Fabrication certification is how a manufacturer demonstrates that its structural steelwork meets recognised quality, safety and legal requirements. Companies manufacturing structural steel for buildings generally need to comply with EN 1090, apply CE or UKCA marking where required, and many also work to ISO 3834 to show effective welding quality management. Together these certifications signal to clients and regulators that the right welding procedures, quality systems and production controls are in place.
This page explains each certification and how they fit together for a structural fabricator.
What is BS EN 1090?
BS EN 1090 is the standard governing the manufacture of structural steel and aluminium components used in construction. Companies manufacturing structural steelwork for buildings generally need to comply with EN 1090 requirements.
Why is EN 1090 important?
EN 1090 helps ensure fabricated structural components meet recognised quality and safety requirements. Compliance demonstrates that appropriate welding procedures, quality systems and factory production controls are in place.
What is CE marking for structural steel?
CE marking (or UKCA marking where applicable) demonstrates that structural steel components comply with relevant construction product regulations. Manufacturers supplying structural steel into regulated markets may need to meet these requirements.
What is UKCA marking?
UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is the UK product marking used for certain products placed on the market in Great Britain. For structural steelwork, UKCA requirements may apply depending on the product and applicable legislation.
What is BS EN ISO 3834?
ISO 3834 specifies quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials. It helps manufacturers demonstrate that suitable welding controls, procedures and quality systems are in place.
Why is ISO 3834 important?
ISO 3834 provides a recognised framework for managing welding quality. Many customers specify ISO 3834 because it demonstrates effective welding quality management throughout production.
How EN 1090, CE/UKCA and ISO 3834 fit together
For a structural steel fabricator these certifications form a connected picture. EN 1090 sets the requirements for manufacturing structural components and underpins CE or UKCA marking, which demonstrates compliance with construction product regulations. The welding quality controls EN 1090 expects are closely aligned with the framework ISO 3834 provides, which is why many fabricators hold both. Behind all of them sit qualified procedures and welders, certified consumables and proper documentation — the other building blocks of welding compliance.
Where Weldability SIF fits
Certified welding consumables — supplied with the right documentation and traceability — help demonstrate that appropriate controls are in place for EN 1090 and ISO 3834. If you are assembling the evidence for fabrication certification and need certified consumables, contact the Weldability SIF team.