Key takeaways
- Norway and Sweden strictly enforce EN ISO 9606-1 standards for manual fusion welding of steels.
- The fundamental backbone of EN ISO 9606-1 validity is the six-monthly confirmation.
- Route 9.3 a) requires a full practical retest every three years.
- Route 9.3 b) allows a two-year extension if two welds are tested in the final six months.
- Route 9.3 c) permits continuous validity for employers certified under ISO 3834-2 or ISO 3834-3.
EN ISO 9606-1 enforcement
Norway and Sweden strictly enforce EN ISO 9606-1 standards for manual fusion welding of steels on industrial, construction, and infrastructure projects.
The fundamental backbone of EN ISO 9606-1 validity is the six-monthly confirmation.
Three routes for certificate revalidation
Under EN ISO 9606-1 Clause 9.3, there are three distinct routes for certificate revalidation. Route 9.3 a) requires the welder to undergo a full practical retest supervised by an examiner or examining body every three years.
Route 9.3 b) allows for a two-year extension of the certificate without a full practical retest. The employer must document that the welder has produced welds of acceptable quality. Two welds must be tested within the last six months of the certificate's validity period.
Route 9.3 c) allows for continuous validity without a fixed expiration date. This requires the employer to have a certified quality system according to ISO 3834-2 or ISO 3834-3.
Nordic certification bodies and tracking tools
In Sweden, accredited certification bodies such as DEKRA Industrial AB supervise initial tests and approve two-year extensions. Companies can use DEKRA's digital web tool "welDBase" to track certification validity dates and prevent lapses.
In Norway, accredited certification bodies like Kiwa AS handle personal welder certification and revalidation.
In Denmark, FORCE Certification A/S and Weldadvice CERT manage welder examinations, online registration, and biannual confirmations. FORCE Certification registers digital certificates in an online database called "WeldCert Online". This system sends automatic reminders for biannual confirmations and extensions.
Sources & further reading
- 01Standard Norge vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com
- 02DEKRA Sweden vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com
- 03NECIT Services
