Product identification and traceability
● Non-conforming product control and corrective actions
● Finished product handling and storage
● Internal audit and document record control

5. Certification Implementation Steps

Manufacturers need to obtain assessment and certification from a Notified Body designated by the EU. The main steps are as follows:

1) Preparation and Application: Define the product scope and intended use, select a suitable Notified Body, and submit an application.
2) Initial Type Testing (ITT): Complete product testing under the supervision of the Notified Body (or using its accredited laboratory).
3) Factory Production Control (FPC) Audit: The Notified Body conducts its first on-site audit of the manufacturer's FPC system (i.e., a factory audit based on the CPR 2+ system).

4) Certification and Certificate Issuance: Upon successful audit, the Notified Body issues an FPC Certificate of Conformity. 

5) Signing the Declaration of Performance (DOP) and Using the CE Mark: Based on the ITT results and a valid FPC certificate, the manufacturer signs the Declaration of Performance (DOP) and affixes the CE mark to the product as required.

6) Ongoing Surveillance: Notified bodies conduct regular surveillance audits (usually annually) to ensure the continued effectiveness of the FPC system and maintain the validity of certificates.

Core Value of CE Certification:

For businesses (manufacturers/exporters): CE certification is an essential passport to the European market, significantly enhancing customer trust, strengthening product competitiveness, and effectively reducing commercial and legal risks caused by non-compliance.

For European buyers and engineers: CE certification is the foundation for compliant procurement and safe design. They can fully rely on the performance of steel bearing the CE mark and a Document of Procurement (DoP), thereby ensuring the overall safety and compliance of building structures.

Collaboration between EN 1090 and EN 10219:

Standards	Responsibilities	Who Needs Attention
EN 10219	Specifies the dimensions, mechanical properties, chemical composition, and test methods of pipes	Steel pipe manufacturers, quality inspectors
EN 1090	Specifies Factory Production Control (FPC), Notified Body Audits, CE Marking, and DoP Signing	Steel structure processing plants, exporters, certification applicants

In practice: 

● Steel pipe manufacturers → Provide EN 10219 compliant pipes + EN 10204 3.1 certificate

● Steel structure manufacturers/exporters → Establish FPCs according to EN 1090, pass notified body audits → Obtain CE marking

For further information on the EN 1090 compliance levels (EXC1-EXC4) or notified body selection advice, please contact us: info@hu-steel.com

Read more: EN 10210 Hot-Formed Hollow Sections or Square & Rectangular Tubes Thickness Selection