How to view the material

certificate? – Part 1

Base on EN – 10204 ( version 2004 ) & EN – 10168 ( for steel products ):

We will go to know about some points as below:

Part 1 – Know about what type of certificate:

PART 2 – How to view the certificate:

PART 3 – Fake certificate

EN10204 HISTORY:
EN 10204  originally started off as DIN 50049 which was a German DIN standard specifying
the test certificate requirements for metallic products.

I. Part 1 – Know about what type of certificate: 

A. Scope: The EN-10204 specifies the different types of inspection documents supplied to

the purchaser, in accordance with the requirements of the order, for the delivery of
all metallic products e.g. plates, sheets, bars, forgings, castings, whatever their method of
production.This document may also apply to non-metallic products. This document is used in
conjunction with the product specifications which specify the technical delivery conditions of
the products.

B. Type of cert:

–  Inspection documents based on non-specific inspection:

 Type 2.1:  Declaration of compliance with the order “type 2.1”:  Document in which
the manufacturer declares that the products supplied are in compliance with the
requirements of the order, without inclusion of test results.

 Type 2.2:  Test report “type 2.2”:  Document in which the manufacturer declares that
the products supplied are in compliance with the requirements of the order and in which
he supplies test results based on non-specific inspection.

–  Inspection documents based on specific inspection:

 Type 3.1:  Document issued by the manufacturer in which he declares that the

products supplied are in compliance with the requirements of the order and in which he
supplies test results. The test unit and the tests to be carried out are defined by the product
specification, the official regulation and corresponding rules and/or the order. The
document is validated by the manufacturer’s authorized inspection representative,
independent of the manufacturing department. It shall be permissible for the
manufacturer to transfer on to the inspection certificate 3.1 relevant test results obtained
by specific inspection on primary or incoming products he uses, provided that the
manufacturer operates traceability procedures and can provide the corresponding
inspection documents required.
 Type 3.2:  Document prepared by both the manufacturer’s authorized inspection
representative, independent of the manufacturing department and either the purchaser’s
authorized inspection representative or the inspector designated by the official regulations
and in which they declare that the products supplied are in compliance with the
requirements of the order and in which test results are supplied. It shall be permissible for
the manufacturer to transfer on to the inspection certificate 3.2 relevant test results
obtained by specific inspection on primary or incoming products he uses, provided that
the manufacturer operates traceability procedures and can provide the corresponding
inspection documents required.
Simplify: 

–  Correspondence between this European Standard and Directive 97/23/EC: for refer

only
– Take note:
PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF EN10204
In the EN10204:1991 (now withdrawn)

 2.3 no longer exists

 3.1B is now replaced by 3.1
 3.1A is replaced by 3.2
 3.1C is replaced by 3.2

– What does the Independent 3rd Party do Verify a EN 10204 3.2 Certificate: take
example for steel plate: 

The surveyor, as they are known, will visit the steel mill and then identify the material that he
(or she) has to verify.  This includes visual inspection of the steel plates, checking the
dimensions of some on a sampling basis  and confirming that the steel plate can be traced all
the way back to the ladle chemical analysis. This is usually done by using the mill’s EN
10204 3.1 certificate that has already been produced.

The key fact here is to establish that the plate has some marking on it that corresponds to the
the test certificate which in turn has a documentation trail back to the analysis taking where
the steel was being made. The marking on the plate needs to be permanent – ie stamped,
etched or stencilled onto the plate. Paint, chalk and grease marks are not acceptable as they
could easily be wiped off and replaced.

The 3.1 certificate is also checked to determine that the characteristics recorded on it comply
with all the requirements of the standard and a;so for its chemical composition, heat treatment
and any NDE testing. The surveyor then identifies the test sample from the plate or heat
being tested and then visits the test centre whilst the test is being done.

As part of this they will consider not only the test results but also the test process and the
calibration of the test machinery to ensure that the est results are reliable.

Once this is done and everything is in compliance the surveyor then returns to the steel mill
and signs and stamps the en 10204 3.2 test certificate and ensures that the product being
verified is stamped.

– Upgrading EN 10204 3.1 Certificates to EN 10204 3.2: take example for steel plate

A classification society can be appointed to upgrade 3.1 plates at a stockist to EN 10204-3.2.

He does this by reviewing the 3.1 certificate and then visually inspecting the plate to ensure
that it meets the dimensions of the certificate. He’ll also ensure that the heat or other
markings on the plate enable the plate to be traced back to the chemical analysis in the ladle.

Once this is done the surveyor will also check the certificate to confirm compliance of:
 chemical analysis
 mechanical properties
 tensile
 impact
 hardness
 bend tests
 through thickness
 Heat treatment
 Plate Condition
 Corrosion
 NDT testing such as UT

The plate also needs to be retested so a test specimen will be cut and sent to a test facility
where the testing will be witnesses by the surveyor. If all is acceptable a certificate will be
issued by the classification society that st states that the material has been inspected to the
intent of EN 10204 3.2 supported by the original 3.1 mill certificate and the lab test report.
The phrasing here is important  as what the classification society is not a true 3.2 mill
certificate but one that fulfills the intent of the standard. In most cases this is sufficient but
there will be the rare case where this is not acceptable and mill tested 3.2 plate will have to be
purchased instead.

The surveyor will issue a certificate of conformance that details the scope of inspection with
EN 10204 3.2 or the intent of EN 10204 3.2 as appropriate.

– Summary: Type 2.1 & 2.2 apply for non-specific inspection. Type 3.1 & 3.2  apply for
specific inspection. Very importance!!! Pls!!!

How to view the material

certificate? – Part 2
Continue: 

PART 2 – How to view the certificate??? We will take example for Mill cert’, other cert’ is
same procedure.

1. Mill cert: 

A Certified Mill Test Report (CMTR) is a quality assurance document generated by the raw
material manufacturer and provided with the material to intermediate suppliers and ultimately
to a finished goods manufacturer. Whether it’s called a CMTR, Mill Test Report (MTR), Mill
Certification, Metallurgical Test Report, or similar name, this document provides the end user
of the raw material verification that the material received matches the requirements of their
order. CMTRs are also used to maintain traceability of the material from its initial inception
to its inclusion in a finished part.
2. Mill cert review process:

The QC Engineer ( or equivalent dept’ ) is responsible for review of the CMTR to ensure it
meets the engineering and order requirements. Below we have summarized what QC
engineers are reviewing, so that only the correct materials are issued to the shop for
manufacturing. This being another way we support our promise to Reduce Project Risk and
achieve the lowest total cost of ownership for our customers.
3. CMTR FIELD EXPLANATION:
 Point 01 – Material Heat Number
Material manufacturers can identify raw material in different ways, using lot, coil or
other identifying numbers, but ultimately all CMTRs will identify the material with
a Heat Number. The heat number is used to maintain traceability of the material. When
matching a CMTR to its raw material all accompanying paper work and in many cases
markings on the raw material itself must match the heat number on the CMTR.
 Point 02 – Material Grade
Metal materials are produced in various grades. The CMTR identifies the grade of the
material.
 Point 03 – Product Specifications Met: this case is JIS standard. 
CMTRs certify that the raw material meets the appropriate JIS standard. The product
specifications that the raw material meets are listed on the CMTR.
 Point 04 – Material Dimensions
The CMTR identifies the applicable dimensions of the raw material. In the case of plate
material this would be the thickness, round bar the diameter, or flat bar the thickness and
width. This information must match the order requirements.
 Point 05 & 06 – Mechanical Properties / Chemical Analysis
The product specification lists the detailed requirements that the raw material must meet
to be certified to that product specification and grade. The actual measured properties of
the raw material are recorded on the CMTR for the identified heat number. These
properties typically consist of the Mechanical Properties, (#5), and Chemical Analysis,
(#6), The values listed on the CMTR must fall within the range or limits of the product
specification for the raw material to be accepted for use.
 Point 07 – Heat Treatment
Depending on the raw material, there may be other requirements in the product
specification. For example, 300 series stainless steels require a specific heat treatment
which must be recorded on the CMTR.  The reviewer must identify all special processes
in the product specification and confirm they are properly recorded on the CMTR.
 Point 08 – Certified Mill Signature
Finally the CMTR must be certified with the signature of a responsible employee of the
foundry or mill producing the raw material. See above attached.
Certified Mill Test Reports provide a record of traceability and properties of a raw
material, ensuring that the material will perform in the way it was designed to. Deviations
from product specification values can have large consequences, even causing a
component failure.

Summary: The Certified Mill Test Report is a tool used to ensure that received raw material
matches the engineering and purchase order requirements.

How to view the material

certificate? – Part 3 ( Final
part )
Continue: 

PART 3  – Fake certificate:

1. Why have the FAKE CERT?

The Certified Mill Test Report is a tool used to ensure that received raw material matches the
engineering and purchase order requirements. There are clear requirements for what should
go on the certificate but every so often someone tries to produce a fake mill certificate to
sell steel plates fraudulently.

2. HOW TO IDENTIFY A FAKE STEEL MTCS?

 A fake mill certificate is normally fairly easy to spot if you know what you are
looking for. You can sent them an email asking to vendor to clarify this certificate.
 These are key things that this fake mill certificate is missing or wrong.- Vendor name
/ company logo: supplier / manufacturer / stockholder… what company will be added on
mill cert??? Pls take note that: only the company that produre this product, will issue the
mill cert. Stockholder only buy product from the mill and keep them in stock until you
require them (it means it is original company).
– All products are sell will have a certificate to EN 10204. The type of certificate will be
clearly stated
– Because it is a certificate to EN10204 the certificate will also mention that the steel was
produced to an approved quality system. For ex: BS EN ISO – 9001
– If the certificate is to 3.1 or 3.2 it will have the test departments stamp.
– And if it was to 3.2 it would have a mark from a classification society such as Lloyds
Register, DNV, TUV etc. This certificate is to 3.1 and so this is not shown.
– The mill will show their logo
 – And there will be a manufacturer’s mark

3. CONSEQUENCES OF FAKE MILL CERTIFICATES:

 The biggest problem is that if you buy steel with a fake mill certificate your customer
may be able to reject all your work and refuse to pay you. That is because you will not
have met his quality standards.
 From a quality perspective you also don’t have a proper audit trail of the material that
you have used and that can cause you to fail your quality audit, suppliers audits and
produce goods of significantly lower quality that will lose you business.

4. HOW TO AVOID A FAKE MILL CERTIFICATE:

 Do a google search on the name of the supposed mill. Is it a mill or a stockholder? If

it is a stockholder or other company it is almost certainly fake.
 See if you have bought any product from that mill before – compare the certificates
 Ask your local stockholder if it is valid – they see a lot of certificates and will be able
to compare
 Check with the mill – here you will be able to check the products and heat numbers
directly. Based on these it will be clear whether the certificate is fake or not.
 Check to see whether the certificate is clearly in compliance with EN10168 and
EN10204. It should say that it is compliant with a number of standards and will normally
show how it is. Even if the plate is produced in China or India and according to local
standards it should still be clear exactly what it is that you are buying and how it
complies.