The key welding standards used across UK and European fabrication each govern a different part of the welding process: ISO 9606 qualifies welders, ISO 15614 qualifies welding procedures, ISO 3834 sets welding quality requirements, EN 1090 governs structural steel and aluminium fabrication, EN 10204 defines material certification, and ISO 5817 sets weld quality levels. Knowing which standard applies to which activity is the foundation of a compliant operation.
This page gives a short, self-contained answer for each of the major standards. For the full detail on how they are applied, follow the links to the relevant sub-topic pages.
What is ISO 9606?
ISO 9606 is the international standard for welder qualification testing. It demonstrates that an individual welder has the practical skills to produce welds to an approved standard. Many fabrication companies require welders to hold valid ISO 9606 qualifications.
Why is ISO 9606 important?
ISO 9606 provides confidence that a welder has demonstrated competence under controlled test conditions. It is widely recognised throughout Europe and is often specified for structural steel, pressure equipment and fabrication projects.
For how welder qualification works in practice, see welder and welding procedure qualification.
What is ISO 15614?
ISO 15614 is the international standard used to qualify welding procedures. It specifies how welding procedures should be tested to demonstrate that they produce welds with acceptable mechanical properties and quality.
Why is ISO 15614 important?
ISO 15614 provides confidence that a welding procedure is capable of producing reliable welds before it is used in production. It is widely used across structural steel, pressure equipment and manufacturing industries.
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. For how it relates to structural fabrication certification, see fabrication certification.
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. Read more on the fabrication certification page.
What is EN 10204?
EN 10204 is the European standard for inspection documents supplied with metallic products. It defines the different types of material certification available, including 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2 certificates. Many welding consumables and materials are supplied with EN 10204 certification to provide traceability and quality assurance. See consumable certification and traceability for the certificate types in detail.
What is ISO 5817?
ISO 5817 specifies quality levels for imperfections in welded joints. It defines acceptance criteria for weld defects based on three quality levels: B, C and D. The required quality level depends on the application and customer specification. See weld inspection and acceptance criteria for how these levels are used in inspection.
What is ISO 14731?
ISO 14731 defines the responsibilities of welding coordination personnel. It outlines the knowledge and responsibilities required to manage welding activities effectively. The role of the welding coordinator is covered on the welder and procedure qualification page.
How the standards relate to each other
These standards interlock. Welders are qualified to ISO 9606 and procedures to ISO 15614; both feed into a welding quality system that may be managed to ISO 3834. Structural fabricators apply EN 1090, which relies on welding quality controls of the kind ISO 3834 describes. Materials and consumables carry EN 10204 certification, and finished welds are judged against ISO 5817 quality levels. Building a compliant process means assembling the right combination for your application.
Where Weldability SIF fits
Many welding consumables and materials are supplied with EN 10204 certification to provide traceability and quality assurance. If you need certified consumables to support compliance with these standards, contact the Weldability SIF team.