EN ISO 9606-1 is the international standard governing qualification testing of welders for fusion welding of steels. Only welders holding this (or an equivalent AWS/ASME) certificate may work on fabrication under EN 1090, EN ISO 3834, EN 15085 and PED.
What does the certificate cover?
The certificate documents that the welder can weld within a defined range. The essential variables are:
- Welding process: 111 (SMAW), 135 (MAG), 136 (FCAW), 141 (TIG), 121 (SAW) etc.
- Product type: Plate (P) or pipe (T)
- Type of weld: Butt weld (BW) or fillet weld (FW)
- Material group: According to ISO/TR 15608 (e.g. group 1.1, 1.2, 8)
- Filler material type and shielding gas
- Thickness and outside diameter
- Welding position: PA, PB, PC, PF, PG, PH, H-L045 etc.
- Weld details: Single/double side, with/without backing
The test piece is chosen to represent the most demanding conditions used in production, so that a wide range is covered with a single test.
The examination process
- The range is defined and a WPS or pWPS is prepared.
- The test is performed under the supervision of an examiner; the welder follows the position and parameters.
- Visual testing (EN ISO 17637) is carried out; acceptance level EN ISO 5817 B (C for some imperfections).
- Additional tests: bend or fracture test, macro examination; RT/UT where required.
- The certificate is issued by an accredited certification body.
Validity and revalidation
The certificate remains valid provided the welder does not interrupt welding for more than 6 months and the certificate is confirmed every 6 months by the employer/welding coordinator. There are three revalidation options:
- 9.3 a): Re-testing every 3 years.
- 9.3 b): Every 2 years, verification of two production welds from the last 6 months by RT/UT or destructive testing.
- 9.3 c): Indefinite validity if the manufacturer operates an EN ISO 3834-2 or -3 quality system and documents that the welder works continuously within the same range.
Common mistakes
- Test range not covering the diameter/thickness range used in production
- Certificates becoming invalid because 6-monthly confirmations were not made
- Overlooking that changes in filler material type (e.g. rutile → basic electrode) affect the range
Zen Teknik organises welder examinations at your premises, optimises the range and supports you in managing your certificate matrix.