When you buy steel handling equipment for a demanding environment, certification is not a nice-to-have; it is the evidence that the product is fit for the job. Buyers in sectors such as nuclear, marine, automotive and power generation routinely ask us the same question: what is actually involved in CE and UKCA accreditation, and how does it relate to standards like the National Structural Steelwork Specification (NSSS)? This guide explains what these marks mean, how the NSSS 7th Edition fits in, and why it matters when you are procuring stillages, cages and trolleys.
CE and UKCA accreditation: what the marks actually mean
A conformity mark is a manufacturer’s declaration that a product meets the relevant legal and technical requirements for the market it is sold into. For steel fabrications there are two marks to be aware of:
- UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) — the marking used to place products on the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). It is now the primary mark for GB and demonstrates conformity with applicable UK regulations.
- CE marking — the equivalent conformity mark for the European Economic Area, and it remains relevant where products are sold into, or specified against, EU requirements.
In practice the underlying engineering discipline behind both marks is the same: the right materials, controlled fabrication, qualified welders and documented inspection. For structural steel products, that framework is set out in harmonised standards such as BS EN 1090 for the execution of steel structures. If you want a plain-English overview of the UK mark specifically, our companion article on UKCA certification and why it matters is a good starting point.
Why certification matters for stillages and cages
A stillage that is welded and dimensionally accurate to a recognised standard behaves predictably: it stacks safely, it lifts safely, and it carries its rated load without deforming. That is why confidence in compliance is a prerequisite for procurement in regulated industries. When you buy certified equipment, you are buying handling gear that has been designed and manufactured fit for purpose against the standards it was procured for. If you are weighing up suppliers, our post on why customers choose a Lowe stillage sets out how that assurance is built in from the drawing stage.
The NSSS 7th Edition explained
The National Structural Steelwork Specification is produced by the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA). Its purpose is to state what materials and products should be used, and how fabrication and erection should be carried out, so that the completed structure meets the designer's assumptions and the client’s needs. Design standards such as the Eurocodes give rules that are only valid when strength, dimensional accuracy and freedom from defects fall within presumed limits — the NSSS is what turns those assumptions into workshop reality.
The 7th Edition came into force on 1 January 2021 and represented the most significant revision since the specification was first introduced in 1989. It is now the established reference for UK structural steelwork rather than a forthcoming change. The complete “execution specification” for a piece of work comprises a range of documents — drawings, a general specification covering the supply of materials and workmanship, and project-specific requirements for the individual item or structure.
Key requirements introduced by the 7th Edition
- Third-party certified welding quality management — steelwork contractors are required to operate a welding quality management system certified to BS EN ISO 3834, with the relevant part (for example BS EN ISO 3834-3) selected according to the work being carried out.
- Execution Class scope — the main body of the NSSS covers Execution Class 2 (EXC2), with annexes addressing Execution Class 3 (EXC3) for static structures and for structures subject to fatigue, such as crane-supporting steelwork.
- Alignment with BS EN 1090-2 — the specification works alongside BS EN 1090-2, the execution standard that underpins conformity marking for structural steel components.
Welding, inspection and traceability
Welding is a specialist activity, and it is where a lot of the quality of a finished stillage is decided. It should never be over-specified — weld sizes cost money and heat input can distort a frame — but it must always be controlled. Under the NSSS and BS EN 1090-2:
- Welding must be carried out in accordance with a weld procedure specification (WPS) that is itself based on a qualified weld procedure test, to the relevant reference standards.
- Welding must be performed by welders qualified for the particular type of work to the relevant reference standards.
- The contractor’s welding management system must meet the quality requirements of BS EN ISO 3834.
- All welds are inspected, and a defined proportion are tested as prescribed, so that welds are completed without unacceptable defects.
Sitting behind all of this is management-system certification. Independent, accredited certification is what gives a conformity mark credibility rather than treating it as a self-declared sticker. We cover this in more detail in our article on the value of UKAS management-system certification.
How this fits with LOLER and PUWER
Conformity marking answers the question “was this made correctly?”. Two further sets of regulations govern what happens once the equipment is in service:
- LOLER 1998 (the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) applies where a stillage is designed to be lifted with a load, covering thorough examination and safe lifting. See our stillages and LOLER compliance guide.
- PUWER 1998 (the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) applies to all work equipment, covering suitability, maintenance and safe use. See our PUWER and stillages practical guide.
Certified manufacture plus in-service compliance is what keeps handling equipment safe across its whole life. For the practical side of storing and stacking stillages safely, our stability and safe-stacking guide is a useful companion.
What this means for your procurement
If you are specifying handling equipment for a regulated or safety-critical environment, look for a manufacturer that can demonstrate certified welding management, qualified welders, documented inspection and, where required, conformity marking against the appropriate standards. That combination is why Lowe supplies into high-assurance sectors — including nuclear, marine, automotive and power — where compliance evidence is non-negotiable.
Whether you need a standard design or a bespoke fabrication, our engineered steel stillages are designed and built to the relevant standards from the outset, so the paperwork and the product agree. If you are still scoping requirements, our buyer’s and design guide walks through the decisions that affect compliance, cost and lead time.
Talk to us about certified handling equipment
If you have questions about CE and UKCA accreditation, welding certification or how the NSSS applies to your project, our engineering team is happy to help. Request a quote for your specific requirement, or contact Lowe Stillages & Cages to discuss your compliance needs with the people who build the product.