Why is an EN 1090 standard important in steel building construction?

 

 

 

In the previous article, we explained where price differences in steel buildings come from.

 

One of the key factors that strongly influences the price — but is often not visible to the investor — is compliance with the EN 1090 standard.

 

But EN 1090 is not just a standard.

 

It defines how steel structures are manufactured, how quality is controlled, and — very importantly — the documentation that the investor receives at the end of the project.

 

 

What does CE marking mean for steel structures ?

 

 

 

If you come across the CE marking, it means that the product complies with European Union requirements.

In the case of steel structures, the CE marking is directly linked to EN 1090.

 

In practice, this means that:

 

• the structure has been manufactured according to defined standards
• the production process is controlled
• the materials used have verified properties

 

This is not just a formality — it confirms that a structured quality system stands behind the product.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What requirements must the manufacturer meet?

 

 

EN 1090 is not a single document, but a set of rules that the manufacturer must implement and follow in daily production.

 

In practice, this includes:

 

• controlled production processes
• use of defined procedures (e.g. welding procedures)
• qualified personnel
• control of materials and their origin
• proper documentation throughout the process

 

In short — production is not random.

 

Every step must be repeatable, controlled, and traceable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EN 1090 and documentation – how does it connect?

 

 

In practice, EN 1090 does not end at production.

 

Its natural outcome is the documentation provided to the investor after completion of the building.

 

This is also where the biggest differences between suppliers often become visible.

 

 

What should the investor receive? 

 

 

After completion, the investor should receive documentation confirming that the structure has been manufactured in compliance with the required standards.

The most important elements include:

 

1. CE marking and Declaration of Performance

 

Confirmation that the structure complies with EN 1090 and can be legally used.

 

2. Material documentation

 

Information about the materials used, their properties, and origin.

 

This is important because steel quality directly affects the durability of the structure.

 

3. As-built documentation

 

Confirmation that the structure has been completed in accordance with the design and applicable requirements.

 

In the case of prefabricated steel buildings, the as-built documentation is a natural continuation of the initial design — reflecting the same assumptions and solutions approved at the design stage.

 

This ensures that the final building corresponds to what was originally agreed.

 

 

Why does EN 1090 matter for the investor?

 

From an investor’s perspective, the key question is:

 

• is the structure safe and compliant with regulations?

 

And this is exactly what EN 1090 ensures — especially when combined with complete documentation.

 

Thanks to this standard:

 

• the structure meets legal requirements
• the production process is controlled and systematic
• the risk of issues during handover is reduced
• the investor has greater confidence in the quality of execution

 

These are things that are not always visible at first glance — but they are crucial in practice.

 

 

 

What if the structure does not comply with EN 1090?

 

 

This is a topic that is rarely discussed openly.

 

Non-compliance with the standard may result in:

 

• problems during building handover or inspection
• missing required documentation
• the need for additional assessments or expert reports
• project delays

 

In extreme cases, the structure may not be eligible for use without further corrective actions.

 

EN 1090 is not an “extra” or unnecessary formality.

 

It is the foundation that defines whether a steel structure has been manufactured in a safe, repeatable, and compliant way.

 

Combined with proper documentation, it gives the investor a clear picture of the quality and responsibility of the manufacturer.

 

That is why, when choosing a supplier, it is not only the price that matters — but also whether the offer is backed by a real quality system supported by documentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to Really Consider When Choosing a Structure?

 

Investors planning the construction of a steel building often encounter significant differences in quotes from various suppliers. It happens that the prices of structures with very similar dimensions can differ by tens of percent.

In such cases, the natural question is: are all these structures really the same?

At first glance, a steel building may seem like just a set of steel components that form a structure once assembled. In practice, however, many factors affect the final price — from the design, materials, and production standards to documentation and the method of project execution.

Understanding these factors allows investors not only to better compare offers but also to avoid problems during later stages of construction or building use.

 

Structural design

 

One of the first factors affecting the cost of a steel building is the structural design.

Every building should be designed considering specific conditions, such as:

• location of the project
• snow and wind loads
• intended use of the building
• planned equipment
• potential future expansion

A custom-designed project allows the structure to be adapted to the investor’s actual needs and local conditions.

In some cases, universal solutions or pre-designed structural schemes are used. While these can reduce the offer price, they may not always be optimally suited to a specific project. There are still cases where designers do not use current standards (so-called Eurocodes) and rely on outdated guidelines from decades ago.

 

 

Materials used in production

 

Another key factor affecting price is the construction materials.

Differences may include:

• steel grade
• thickness of structural elements
• method of corrosion protection
• quality of insulation materials (in the name of cost savings, lower-quality cladding is sometimes used)
• material origin

Two buildings with similar dimensions may look almost identical in visualizations or drawings, but the materials used can have entirely different technical parameters and durability.

For storage or production buildings, this is especially important because the structure must safely serve for many years.

 

 

 

Production standards

 

Steel structure production in Europe is subject to certain standards and quality procedures.

This includes, for example:

• quality control at various stages of production, even at the material ordering stage
• use of proper welding procedures
• qualifications of workers performing welding
• technological supervision of the production process

Maintaining such a quality system generates additional costs for the manufacturer but ensures a high standard of workmanship.

In very low-cost offers, these factors may be limited or omitted.

 

 

Certifications and compliance

 

In many European countries, steel buildings must meet specific technical requirements and have the appropriate certifications.

Certificates confirm, among other things:

• compliance with applicable standards during production
• quality control of the manufacturing process
• use of materials with verified parameters and origin

Although certificates may seem like a formality to the investor, in practice they are part of a system that ensures the structure’s safety and regulatory compliance.

 

Why the lowest price often carries risk

 

In the steel construction sector, very low-priced offers are increasingly common. Sometimes the price is so attractive that it significantly deviates from other market offers.

In such cases, it is worth asking: where are the savings?

It may concern, for example:

• material quality
• thickness of structural elements
• production quality control
• technical documentation
• worker qualifications

It also happens that companies offering extremely low prices lack the experience or technical capacity to handle larger projects.

As a result, the investor may receive a building that looks fine at first glance but does not actually meet all technical requirements or European standards.

 

What can happen if building does not meet standards

 

Problems with the quality of a steel building often appear in later stages of a project.

Most often during:

• building inspections and approvals
• assembly of the structure and potential on-site accidents
• documentation review by inspectors
• the first years of building operation

Lack of proper certificates or documentation may require additional testing, expert evaluations, or technical analyses.

In extreme cases, this can lead to project delays, extra costs, or the need to replace some structural elements.

Therefore, it is essential to carefully analyze not only the quoted price but also the production standards and documentation when selecting a supplier.

It is also worth noting that the client is responsible for health and safety during construction. If the supplier does not work safely or lacks qualified personnel, the client may face consequences from potential irregularities or accidents on site.

 

Technical and material documentation

 

 

In professional steel building production, documentation plays a critical role.

It may include, among other things:

• material certificates for steel
• welding documentation
• quality control protocols
• labeling of individual structural elements

This allows tracking the origin of materials and the production process.

Lack of such documentation can lead to problems during inspections or during building operation.

 

Transport and assembly

 

 

Logistics and organization also affect the final investment cost.

Key factors include:

• how the building is prepared for transport
• distance between the manufacturing plant and construction site
• assembly organization
• experience of assembly teams

A professionally prepared assembly helps avoid delays, technical issues, and additional costs on site.

 

 

6 things to check before choosing a building manufacturer

 

 

Before signing a contract with a steel building manufacturer, it is advisable to ask a few basic questions:

• Does the company manufacture buildings according to EN 1090 standards?
• Can material certificates be provided?
• Do the welders have proper qualifications?
• Does the manufacturer provide complete structural documentation?
• Does the company have experience with similar projects?
• Do the assembly teams have the necessary licenses and qualifications?

Answers to these questions often quickly indicate production standards and the reliability of the contractor.

 

Summary

 

 

Large differences in steel building prices are not accidental. They result from many factors, including structural design, materials, production standards, and quality control systems.

Although the lowest price may seem attractive at the start of a project, in practice, durability, safety, and compliance with standards are the most important.

Therefore, when choosing a steel building supplier, it is worth analyzing not only the total offer price but also what is actually behind that price.

 

In our next blog article, we will take a closer look at one of the most important elements of quality systems in steel buildings — the EN 1090 standard.

We will explain, among other things:

• what CE marking for steel buildings means
• what requirements the manufacturer must meet
• why the EN 1090 standard matters for investors