Material certificate according to EN 10204

A material certificate provides documented confirmation that a supplied material actually meets the properties specified in the order. The available types of documentation are defined by the European standard EN 10204, “Metallic products – Types of inspection documents”, adopted in Germany as DIN EN 10204. The current 2004 edition distinguishes between four types: declaration of compliance with the order 2.1, test report 2.2, and inspection certificates 3.1 and 3.2. The evidential value of each document depends on whether it is based on non-specific or specific inspection—that is, whether the test results can be attributed to the product actually supplied—and on who validates the document. The standard applies to metallic products but may also be used for non-metallic products. In the context of sampling bulk solids, the material certificate verifies the material selected for all product-contact components.

The four types of inspection document

The standard distinguishes between inspection documents according to the type of inspection on which they are based and the party that validates them:

• Declaration of compliance with the order 2.1: The manufacturer confirms compliance with the order without providing test results.
• Test report 2.2: The manufacturer confirms compliance and provides results from non-specific inspection, such as ongoing production control. These results do not necessarily relate to the specific batch supplied.
• Inspection certificate 3.1: Provides results from specific inspection of the product actually supplied. It is validated by the manufacturer’s authorised inspection representative, who is independent of the production department.
• Inspection certificate 3.2: As for 3.1, with additional validation by the purchaser’s authorised inspection representative or an inspector designated in official regulations, such as TÜV or a classification society.

A certificate typically includes the material designation and material number, heat or batch number, chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat-treatment condition and a reference to the order.

The 2004 edition streamlined the classification used in the previous standard: the specific test report 2.3 was removed; the current inspection certificate 3.1 corresponds to the former 3.1.B, while 3.1.A and 3.1.C were incorporated into certificate 3.2. The term “expert” was replaced by “authorised inspection representative”. Distributors may only pass on inspection documents as originals or unaltered copies; only the stated quantities may be adjusted.

Use in bulk solids sampling

Material selection directly affects quality in sampling applications: a corroding component alters the sample and therefore the analytical result. The material certificate verifies that the selected material—such as Hastelloy or a stainless steel such as 1.4404 or 1.4571—was actually supplied and tested, while also ensuring batch traceability. Documentation is required for all product-contact components:

• product-contact components of the sampler, such as probes, screws, pistons, nozzles, sample chambers and valve components
• product-contact measuring equipment
• accessories such as bottle adapters, bag holders and transfer tubes

Accessories in particular are frequently overlooked in tenders and qualification processes, even though they come into contact with the product just as the sampler itself does. To ensure end-to-end quality assurance, they must be included in the same documentation chain. At REMBE® Kersting, inspection certificate 3.1 is the standard for customers requiring documented verification—for samplers, measuring equipment and accessories alike.

Relevant industries

Documentation requirements vary significantly between industries. They are particularly stringent in the pharmaceutical and fine chemicals industries, where material documentation forms part of equipment qualification, as well as in the chemical industry and chemical process engineering, especially where pressure equipment regulations apply. In the food industry, the focus is on the traceability of product-contact parts, while agriculture and fertiliser production require resistance to aggressive media. In sectors such as mining and quarrying or transport and logistics, series 2 documents are often sufficient.

Legal requirements and directives

EN 10204 does not prescribe a specific type of inspection document. It only defines the available types; the applicable document must be expressly agreed in the purchase order and order confirmation. The requirement arises from the relevant applicable regulations. For pressure equipment, Directive 2014/68/EU is applicable, with EN 10204 serving as a harmonised standard; for certificates 3.1 and 3.2, the material manufacturer must have a certified quality assurance system. DIN EN 10168 specifies the information to be included in inspection documents for steel products. In environments subject to ATEX, the applicable ATEX requirements must also be observed. For food- and product-contact applications, declarations of conformity pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 are also required. These are not covered by EN 10204 and must be provided separately. The applicable standards and directives vary depending on the industry, country and type of bulk solid.