EN 10204 Type 3.1 certificate: MTC 3.1 vs 3.2

What EN 10204 Type 3.1 means

An EN 10204 Type 3.1 inspection certificate reports results from specific inspection for the supplied products and is validated by the manufacturer’s authorized inspection representative independent of the manufacturing department. Buyers often call it an MTC 3.1, mill test certificate 3.1 or material certificate 3.1.

What should appear on an MTC 3.1

A useful certificate should identify the manufacturer, purchaser or order reference where applicable, product and quantity, governing material standard and grade, heat or cast identity, delivery condition, chemical composition, required mechanical and supplementary test results, and the authorized validation. The exact fields depend on the product standard and purchase specification.

Download an annotated MTC specimen

Use the 12MILL EN 10204 Type 3.1 sample certificate to review the normal document structure. It is deliberately marked SAMPLE / NOT VALID FOR RELEASE: an authentic certificate can only be issued by the approved manufacturer for the actual order, product, heat or test unit and recorded results.

Traceability is the real control point

The certificate is only useful when heat, batch or piece identity can be reconciled with product markings, packing lists, inspection records and the final document index. Ask how identity will be transferred after cutting, coating, fabrication or bundling.

How Type 3.2 changes the route

Type 3.2 involves validation by both the manufacturer’s authorized inspection representative and either the purchaser’s authorized inspection representative or an inspector designated by official regulations, according to the agreed route. It is not simply a more detailed PDF; it changes inspection participation and release planning.

MTC 3.1 is not the same as third-party inspection

A Type 3.1 certificate can exist without an independent third-party inspector. Third-party inspection, witness points and document review are separate requirements that should be described in the inspection and test plan. Type 3.2 may involve an external party, but the precise validating roles must be agreed.

Set the requirement before manufacturing

Do not wait until shipment to ask for Type 3.2 or additional witnessed testing. Inspection attendance, sample selection, laboratories, hold points and signatures may need to be arranged before production. A retrospective certificate upgrade may be impossible.

Buyer checklist — before the purchase order

☐ Certificate type stated against every applicable line item.
☐ Product standard, grade and edition identified.
☐ Test unit, mandatory tests and supplementary tests defined.
☐ Type 3.2 validating parties named when required.
☐ Third-party inspection, hold points and witness points stated separately.
☐ Heat, item and bundle marking route agreed.
☐ Language, electronic format and document-book structure agreed.
☐ Draft-document review and final release timing included in the schedule.

Write the certificate requirement into the RFQ

State EN 10204 and the required certificate type against every applicable line item. Identify the current product standard and edition, project specification, required test results, language, electronic format, inspecting parties, ITP points, traceability method and final manufacturing record book structure. See the steel pipe RFQ checklist for the rest of the purchase description.

Specify the pipe and certificate in one RFQ

An MTC requirement is one part of the pipe purchase description. Include the product standard and grade, outside diameter, wall thickness, lengths, quantity, service, coating or lining, required inspection certificate and destination. This lets the proposed mill assess the actual order and testing route together.

• Large-diameter welded steel pipe supply
• HSAW / SSAW spiral welded pipe
• LSAW steel pipe

Buyer checklist — before shipment release

☐ Manufacturer and issuing works match the approved source.
☐ Purchase order, item and quantity references reconcile.
☐ Product description, dimensions, grade and delivery condition are correct.
☐ Heat or cast numbers match physical marking and packing list.
☐ Chemical, mechanical and supplementary results are complete and within limits.
☐ Test methods, units and sampling references are identifiable.
☐ Authorized names, roles and validations are present.
☐ Corrections are controlled and the approved certificate set is linked to the release note.

Review before release

Confirm certificate numbers, product description, dimensions, grade, heat identity, test values, acceptance limits and signatures against the purchase order and packing list. Resolve discrepancies before shipment and connect the approved certificate set to the release note. Twelve Mill can coordinate this workflow through quality and inspection planning.