The EN 10204 certificate types for pressurised parts is an essential safety requirements of PED to ensure that the material used conforms with the required specification. The standard is not limited to metallic products e.g. plates, bars, forging, casts), but can also be applied to non-metallic products. With the test certificates, the manufacturer confirms the fulfilment of contractual delivery agreements. It is important to note that the EN 10204 standard is to be applied together with the specifications for a specific product, in which the so-called ‘technical delivery conditions’ are defined. The standard therefore contains no information on the content of test certificates.

An essential content of all certificates is that a statement is included: ‘In compliance with the order,’

Types of inspection documents

The different inspection documents are categorised according to the type of tests carried out, i.e. either ‘Test certificate based on specific tests’ (acceptance test certificate 3.1 or acceptance test certificate 3.2) and ‘Test certificate for non-specific tests (Certificate of Compliance 2.1 or Test Report 2.2). In the case of specific testing, the tests must be carried out on the actual delivery. It does not matter whether a 100% inspection, a batch inspection or a random sample inspection was carried out. The scope of testing is determined by the respective delivery agreement or the agreed technical specifications.

Table: Types of inspection documents

Certificate Type	Description	Document content	Details
2.1	Certificate of Compliance	Statement of compliance with the order	Manufacturer confirms that the delivered product complies with the agreements, without specifying test results
2.2	Test Report	Statement of compliance with the order, with identification of results of non-specific results	Manufacturer confirms test results based on non-specific tests
3.1	Inspection Certificate	Statement of compliance with the order, with identification of results of specific results	The manufacturer’s authorised inspection representative, who is independent of the production department, confirms the test results on the basis of specific tests
3.2	Inspection Certificate	Statement of compliance with the order, with identification of results of specific results	The manufacturer’s authorised inspection representative, who is independent of the production department, and the purchaser’s authorised acceptance inspector (third party) appointed by the customer or named in official acceptance regulations shall confirm the test results on the basis of specific tests

The affiliation of the test certificate (verification) to the product is ensured in accordance with the agreement and/or technical delivery condition via the intended labelling of the product (batch no., sample no., test no., etc.) and the corresponding labelling information in the test certificate.

What does specific testing mean?

Specific testing means that the tests have been carried out on the actual delivery, which can refer to the heat no., heat treatment batch no. or test lot no., depending on the product specification.
This includes traceability, e.g. via markings or other recording systems.

Manufacturer and manufacturer’s authorised inspection representative

For all four types, the manufacturer must issue the required test certificate and confirm that the product complies with the requirements (order, specification, etc.). The manufacturer is to be regarded as the legal person who assumes full responsibility for the product. The manufacturer’s inspection representative, who must be independent of the production department, acts on behalf of the manufacturer and confirms the test results with his signature without having to have carried out the tests himself. It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to commission suitable test laboratories for all or part of the planned tests and to use these results as the basis for his test certificate.

The role of the dealer

In the case of delivery by the dealer, the dealer must enclose the manufacturer’s certificate unchanged with the delivery. If the original manufacturer’s labelling is omitted, he must ensure that identification is ensured and traceability is guaranteed by means of appropriate re-stamping and re-stamping certificates (with reference to the test certificate). If the dealer modifies the material by forming and/or heat treatment, he assumes the function of a manufacturer and may therefore have to issue his own test certificate and enclose the original certificate of the ‘original manufacturer’. Under no circumstances may the dealer manipulate the original manufacturer’s test certificates in any way, such as removing or changing the address of the manufacturer or upstream supplier.

Application examples for PED pressure equipment parts

Examples of required test certificates within the scope of the Pressure Equipment Directive:

1. Main pressure bearing parts (shells, heads, main flanges, tube plates for heat exchangers, etc.) for category II, III and IV pressure equipment
   • If the material manufacturer has a certified QA system: Inspection certificate 3.1 EN 10204
   • If the material manufacturer does not have a certified QA system: Inspection certificate 3.2 EN 10024
2. Main pressure bearing parts (shells, heads, main flanges, tube plates for heat exchangers, etc.) for category I pressure equipment: Test Report 2.2 EN 10204
3. Attachments for category II, III and IV pressure equipment: Test Report 2.2 EN 10204
4. Other pressure parts of category I, II, III and IV equipment: Test Report 2.2 EN 10204
5. Other parts: Certificate of compliance 2.1 EN 10204
6. An inspection document of a higher level is always acceptable.

Overview (see also PED Guideline G-05):

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