Why Customers Ask About EN 10204 3.1 NextWhat You Need to Know About Material Test Reports (MTR)

In machining and industrial hardware supply, after customers finish confirming RoHS, REACH, and PFAS Free, the next question that often comes up is:

“Do you have an EN 10204 3.1 material certificate?”

For many suppliers, this document looks like just an English report—but in reality, it often becomes a key factor in whether the customer will move forward with cooperation.

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1. What Is EN 10204—What Does It Actually Control?

EN 10204 is a document standard established by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).One key point must be clarified first:

EN 10204 is not a material specification, and it is not a quality certification.

Its purpose is very specific: it defines how trustworthy an inspection document is.

In other words, EN 10204 is not judging whether the material is “good” or “bad”—it is judging whether the test document you provide is reliable enough to be trusted.

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2. What Is EN 10204 3.1?

Within the EN 10204 classifications, 3.1 is the most commonly requested and most widely accepted level for machining and industrial hardware.

EN 10204 3.1 means:

• Issued by the manufacturer of the material or the product

• The document contains actual test results for that specific batch (not generic reference values)

• The inspection results must be signed by an inspector independent from the production department (typically QC or QA)

In plain terms, the key point of 3.1 is not only “having data,” but that the data was actually tested, and it is not simply self-declared by production.

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3. What’s the Difference Between the EN 10204 Levels?

Before focusing on 3.1, here’s a quick overview of the classification concept:

• 2.1: Declaration of compliance only, with no test data

• 2.2: Includes test results, but not necessarily actual results for that batch

• 3.1: Actual test results for that batch, signed by an independent inspector

• 3.2: Tests witnessed/verified by a third party or the customer; the strictest level

In practice, 3.1 is the most common level accepted by international customers, balancing credibility and cost.

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4. How to Read an MTR (EN 10204 3.1) After You Receive It

When people see an EN 10204 3.1 MTR for the first time, they often feel overwhelmed: many pages, lots of English, and no idea where to start.

The good news is: you don’t need to read every word.If you do a quick scan using the checkpoints below, you can judge whether the certificate is valid and reliable.

(1) Basic Information & Traceability (Heat Number)

First, check the Heat Number.

Think of it as the material’s ID number. It must be traceable to the actual product marking—such as stamping, laser marking, or labels.

If the heat number on the document cannot be matched to the physical product, the credibility of the certificate drops immediately.

(2) Chemical Analysis

Next, review the chemical composition table.

This section lists elements such as C, Si, Mn, P, S, and for stainless steels commonly Cr, Ni, Mo, etc.

You don’t need to memorize the numbers. The key is to confirm whether the measured values fall within the allowed range of the specified material standard.

(3) Mechanical Properties

This section answers one question: Is the material strong enough?

Common items include:

• Yield Strength: the point where plastic deformation starts

• Tensile Strength: the maximum force before fracture

• Elongation: whether the material is too brittle

• Hardness: whether it meets the application requirement

For load-bearing, structural, or safety-related parts, this section is especially critical.

(4) Heat Treatment Condition

The MTR often states the heat treatment condition—such as solution annealed, annealed, normalized, etc.

Even with the same material grade, different heat treatment conditions can significantly affect strength, toughness, and service life.

(5) Signature & Independence Statement

One core requirement of EN 10204 3.1 is that the document must be signed by an inspector independent from production.

This indicates that the data was not filled in casually to meet shipment timing—it was confirmed through a formal inspection process.

MTR Quick Check Summary Table

Check Item	What to Look For	Why It Matters
Heat Number	Clearly stated and traceable to product stamping/marking	Ensures traceability and accountability
Material Standard / Spec	Correct material name and standard	Confirms match to PO and drawing requirements
Chemical Composition	Values within the allowed range	Impacts corrosion resistance and service life
Mechanical Properties	Strength, elongation, hardness	Ensures safety and load capability
Heat Treatment	Clearly stated	Heat treatment can drastically change performance
Signature & Statement	EN 10204 3.1 stated and independently signed	Determines the document’s credibility

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5. What Are the Most Common MTR Issues That Cause Customer Rejection?

In practice, when customers say “the MTR has problems,” they usually aren’t picky about formatting.The real issue is that the document cannot clearly prove that this batch of parts is truly made from this material and this batch.

Most common rejection reasons include:

1. The heat number on the document doesn’t match the physical product

2. Material description is too vague (e.g., only “stainless steel” or “carbon steel”)

3. Composition or strength data is incomplete

4. Test data does not match PO or drawing requirements

5. Heat treatment condition is not stated

6. No independent signature as required by EN 10204 3.1

7. Document batch does not match the actual shipment batch

When customers reject, it’s often not because you “don’t have a certificate,” but because the certificate cannot clearly link to the shipped batch.

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6. Why Is This Material Certificate So Important?

For machining suppliers, an MTR is not just a document to hand over—it is a responsibility boundary.

If something goes wrong in the field, the heat number and MTR help determine whether the issue comes from the material itself or from machining/processing conditions.

Understanding and using MTRs correctly reduces rejection risk and gives customers greater confidence to place orders with you.

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7. How Sheng Fong Precision Can Help

In real-world cases, the question is often not “Do you have 3.1?” but:

“Will your 3.1 be accepted by the customer?”

Sheng Fong Precision can help you:

• confirm whether EN 10204 3.1 is required

• interpret and check the key points of an MTR

• reduce the risk of rejection and rework

• provide traceable hardware parts and local substitution solutions

LINE: @s9000 Feel free to reach out—we’ll help you clarify materials and certification requirements in one go.

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