If you have seen welder certificates, you may have come across two references: EN 287-1 and EN ISO 9606-1. A common question is which one applies. In short: for steel, EN 287-1 was replaced by EN ISO 9606-1. Here is what that means in practice.
From EN 287-1 to EN ISO 9606-1
EN 287-1 was the European standard for testing steel welders. In 2013 it was replaced for steel by the international standard EN ISO 9606-1. The new edition aligned the requirements internationally, but the principle stayed the same: it tests the practical competence of the individual welder.
What it means for existing certificates
Certificates issued to EN 287-1 remain a document of their time, while new certificates for steel are issued to EN ISO 9606-1. When choosing a contractor, it is worth checking which standard the certificates were issued to and — most importantly — whether they are still valid.
What stays the same
Whatever the standard reference, a certificate always states the range of validity: the process (111, 135/136, 141, SAW), the product type, the thickness, the position and the material. It is this range that must match your welds.
What to check with a contractor
Ask for the welders' certificates, check the standard (for steel, EN ISO 9606-1), the range of validity and the validity date.
At Save Consulting we provide welders with valid EN ISO 9606-1 certificates for processes 111, 135/136, 141 and SAW.