CE marking for structural bolting: EN 15048 and EN 14399
This page exists because our industry is full of "CE available on request" claims that do not survive a technical question. Here is the accurate position, including the parts that limit what any supplier can offer.
Three facts that decide most conversations
1. CE for structural fasteners applies to complete bolting assemblies (bolt + nut + washer), not to loose bolts or nuts.
2. It exists only within the scope of EN 15048 (non-preloaded) and EN 14399 (preloaded high-strength) under CPR (EU) 305/2011, certification system 2+.
3. General dimensional standards — EN ISO 4014, 4017, 4032 — are not sufficient to qualify a product as a structural bolting assembly.
Which standard applies to your joint
| Joint type | Standard | Certification | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bearing-type connection, not preloaded (category A) | EN 15048-1 (assembly) / EN 15048-2 (suitability test) | System 2+ — Notified Body FPC audit + initial type testing; manufacturer issues DoP | Steel and aluminium structures where the design does not rely on friction grip; performance classes B1 (static), B2 (fatigue), B3 (seismic) |
| Preloaded, friction-grip connection | EN 14399 series (parts 1–10) | System 2+ — FPC + K-class suitability testing | High-strength structural bolting to EN 1090-2, where preload and slip resistance are designed for |
| General commercial fasteners | DIN 933 / ISO 4017, DIN 931 / ISO 4014, DIN 934 / ISO 4032 | No CE route. Quality evidenced by EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate and dimensional inspection | Machinery, racking, solar mounting, general assembly |
Why the assembly matters
Preload and slip behaviour are properties of the set: bolt, nut and washer interact through friction, thread geometry and lubrication. That is why the harmonised standards certify the assembly, and why a bolt sold on its own cannot legitimately be CE marked as a structural bolting component. If your project is executed under EN 1090-2 at execution class EXC2 or above, the assemblies must be CE marked and accompanied by a DoP.
What we supply
- Structural bolting assemblies (EN 15048 / EN 14399) produced by FPC-certified partner mills holding valid Notified Body certificates, with the Declaration of Performance issued per project. Send us the standard, property class, K-class or performance class and coating, and we confirm mill availability, certificate numbers and lead time.
- Standard commercial fasteners with EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates, dimensional reports, coating thickness reports and PMI on request.
- Traceability: heat number, mill, production date and test data linked to the packing list, so an auditor can follow one carton back to one heat.
What we will not do
We will not print a CE mark on a loose bolt, invent a DoP number, or describe a general-purpose DIN 933 as a certified structural assembly. If a supplier offers you any of those, treat it as a warning about everything else on their quotation.
Documents to ask any supplier for
- FPC certificate with the Notified Body number and the exact standard and scope covered
- Declaration of Performance for the assembly you are buying, referencing the harmonised standard
- Initial type test / suitability test report (EN 15048-2 or EN 14399-2 as applicable)
- EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate per heat, with mechanical properties tested to EN ISO 898-1 / 898-2
- Coating specification and, for hot-dip galvanizing, coating mass or thickness results to ISO 1461
Frequently asked questions
Can I get CE for bolts I buy from you?
Only as part of a complete bolting assembly within EN 15048 or EN 14399 scope, supplied through a mill holding a valid FPC certificate, with a DoP issued for that assembly. A loose DIN 933 bolt has no CE route, and any supplier who says otherwise is misrepresenting the product.
Is CE the same as an ISO 9001 certificate?
No. ISO 9001 is a voluntary quality management system standard. CE under CPR is a legal market-access requirement for construction products, based on a harmonised standard, certification system 2+, factory production control and a Declaration of Performance. They are unrelated.
Do EN ISO 4014 / 4017 bolts qualify as structural bolting?
The dimensional standards alone do not qualify a fastener as a structural bolting assembly. Structural use (particularly under EN 1090-2) requires assemblies certified to EN 15048 or EN 14399.
Need a compliance statement or document pack for your market?
Tell us the destination country and product family — we return the applicable route, required documents and lead time within 48 hours.