EN 1090 Certification Explained: What Solar Mounting Manufacturers Need to Know

Introduction
For any solar mounting manufacturer looking to sell into the European market, obtaining EN 1090 certification is not optional — it is a legal requirement. Since the Construction Products Regulation (CPR, EU 305/2011) came into full effect, all structural steel and aluminum components used in permanent building construction within the EU must carry CE marking underpinned by EN 1090 compliance.

This article explains what EN 1090 certification means for solar mounting manufacturers, the different execution classes (EXC), the certification process, and practical steps for achieving and maintaining compliance. Whether you are a manufacturer planning European market entry or a B2B buyer evaluating supplier credentials, understanding EN 1090 is essential for successful projects in Europe.

1. What Is EN 1090?
EN 1090 is a series of European standards that govern the fabrication and assembly of steel and aluminum structures. It is divided into three parts:
     1.EN 1090-1: Requirements for conformity assessment of structural components — this is the part that enables CE marking.
     2.EN 1090-2: Technical requirements for steel structures — covers welding, tolerances, load-bearing capacity, and material specifications.
     3.EN 1090-3: Technical requirements for aluminum structures — analogous to Part 2 but specifically for aluminum components used in mounting systems.
For solar mounting manufacturers, EN 1090-1 and EN 1090-3 are the most directly relevant. EN 1090-3 governs aluminum profiles, rails, clamps, and brackets, while EN 1090-2 applies to steel ground-mount structures, piles, and torque tubes.

2. Why EN 1090 Matters for Solar Mounting
2.1 It Is a Legal Requirement
Under the EU Construction Products Regulation, any structural component permanently installed in a building (including rooftop solar mounting systems on commercial and residential buildings) must carry CE marking. EN 1090 certification is the route to that CE marking. Without it, manufacturers cannot legally sell mounting systems for use on EU buildings.

2.2 Project Bankability
European project developers, EPC contractors, and insurers increasingly require EN 1090 certification as a condition for procurement. Projects financed by the European Investment Bank or other institutional lenders often mandate EN 1090-compliant components. A supplier without certification may be disqualified at the tendering stage, regardless of price.

2.3 Liability Protection
EN 1090 certification shifts the liability framework. A certified manufacturer follows a Factory Production Control (FPC) system audited by a notified body. In the event of a structural failure, the certification demonstrates that the manufacturer followed established standards and due diligence, providing critical legal protection.

3. Execution Classes (EXC) Explained
EN 1090 defines four execution classes (EXC1 through EXC4) that determine the level of quality control, inspection, and documentation required. The class is selected based on the consequence class (CC) of the structure and the service category (SC):

3.1 Which EXC Level for Solar Mounting?
For the vast majority of solar mounting applications — including commercial rooftop, ground-mount up to 50 MW, and residential systems — EXC2 is the standard requirement. Utility-scale solar farms exceeding 50 MW or those located in high-risk areas (seismic zones, extreme wind regions) may require EXC3. Manufacturers targeting the European market should achieve at minimum EXC2 certification, with the capability to extend to EXC3 for large-scale project bids.

4. The Certification Process
4.1 Step-by-Step Overview
Achieving EN 1090 certification typically takes 4–8 months and involves the following steps:
     4.Gap analysis: A pre-audit assessment of existing manufacturing processes against EN 1090 requirements.
     5.FPC documentation: Develop a Factory Production Control manual covering welding procedures (WPS), material traceability, inspection protocols, and non-conformance handling.
     6.Welder qualification: Ensure all welding personnel are certified to EN 287-1 / ISO 9606 standards.
     7.Material certification: Establish documented supply chain traceability for all incoming materials with mill certificates (EN 10204 Type 3.1).
     8.Initial type testing (ITT): Structural load testing of product samples to validate design calculations and compliance with EN 1990 / EN 1999 (Eurocodes).
     9.Notified body audit: An accredited third-party (e.g., TUV Rheinland, Bureau Veritas, SGS) audits the FPC system and conducts initial type testing.
     10.Certification issuance: Upon successful audit, the notified body issues the EN 1090 certificate, enabling CE marking on products.
     11.Ongoing surveillance: Annual audits by the notified body to maintain certification.

4.2 Cost Range
The total cost for EN 1090 certification (EXC2, aluminum + steel) typically ranges from EUR 25,000 to 55,000, broken down as:
     12.FPC documentation development: EUR 5,000–15,000 (internal or consultant-assisted)
     13.Initial type testing: EUR 8,000–20,000 per product family
     14.Notified body audit (initial): EUR 8,000–15,000
     15.Annual surveillance audit: EUR 4,000–8,000 per year

5. Key Technical Requirements
5.1 Material Traceability
Every component must be traceable to its original material batch. This means:
     16.Aluminum profiles must be marked with batch numbers and alloy grade (e.g., EN AW-6005A T5).
     17.Steel components require mill certificates traceable to the specific heat number.
     18.Hardware (bolts, nuts, washers) must carry manufacturer markings and batch identification.
     19.All traceability records must be maintained for a minimum of 10 years.

5.2 Welding Requirements
All welding must be performed according to approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) qualified under EN ISO 15609 or EN ISO 15612. Welders must hold valid certification to EN ISO 9606. For aluminum (EN 1090-3), particular attention must be paid to:
     20.Pre-weld cleaning to remove oxide layers
     21.Appropriate filler material selection (e.g., EN ISO 18273 AlSi5 or AlMg5)
     22.Post-weld inspection including visual (EN 17637), dye penetrant, or radiographic testing as specified by the EXC level

5.3 Load-Bearing Design
EN 1090 requires that all structural components be designed in accordance with the relevant Eurocodes:
     23.EN 1990 (Eurocode 0): Basis of structural design
     24.EN 1991 (Eurocode 1): Actions on structures (wind, snow, dead loads)
     25.EN 1999 (Eurocode 9): Design of aluminum structures — critical for solar mounting systems

6. EN 1090 vs. Other Certification Schemes

Important distinction: EN 1090 is mandatory for structural components installed on buildings within the EU, while TUV and ISO certifications are market differentiators. A manufacturer may hold ISO 9001 and TUV certifications but still be legally barred from selling mounting systems for EU building installations without EN 1090.

7. How B2B Buyers Should Verify EN 1090 Compliance
For B2B buyers evaluating solar mounting suppliers for European projects, here is a verification checklist:
     26.Request a copy of the EN 1090 certificate — ensure it is issued by a recognized notified body (NB number required) and covers the specific product categories you are procuring.
     27.Check the EXC level — EXC2 is standard; confirm whether EXC3 is available for large-scale projects.
     28.Verify the certificate’s validity period — EN 1090 certificates require annual surveillance audits; expired certificates indicate lapsed compliance.
     29.Request FPC documentation — A legitimate manufacturer should provide their FPC manual or a summary of their quality control procedures.
     30.Confirm material traceability — Ask for sample mill certificates and batch traceability records for recent shipments.
     31.Check weld certification — Request welder qualification records (EN ISO 9606) for the production team.

8. AISINEE’s EN 1090 Certification
AISINEE holds CE certification with standard EN 1090-1 , covering both aluminum and steel solar mounting systems. Our certification was awarded by CE & TUV Rheinland and covers our full product range, including:
     32.Aluminum rooftop mounting systems (residential, commercial, rail-less)
     33.Aluminum ground-mount systems
     34.ZAM-coated steel ground-mount systems
The certification is maintained through annual surveillance audits with zero non-conformities recorded in the most recent audit cycle. AISINEE can also support EXC3-level project bids through enhanced FPC procedures and third-party structural verification.

Conclusion
EN 1090 certification is the gateway to the European solar mounting market. It transforms a manufacturer from a commodity supplier into a certified partner capable of supporting bankable, insurable, and legally compliant solar projects across the EU.
For B2B buyers, EN 1090 is not just a checkbox — it is a reliable indicator of manufacturing quality, traceability, and long-term accountability. For manufacturers, the investment in certification pays for itself through access to higher-value projects, reduced liability risk, and stronger buyer confidence.

Planning a European solar project? AISINEE’s EN 1090-certified mounting systems are available for immediate quotation. Contact our European sales desk for project-specific load calculations, certification documentation, and delivery timelines.

This article is part of AISINEE's Product & Technology Deep Dives series. For EN 1090-compliant solar mounting solutions for your European projects, contact our team.

For any inquiry for solar mounting system, pls contact us, E-mail: sales@aisinee.com, Whatsapp / Wechat Skype: +86 18959208931, thanks.