The CE mark on the box is not enough on its own. The document the inspector wants is a different one.
One of the more irritating moments in steel erection is the inspector asking for bolt documentation while all you have is a delivery note. The material is on site, erection is under way, and work stops.
Yet the document being asked for is something you could have obtained from the supplier in the first place.
Which standard, which document
In structural steelwork, fasteners fall into two groups, each with its own product standard:
| Non-preloaded connections (SB) | EN 15048 — normal tightening, slip not critical |
|---|---|
| Preloaded connections (HR / HV) | EN 14399 — controlled preload, friction-grip connection |
| The fabrication itself | EN 1090-2 — execution of steel structures |
The CE mark indicates that the product's performance has been declared against one of these standards. But behind the mark there is a document, and that is what the inspector wants: the Declaration of Performance, or DoP.
What a DoP is and what it contains
The DoP is the manufacturer's written declaration under the Construction Products Regulation. It states the product type, intended use, the harmonised standard applied, the notified body number and the declared performance values.
It is numbered and can be traced to the product batch. “The box says CE” does not substitute for a DoP.
A material certificate is a different thing
A DoP declares performance; a material certificate gives the chemical and mechanical test results for the batch. Under EN 10204, a 3.1 certificate is issued by the manufacturer's own independent department, while 3.2 additionally carries third-party verification.
Defence and aerospace projects usually call for 3.2. In structural steel 3.1 is generally sufficient — but read the specification and confirm.
What belongs in the file
- Declaration of Performance (DoP), with a number matching the product batch
- Material certificate (EN 10204 3.1, or whatever the specification requires)
- Batch / lot number and its link to the delivery note
- For preloaded assemblies: evidence that bolt, nut and washer came from the same manufacturer as a matched set
- Torque or turn-of-nut records where a tightening procedure applies
One mistake worth avoiding
In preloaded HV assemblies, the bolt, nut and washer are tested and certified together. Completing a set with a nut from another batch or a washer from another manufacturer invalidates it.
When a nut goes missing on site, the easy fix is to take a similar one from stores. At inspection the price of that can be dismantling and replacing the whole connection. If the set is incomplete, order the complete set.