Key takeaways
- EN ISO 9606-1 governs welder testing, while ISO 3834 defines quality requirements for fusion welding.
- Most CE-marked structural steel work requires workshops to comply with comprehensive ISO 3834-2 requirements.
- Employers must confirm a welder's EN ISO 9606-1 qualification every six months to maintain its validity.
- Fully mechanized and automated welding operators must be qualified under EN ISO 14732.
- Offshore welding in Denmark requires recognition from the Danish Working Environment Authority.
Understanding EN ISO 9606-1 and ISO 3834
EN ISO 9606-1 specifies the requirements for the qualification testing of welders for fusion welding of steels. ISO 3834 defines the quality requirements framework for the fusion welding of metallic materials.
Quality Levels and Structural Requirements
ISO 3834 defines three distinct quality levels for the fusion welding of metallic materials. These levels are ISO 3834-2 for comprehensive quality requirements, ISO 3834-3 for standard quality requirements, and ISO 3834-4 for elementary quality requirements.
For structural steel fabrication, compliance requirements are strict. The EN 1090-2 standard mandates factory production control and explicitly references ISO 3834. Consequently, most CE-marked structural steel work requires your workshop to comply with the comprehensive requirements of ISO 3834-2.
Managing Welder Qualification Validity
Welder qualifications under EN ISO 9606-1 are valid for two or three years, depending on the chosen revalidation method. To maintain this certificate validity, an approved supervisor or employer must confirm the qualification every six months. This signature verifies that the welder has continued to work within their qualified range.
Employers can choose between three main revalidation methods under the standard. These options include retesting the welder every three years, revalidating every two years with volumetric testing evidence on production welds, or maintaining ongoing validity if the welder remains with the same manufacturer certified to ISO 3834-2. However, revalidation based on ISO 3834-2 certification is not permitted for pressure equipment under categories II, III, and IV of the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED).
Specialized Roles and Regional Rules
For fully mechanized and automated welding, operator qualification is governed by EN ISO 14732 instead of the EN ISO 9606 series. Employers must verify that operators of automated systems hold this specific qualification before work begins. This step ensures compliance when deploying welding personnel to cross-border industrial projects.
Nordic regions apply distinct local rules for welder certification and offshore operations. In Denmark, performing offshore welding work requires a recognition issued by the Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet). Additionally, regional bodies like DEKRA in Sweden (accredited by SWEDAC) and Weldadvice CERT in Denmark (accredited by DANAK) issue welder certifications under ISO/IEC 17024.
