How long is an EN 1090 certificate valid?

An EN 1090 certificate is designed to stay valid for as long as surveillance continues. This differs from an ISO certificate with a fixed term of three years. The certificate remains valid as long as your factory production control (FPC) meets the requirements and the notified body carries out surveillance according to the schedule in the standard. If you let surveillance lapse, you lose validity, even if the end date on the certificate has not yet been reached.

This approach comes from the practice of certification bodies. Kiwa describes the start as an approval of your factory production control, followed by “regular surveillance to assess whether you still meet the requirements”. According to the British accreditation body UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), the minimum frequency of surveillance is set out in table B.3 of EN 1090. UKAS also states that there is no mandatory annual surveillance. For your own intervals, check the conditions of your notified body.

Short answer: the certificate remains valid as long as surveillance follows the schedule and your FPC does not change significantly. The periods on your certificate are your certification body’s planning, not a fixed term.

Why no fixed term?

Many management system certificates run for three years, with annual checks. EN 1090 works differently. The notified body assesses your production control, and the frequency of surveillance depends on the execution class, on your experience and on the changes you make.

This also means that two companies with the same certificate can have different surveillance cycles. The difference lies in the agreements with the body and in the risks of the work.

The surveillance schedule in practice

You can see how the schedule works on the certificate itself. A common pattern, as we have seen on published certificates, is an increasing sequence of 1, 2 and 3 years, followed by 3-year cycles. On the certificates we reviewed, the first surveillance visit takes place roughly nine months to one year after the initial assessment. This is not a fixed rule. Other bodies may schedule it earlier or later.

We deliberately do not quote hard figures from the standard here. The figures above come from certificates issued by different bodies. They show how things work in practice, but your own schedule is on your own certificate. Check the figures there and in table B.3 of the standard.

Moment	What happens	What you must do
Initial assessment	Initial inspection of the factory and the FPC	Have documentation and production available
First surveillance	First check of the FPC in the workshop	Records, welders and WPSs in order
Regular surveillance	Repeated checks according to the schedule	Keep files up to date and report changes
Annual declaration (with some bodies)	Written confirmation that your working method has not changed	Submit the declaration on time, if your body requires it

Some bodies ask for an annual written declaration. This is a condition set by those bodies, so it varies from one body to another. If your body asks for one and you forget it, this can lead to suspension.

When does the certificate lapse?

The certificate lapses in a few situations. The first is a surveillance visit that has not been carried out according to the schedule. The second is a significant change in your factory or FPC that you do not report. The third is a contract with the body that is no longer running.

Suspension is also possible. During a suspension, you may not apply CE marking. This affects your contracts directly, so make sure you do not let surveillance lapse.

A certificate that still looks valid on paper is not always current. Check the status with the notified body before you apply CE marking. This also applies to your suppliers. See the page on checking certificates.

What do you report, and what not?

Not every change needs to be reported, but many do. Examples include a new site, a new welding coordinator, a new process step or a new steel grade. Small changes that you can document yourself usually do not need to be reported immediately. If in doubt, ask your body.

A change to the FPC that the manufacturer wants to make must be agreed in advance. A change made afterwards may mean that you have to revise the existing declaration of performance.

Steps to keep the certificate valid

Read the schedule on your certificate

Note the dates of the next surveillance visit and the annual declaration. Put them in your calendar with a reminder well in advance.

Plan the declaration into your work calendar

If your body requires an annual declaration, submit it before the deadline, not after. At larger companies this is a task for the quality officer.

Keep your FPC up to date

Every change in the workshop, the welders or the WPSs goes into your file. This makes surveillance much less burdensome.

Prepare for surveillance

Make sure the welding coordinator, the welder matrix and the ITPs (inspection and test plans) are ready. The FPC page gives an overview of what the notified body checks.

What does validity cost?

The costs of surveillance are on top of the initial assessment. They appear in your quote from the body and depend on the size of your company and the execution class. The costs page uses a fictional item for the initial inspection. Replace it with the quote from your own body.

Frequently asked questions about validity

Does an EN 1090 certificate expire after three years?

Not automatically. The certificate is designed to remain valid as long as surveillance follows the schedule. If your certificate shows an end date, ask your body what it means.

What if I miss a surveillance visit?

Contact your body immediately. A missed visit is a nonconformity. Do not wait for the next visit, because by then validity may already be at risk.

May I still apply CE marking with a suspended certificate?

No. During a suspension, you may not apply CE marking. Stop CE marking until the certificate has been restored.

Does every site need its own certificate?

It depends on the situation. A new site with its own FPC may require a separate assessment. Discuss this with your body before you put the site into use.