EN 1090 is the standard that governs how fabricated structural steelwork is certified. A fabricator working to it must hold a certified Factory Production Control system, work to a defined Execution Class, and issue a Declaration of Performance with the conformity mark. If you are buying structural steel, those are the three things to ask for.
There is a lot of out of date information about marking on the internet at the moment, so it is worth setting out where things actually stand.
What EN 1090 requires
BS EN 1090-1 covers conformity assessment of structural components: how a fabricator demonstrates that what it has made performs as declared. It is the designated standard for fabricated structural steelwork in the UK.
In practice it means a fabricator cannot simply weld steel and send it out. It must operate a documented system, have that system audited by an approved body, and declare the performance of what it supplies.
Factory Production Control, in plain terms
Factory Production Control, usually shortened to FPC, is the quality system behind the mark. It is assessed under what the standard calls AVCP System 2+, which means:
- initial type testing of the products;
- documented production control procedures;
- a qualified Responsible Welding Coordinator, required at Execution Class 2 and above;
- continuing surveillance by the approved body, including annual audits.
The certificate a fabricator holds will state the Execution Class it has been assessed to. That is the detail worth checking, because a certificate alone does not tell you whether the fabricator is approved for the class your project needs.
Execution Classes, and which one applies
Execution Classes are defined in EN 1090-2 and rise with the consequence of failure.
| Class | Typical application |
|---|---|
| EXC1 | Lowest risk, for example agricultural buildings |
| EXC2 | The default for most UK buildings, residential and commercial |
| EXC3 | Higher consequence structures such as bridges |
| EXC4 | Critical structures such as long span bridges |
EXC2 covers the majority of buildings constructed in the UK. The class drives welder and procedure qualification, how much non destructive testing is required, and the traceability and documentation you should receive.
CE or UKCA in 2026? The current position
This is where most published guidance is wrong, including some fabricator websites and well known industry references. They still say CE marking stopped being valid in Great Britain on 30 June 2025. That is not correct.
What actually happened:
- In September 2024 the government announced that recognition of CE marking for construction products would be extended indefinitely, following a review that found UK testing capacity was not adequate to absorb the switch.
- That extension was put on a legislative footing by the Construction Products (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which came into force on 8 January 2026.
- UKCA marking remains fully valid as an alternative. Neither mark has been withdrawn.
- Government has said any future change to CE recognition will carry a minimum two year transition period.
So for a project specified today, structural steel may carry either mark. If a supplier tells you CE marked product can no longer be used in Great Britain, they are working from superseded guidance.
What to actually ask a fabricator for
Four documents settle almost every question:
- The FPC certificate, and the Execution Class it covers.
- The Declaration of Performance for the components supplied.
- Welding qualifications: the welding coordinator’s credentials and the relevant procedure qualifications.
- Traceability records appropriate to the Execution Class.
If a fabricator cannot produce the first two quickly, that tells you something.
Our own certification, so you can check it
It would be poor form to tell you to demand paperwork without showing ours.
Mr Gates Fabrication Specialists Limited, trading as MG Group, holds Factory Production Control certificate 2273-CPR-4271, issued by the Steel Construction Certification Scheme, Approved Body number 2273, against BS EN 1090-1:2009+A1:2011. It covers load bearing and welded structural steel components up to EXC2 in accordance with BS EN 1090-2:2018+A1:2024, produced at our works at Valley House, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted. It was first issued in August 2024 and is valid to 21 August 2027.
Certificate validity can be confirmed independently through the Steel Construction Certification Scheme. That is the standard we think every fabricator should be held to, including us.
A note on balustrades and handrails
A common question is whether balustrades and handrails fall under EN 1090. The widely held position in the trade is that components which do not structurally support the building sit outside the scope of EN 1090-1, on the basis that the standard covers products with a structural function for the works.
It is worth being honest that this is an industry interpretation rather than settled law, and practice varies: some fabricators do market EN 1090 certification for balustrades. If it matters to your project, confirm the position with your certification body rather than relying on a supplier’s claim either way. A fabricator can of course apply EN 1090 disciplines voluntarily without marking the product under it.
We fabricate architectural metalwork and structural steel in house, from drawing through to installation, for main contractors and developers across London and Hertfordshire.
Frequently asked questions
Is CE marking still accepted in the UK?
Yes. For construction products, CE marking is recognised in Great Britain indefinitely, confirmed by the September 2024 announcement and given legal effect by regulations in force from 8 January 2026. UKCA remains valid too.
What Execution Class do I need?
EXC2 is appropriate for the majority of UK buildings. Higher classes apply to bridges and structures where failure would carry greater consequence. Your structural engineer specifies it.
Does a fabricator need EN 1090 for every job?
It applies to structural components placed on the market. Whether a specific item falls in scope depends on whether it performs a structural function, which is exactly why the balustrade question above comes up so often.
Written by Daryl Griffiths, Managing Director, MG Group. Sources: GOV.UK guidance on the Construction Products Regulation in Great Britain, the Construction Products (Amendment) Regulations 2025, and the GOV.UK designated standards list for construction products. Certificate details from our current SCCS FPC certificate. Checked August 2026. General guidance only; confirm specifics with your certification body.
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