The Certificate of Analysis and Control

An equally fundamental aspect to the production processes of special steels is the provision of a complete and exhaustive certificate of analysis and inspection. This document accompanies the steel supply and guarantees compliance with the required specifications.

The UNI EN 10204 “Types of inspection documents” standard defines the different types of analysis and inspection certificates that can be provided to the client. These inspection documents certify compliance with the specifications requested in the order, ensuring the quality and traceability of all products.

Control documents based on non-specific control:

1. Certification of Specific Product Testing (Type 3.1)

   This document certifies that the products are compliant with the order’s requirements and provides test results from specific inspections. These tests are carried out on the actual products being supplied, and the document is validated by the manufacturer’s authorized representative.

2. Inspection Certificate (Type 3.2)

   This certificate is issued by a third-party inspector (either external or internal to the manufacturer but independent of the manufacturing department) who verifies that the products meet the order’s specifications. The document includes specific test results and is co-validated by both the manufacturer’s authorized representative and the independent inspector

Control documents based on specific control:

1. Declaration of Conformity with the Order (Type 3.1)
   This document is issued by the manufacturer, declaring that the products supplied conform to the order requirements and providing specific test results. The test units and tests performed are defined by the product specification or the order itself.

2. Declaration of Conformity with the Order (Type 3.2)
   This document is issued jointly by the manufacturer’s authorized inspection representative (who is independent of the manufacturing department) and the client’s authorized inspection representative or an inspector designated by official regulations. In this document, they declare that the supplied products conform to the order requirements, and the test results are provided

The 3.1 Declaration is essential because it guarantees that controls are performed on the products actually supplied, unlike 2.1 and 2.2 documents, which are based on general controls and not necessarily on the products delivered. A Type 3.1 analysis and inspection certificate provides a detailed description of the controls performed and the results obtained. In the die-casting sector, it includes information such as:

• Chemical composition: detailed breakdown of the elements present in the material.
• Mechanical properties: results of hardness and impact tests.
• Production processes: details on heat treatments or other processing performed.
• Traceability: reference to the cast number and production lot.

Below is an example of an analysis and inspection certificate with notes explaining each section of the document.

The 3.1 Declaration is essential because it guarantees that controls are performed on the products actually supplied, unlike 2.1 and 2.2 documents, which are based on general controls and not necessarily on the products delivered. The 3.1 certificate provides a detailed description of the controls performed and the results obtained. In the die-casting sector, it usually includes information such as: