EN 10204 and ISO 16228: which inspection document to ask for with fasteners

EN 10204 defines four inspection documents: 2.1 and 2.2 from the manufacturer, 3.1 validated by an inspection representative independent of manufacturing, and 3.2 also validated by the purchaser's or an official inspector. ISO 16228 is the fastener-specific alternative (F2.1 to F3.2). Agree the type when you order.

By Prashant Dwivedi, Managing Partner, Transworld Commercial Enterprises · Published 11 Nov 2026 · Updated 11 Nov 2026

An inspection document is only useful if it is the one your specification asks for. The type has to be settled when the order is placed: a document reporting specific inspection describes tests made before delivery, and it cannot be produced for goods that have already shipped.

The four EN 10204 documents

  • Type 2.1, declaration of compliance with the order. Issued by the manufacturer, without test results.
  • Type 2.2, test report. Issued by the manufacturer, with results of non-specific inspection.
  • Type 3.1, inspection certificate. Results of specific inspection on the delivered products, validated by the manufacturer's authorised inspection representative, independent of the manufacturing department.
  • Type 3.2, inspection certificate. As 3.1, validated by that representative and by either the purchaser's authorised inspection representative or the inspector named in the official regulations.

ISO 16228: the fastener version

ISO 16228:2017 was developed specifically for fasteners, as a preferred alternative to ISO 10474 or EN 10204. It defines a declaration of compliance (F2.1) and test reports (F2.2, F3.1 and F3.2), and it has been adopted in Europe as EN ISO 16228. Clause 5.1 is explicit: the type of inspection document shall be agreed at the time of the order.

"Upgrading" after delivery

EN 10204 defines specific inspection as inspection carried out before delivery. Steel producers treat after-the-fact "upgrading" of a delivery to a 3.1 as conflicting with the standard, and stockholders say the same. If your project needs a 3.1, put it on the purchase order.

What a trader passes on

Under EN 10204, an intermediary may only pass on an original or a copy of the manufacturer's inspection documents, without alteration. As a trading and sourcing firm, that is what we do: the document you receive is the partner manufacturer's, and we confirm at quotation which type it can issue.

Which one to ask for

  1. General supply with no contract requirement: a 2.2 test report is usually enough.
  2. Your specification asks for test results on the delivered lot: ask for 3.1 (or F3.1 under ISO 16228).
  3. A third party must witness or validate the tests: ask for 3.2, and name the inspector or agency in the order.

Sources

  1. EN 10204:2004 Metallic products — Types of inspection documents (preview), SIST / iTeh Standards (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
  2. ISO 16228:2017 Fasteners — Types of inspection documents, ISO (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
  3. ISO 16228:2017 (sample pages), iTeh Standards (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
  4. ISO 16228:2017 (preview), ANSI Webstore (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
  5. Retrospective confirmation of product properties, Dillinger (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
  6. Inspection documents to EN 10204, Dillinger (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
  7. Certificates to EN 10204, Zickwolff (accessed 11 Nov 2026)

Questions buyers ask.

What is the difference between EN 10204 3.1 and 3.2?

Both report specific inspection on the delivered products. A 3.1 is validated by the manufacturer's authorised inspection representative, independent of manufacturing. A 3.2 is also validated by the purchaser's representative or an inspector named in official regulations.

Can a 3.1 certificate be issued after delivery?

It should not be. EN 10204 defines specific inspection as carried out before delivery, and producers treat after-the-fact upgrading as conflicting with the standard. Agree the document type on the purchase order.

What is ISO 16228?

The fastener-specific standard for inspection documents, published in 2017 and adopted as EN ISO 16228. It defines F2.1, F2.2, F3.1 and F3.2 and requires the type to be agreed at the time of the order.

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