EN 10204 material certificate — 2.2 vs 3.1

EN 10204 is the European standard that classifies inspection documents for metallic products. Several types exist (2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2), but in practice for CUPAL copper-aluminium bimetal shipments the real choice is between 2.2 and 3.1. This article summarises the difference and the selection criteria.

EN 10204 document types at a glance

• 2.1 — Declaration of compliance with the order: the manufacturer's statement that the product conforms to the order; no test data. (We do not use this type for CUPAL shipments.)
• 2.2 — Test report: the manufacturer's statement plus non-lot-specific generic test results. The tests are not necessarily run on the actual shipment but routinely on the material. Ships with every CUPAL shipment by default.
• 3.1 — Inspection certificate: issued by the manufacturer with measurement data tied to the specific shipment / lot, signed by an authorised manufacturer's representative independent of production. Available on request, project-scoped.
• 3.2 — Inspection certificate validated by both parties (manufacturer + independent inspector). Mandatory only in special cases (e.g. pressure equipment).

When to ask for which?

Type 2.2 is sufficient when:

• the CUPAL transition is going into general industrial equipment per IEC 61439 / IEC 61238 / EN 62305,
• the buyer's contract does not require a lot-specific certificate,
• the installer is not working in an audited management system,
• the project-scope material delivery is not subject to a specific acceptance inspection.

Ask for 3.1 when:

• a public procurement or state contract requires it,
• project acceptance or audit demands a lot-level material certificate,
• the equipment operates in a high-impact environment (hospital, data centre, transformer substation) where long-term contact behaviour must be evidenced,
• the CUPAL component falls under a standard-driven requirement (e.g. IEC 61400-24 wind-turbine lightning protection, IEC 62305 higher LPL levels) and component-level provability is critical.

What is on an EN 10204 certificate?

• The relevant Werkstoff-Nr. (material numbers): Al 3.0255 (DIN 17007) and Cu 2.0065 (DIN 1787).
• The CUPAL manufacturing process designation (cold-roll-bonded + diffusion-welded).
• The shipment identifier (charge / lot).
• For 3.1: measured material parameters tied to the lot.

How to request one

In your quote request, state that you require type 3.1, and if possible include the reference project / contract number — that lets the manufacturer issue the matching lot certificate. Type 2.2 ships by default, no separate request needed.

Related articles

• CUPAL ISO 9001:2015 compliance (WMH supplier chain)
• CUPAL material and application-area standards (DIN, IEC, MSZ EN)
• Standards and compliance (product page)

For a project-specific 3.1 certificate request, contact us.