Q:What is the EN 10204 standard for Material Test Certificates (MTCs)?

In any industrial purchase, especially for critical materials like steel pipe, traceability and the verification of quality are paramount. The Mill Test Certificate (MTC)—also known as a Mill Test Report (MTR)—is the primary document that provides this assurance.

A common and important question we receive, particularly from clients involved in European or major international projects, relates to the EN 10204 standard. This standard is the key to understanding the different levels of material certification and what they mean for your project’s quality assurance. Our goal is to clarify what this standard entails and what you can expect from Allland Steel.

What is EN 10204?

EN 10204 is a European Standard that specifies the different types of “inspection documents” that can be provided to a purchaser for metallic products. In short, it creates a standardized, universally understood system for certifying that a product’s chemical and mechanical properties conform to the specifications of the order. It ensures that both manufacturer and buyer are speaking the same language when it comes to quality documentation.

The Key Certificate Types Explained

EN 10204 defines several document types, but in the steel pipe industry, the most relevant are Type 2.2, Type 3.1, and Type 3.2.

Type 2.2: Test Report

This is a document in which the manufacturer declares that the products are in compliance with the order and provides results of non-specific inspection. This means the test results are based on the manufacturer’s regular quality procedures and may not be from the actual batch of material being delivered.

Type 3.1: Inspection Certificate 3.1

This is the most common and widely accepted certificate for industrial applications.

• What it is: A certificate issued and validated by the manufacturer’s authorized inspection representative, who must be independent of the manufacturing department.
• What it contains: It affirms that the products are compliant with the order and, crucially, includes the specific test results from the actual batch of products being supplied.
• Why it matters: From a quality assurance perspective, the Type 3.1 certificate provides the essential, traceable link between the physical product you receive and the specific tests that prove its compliance with the required standards.

Type 3.2: Inspection Certificate 3.2

This is the highest level of certification under EN 10204.

• What it is: A Type 3.1 certificate that has also been countersigned and validated by an independent third-party inspection authority (such as Lloyd’s Register, DNV, TÜV) or the purchaser’s own authorized inspector.
• Why it’s used: This is required for the most critical applications (e.g., nuclear power, certain offshore or pressure vessel components) where project specifications demand an impartial, external validation of the manufacturer’s test results.

What Type of MTC Does Allland Steel Provide?

At Allland Steel, our standard practice for all orders requiring specific material validation is to provide a Type 3.1 Mill Test Certificate in accordance with EN 10204.

This MTC provides full traceability for your order, detailing the specific:

• Chemical composition analysis
• Mechanical properties (Yield Strength, Tensile Strength, Elongation)
• Results of any other required tests, such as impact toughness or hydrostatic tests.

For projects with exceptional quality assurance requirements, we also have extensive experience in facilitating Type 3.2 certification. We can coordinate with the independent third-party inspection agency of your choice to provide this higher level of validation.

We believe that full transparency is the foundation of trust. Our adherence to the EN 10204 standard ensures that you receive clear, reliable, and internationally recognized documentation for the quality of your materials.

If your project has specific certification requirements, please contact the Allland Steel team to discuss them in detail.