The SN EN ISO 9606-1:2018 standard outlines the requirements for qualifying welders engaged in the fusion welding of steels. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard aims to ensure weld quality and safety across various industries.

Purpose and objectives

The primary objective of the SN EN ISO 9606-1:2018 standard is to establish a uniform basis for the qualification of welders performing fusion welding of steels. This standard aims to enhance the overall quality and safety of welded structures by ensuring that welders possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their tasks effectively. By clearly defining the qualification testing procedures, acceptance criteria, and documentation requirements, this standard seeks to minimize the risks associated with welding defects and non-compliance in critical applications such as construction, manufacturing, and fabrication.

Scope: who must comply

The SN EN ISO 9606-1:2018 standard applies to organizations involved in the fusion welding of steels, including those in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and automotive industries. This standard is particularly relevant to:

• Welding companies that employ manual, partly mechanized, or fully mechanized welding processes.
• Quality assurance professionals responsible for overseeing welder qualifications and compliance with industry standards.
• Training institutions that prepare welders for certification and employ the guidelines for effective training programs.

Organizations must comply with these standards to ensure that their welders meet the ISO 9606-1:2012 certification requirements, ultimately contributing to safe and reliable products.

How SN EN ISO 9606-1:2018 relates to other standards

The SN EN ISO 9606-1:2018 standard is part of a broader framework of standards that govern welding processes. Notable related standards include:

• ISO 3834: A standard that specifies quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials, providing guidelines for organizations to ensure consistent quality in their welding processes.
• ISO 14732: This standard focuses on the qualification of welding personnel, outlining the necessary competencies for both welding operators and supervisors.
• ISO 9606-2: A successor to ISO 9606-1, this standard addresses qualification tests for welders engaged in welding aluminum, thereby expanding the scope of welder qualification across different materials.

Revision history and current status

The SN EN ISO 9606-1:2018 is the latest revision of this standard, which has undergone several updates since its initial publication. The previous versions include ISO 9606-1:2012, along with corrections Cor 1:2012 and Cor 2:2013, which addressed specific technical clarifications and compliance requirements. The 2018 revision introduced refinements to the qualification testing procedures and updated the acceptance criteria for weld quality, ensuring that the standard remains aligned with contemporary practices in the welding industry.