Steel Structures for Europe
Structural steel components for European projects designed to the Eurocodes with National Annexes, and executed to EN 1090 with the execution class and CE (or UKCA) marking defined.
European Union
Regno Unito
Market Overview
In the European Economic Area, structural steel is designed to the Eurocodes: EN 1990 for the basis of design, EN 1991 for actions and EN 1993 for steel structures, each applied with the National Annex of the country where the structure is built. Execution of steelwork is governed by EN 1090-2, and the execution class (EXC1 to EXC4) selected by the designer sets the requirements for welding, inspection and documentation.
Fabricated structural components placed on the market fall under the Construction Products Regulation, which links EN 1090-1 to CE marking and a Declaration of Performance.
Codes, Approvals & Regulatory Context
CE marking of structural steel components to EN 1090-1 requires a factory production control system certified by a notified body, and welding quality management aligned with EN ISO 3834 to the level demanded by the execution class. In Great Britain, UKCA marking applies under the UK's own regime. National Annexes and local regulations differ, so country-specific parameters must be confirmed per project.
Engineering for this Market
Design calculations and drawings are metric and usually reviewed by a checking engineer. The execution specification must state the execution class, tolerance class, preparation grades and any additional testing, because these drive fabrication cost and inspection scope.
Fabrication Considerations
Materials are typically ordered to EN 10025 (for example S355 grades) for sections and plates, and EN 10210 or EN 10219 for hollow sections, with inspection documents to EN 10204 (commonly type 3.1). Welding procedures are qualified to EN ISO 15614 and welders to EN ISO 9606-1.
Quality Requirements
- Execution class (EXC1–EXC4) per EN 1090-2 stated in the execution specification
- Factory production control certified for CE marking under EN 1090-1
- Welding quality requirements per EN ISO 3834 matched to the execution class
- Inspection documents to EN 10204 for all structural materials
Coating Requirements
- Coating system specification per EN ISO 12944 parts 2, 4 and 5
- Surface preparation grades per EN ISO 8501-1 and edge preparation grades per EN ISO 8501-3
- Hot-dip galvanizing to EN ISO 1461
Certifications Typically Requested by Clients
- EN 1090-1 factory production control certificate and CE marking (UKCA in Great Britain)
- EN ISO 3834 welding quality certification at the required level
- Responsible welding coordinator per EN ISO 14731
Export & Logistics
Shipments generally arrive at Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg or Mediterranean ports and continue by road, rail or inland waterway. Delivery planning must respect national transport permit rules and site access restrictions in dense urban areas.
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