Europe: Eurocodes, EN 1090 and CE marking

The European framework

In the European Union and the wider European Economic Area, structural design follows the Eurocodes, each applied with a National Annex that sets nationally determined parameters such as partial factors, wind and snow maps. Building approval remains national, but structural steel components are construction products, so their placing on the market is governed by the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). For fabricated steelwork this means CE marking under EN 1090-1, supported by execution to EN 1090-2 (steel) and EN 1090-4 (cold-formed elements for roof, ceiling, floor and wall applications).

The framework is in transition: the revised CPR, Regulation (EU) 2024/3110, entered into force in January 2025 and applies progressively as harmonised standards are updated, and the second generation of Eurocodes is due to be implemented nationally by 2027–2028.

Code mapping

Execution classes and CE marking

EN 1090-2 defines four execution classes, EXC1 to EXC4, which set increasingly strict requirements for welding coordination, inspection, traceability and tolerances. The designer selects the class, normally using the guidance in the Eurocodes based on consequence class and type of loading. Most single-storey industrial buildings are EXC2; EXC3 is used for higher consequence classes and for structures with significant fatigue or seismic demands.

To CE-mark fabricated components, the manufacturer must operate a factory production control (FPC) system that is assessed and certified by a notified body under EN 1090-1, appoint qualified welding coordination personnel, and issue a Declaration of Performance for each product. Without this certification, components cannot legally be CE-marked for the EU market.

Consequence class also enters the design through the reliability (KFI) factor on actions in some National Annexes. Because a fabricator certified to a higher class may execute any lower class, a plant working to EXC3 can supply the EXC2 components typical of industrial PEBs.

Other European considerations

• United Kingdom. Great Britain uses BS EN Eurocodes with UK National Annexes and the UKCA mark for construction products. CE marking continues to be recognised in Great Britain for most construction products beyond the earlier June 2025 deadline, with any change to be announced with at least two years' notice. Northern Ireland follows EU rules.
• Non-EU EEA and neighbours. Norway applies the CPR through the EEA Agreement; Switzerland uses its own SIA standards, which are closely aligned with the Eurocodes.
• Carbon border adjustment. Fabricated steel structures under HS 7308 fall within the scope of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), whose definitive period began in January 2026. Importers must account for embedded emissions, so suppliers should be ready to provide emissions data.
• Energy and fire. National energy regulations and EN 13501 fire classifications strongly affect cladding and insulation choices; see insulated sandwich panels.

World Steel in European markets

World Steel Construction holds EN 1090-2 Execution Class EXC3 and ISO 3834-2 certification and designs to the Eurocodes with the relevant National Annexes. WSC does not currently hold CE marking certification under EN 1090-1 factory production control; for EU projects that require CE-marked components, the route must be arranged or confirmed for that project. See the global overview, Australian and New Zealand standards for comparison, and market compliance and certification.