Certifications play a central role in the purchase of steel. They ensure that products meet the specified standards in terms of quality, safety and reliability. For buyers, this means greater certainty when it comes to material quality. But which certifications are particularly relevant?
In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the most important certifications in the steel industry, explain their significance and use practical examples and future developments to show why they are so crucial.
Important basic certifications
ISO 9001 and EN 9100 - Quality management
ISO 9001 is the globally recognized standard for quality management systems. It is considered indispensable for companies that want to manufacture high-quality products. This certification proves that the company works in a structured manner, minimizes risks and continuously improves product quality.
EN 9100 is based on ISO 9001 and is specifically tailored to the aerospace industry. It certifies that a company meets the particularly high requirements of this safety-critical industry, which in particular helps to build customer confidence.
ISO 14001 - Environmental management
ISO 14001 certification shows that a company takes its responsibility towards the environment seriously. It ensures that the company reduces its environmental impact and integrates environmental aspects into its business processes.
At a time when sustainability and environmental protection are becoming increasingly important, this certification is a competitive advantage as it shows that a company is proactively improving its environmental performance and complying with strict regulations.
Certifications in specific industries
Marine
In the shipping industry, certifications from classification societies such as Lloyd's Register, DNV, Bureau Veritas and American Bureau of Shipping are essential. These certifications ensure that materials and processes meet the high requirements of the shipbuilding industry.
Steel for shipbuilding often needs to be corrosion-resistant and mechanically stable in order to withstand the harsh conditions at sea. Certificates from classification societies are therefore necessary for international market access.
Pressure vessels
Pressure vessels must meet the strict European requirements, such as those set out in the PED 2014/68/EU or AD-W0/TRD 100 certifications. These certifications confirm the safety of the containers and compliance with all relevant regulations.
Many safety-relevant aspects are taken into account, such as material strength and the ability to withstand pressure.
Nuclear power
The nuclear power industry places particularly high demands on safety. Certifications such as KTA 3210.1 or AVS D 100/50 are required here to allow the materials to be used in power plants.
These standards are strictly monitored, as even minor deviations could have serious consequences. Approval for the nuclear power industry is therefore a complex process that requires extensive testing and qualification.
Oil and gas
For the oil and gas industry, certificates such as NORSOK M-650 and ISO 17782 are of central importance. They certify that the steel can also be used under extreme conditions, such as high pressure or aggressive media.
In this industry, certifications are necessary to ensure that the materials fulfill their function and meet the high standards even under particularly challenging conditions.
General vs. product-specific approvals
There are two basic types of approvals:
- General approvals:
These confirm that a company's manufacturing processes meet certain standards, regardless of the specific product. An example of this is ISO 9001. Such certifications offer the company flexibility and allow it to participate in a variety of markets. - Product-specific approvals:
These relate to a specific product or material. One example is the approval for an anti-magnetic material for a state-owned company in Germany. In this case, a detailed production plan must be drawn up and comprehensive tests carried out before approval as a supplier is granted.
Success stories from the field
One example of the benefits of certification is our NORSOK approval for the Norwegian oil market. Thanks to this certification, we were able to acquire new customers and further expand our market position in Scandinavia. Certifications are a strong signal of confidence and make it much easier to enter new markets.
Another example is our recognition as a supplier in the VD TÜV material sheet for the material 1.4903. After a two-year qualification process, we are now recognized as an Austrian supplier. This not only demonstrates our technical expertise, but also our willingness to invest in quality and reliability in the long term.
Future certifications and strategic goals
In the future, we plan to acquire certifications such as ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001 for occupational safety and ISO 50001 (energy management). These will expand our portfolio and strengthen our image as a comprehensively certified company. The occupational health and safety certification underlines our commitment to protecting our employees, while energy management underlines our efforts to use energy efficiently and continuously improve our environmental performance. These certificates enable us to better meet the requirements of our international customers.
Challenges in obtaining new certifications
Obtaining new certifications often involves a great deal of effort. It requires not only time and financial resources, but also adjustments to internal processes. For example, it may be necessary for the laboratory to accredit new test methods or for employees to be trained in order to meet the strict requirements. However, this effort is worthwhile, as certifications increase our competitiveness and open up new market opportunities for us. In the long term, these measures help to improve our internal processes and increase customer satisfaction.
Advantages for our customers
Our customers benefit directly from our certifications:
- Easier sourcing of materials:
Thanks to our certifications, our customers can source materials directly without additional testing, saving time and money. - Trust and reliability:
Long-standing certifications strengthen our customers' trust in our products and services. They prove that we maintain consistently high quality standards. - Flexibility and diversity:
Our wide range of certifications allows us to respond flexibly to the requirements of different markets and industries. This makes us a versatile and reliable partner.
Trends and requirements in the industries
Current developments
- Aviation:
The aviation industry is becoming increasingly important to us. Certifications such as EN 9100 are crucial in order to meet the high safety requirements of this industry and to offer high-quality, precisely manufactured products. - Nuclear power:
The demand for materials for the nuclear power industry is increasing due to its role as a reliable source of energy in the energy transition. Specific certifications are required to operate in this industry. - Wind power:
We are active in the renewable energy sector, particularly wind power, and supply materials for gearboxes and main bearings for wind turbines. As the global expansion of renewable energies progresses, the demand for durable, certified materials is increasing.
Environmental and sustainability certifications
Our ISO 14001 certifications and planned certifications such as EMAS underline our commitment to environmental management and sustainability.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to many customers, and our environmental certifications give them the assurance that we work responsibly and in an environmentally conscious manner.
Competitive advantages through certifications
Even though many of our competitors have similar certifications, we stand out due to the variety and number of our certificates. Our broad range of certifications enables us to respond flexibly to specific customer inquiries and implement complex projects with special requirements. This gives us a significant advantage in the competition for customers and markets.
Influence on internal processes and employee qualifications
Our certifications also have a positive impact on our internal processes:
- Continuous improvement:
We continuously improve our processes through regular audits and inspections. This increases both the quality of our products and the efficiency of our production processes. Continuous improvement is a central component of our corporate strategy. - Employee qualification:
Our employees are regularly trained to meet our high standards, for example in non-destructive testing methods such as ultrasonic testing. The training and qualification of our employees is crucial in order to comply with the certified processes and ensure product quality.
Conclusion
Certifications are indispensable in the steel industry. They guarantee quality, safety and reliability and are often the decisive criterion when customers select a supplier.
Breitenfeld Edelstahl AG has a large number of important certifications and is constantly working to expand its portfolio in order to meet the growing demands of the market. These certifications not only help us to open up new markets and strengthen customer confidence, but also improve our internal processes and our competitiveness.
Would you like to find out more about our certifications or do you have specific requirements? Contact us - we will be happy to advise you personally!
