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Baustoffüberwachung BÜW

Certification of reinforcing steel according to DIN 488 in Germany

The BÜW Institution for Expert Judgement and Control of Construction Materials GmbH has over 40 years of experience in the certification, monitoring, and testing of reinforcing steel according to DIN 488.

Institute for Certifying reinforcing steel officially approved by the General Construction Supervising Authority

Red-hot reinforcing steel being wound into a coil

Certification according to DIN 488

The certification and proof of conformity of reinforcing steel in Germany are strictly governed by the national DIN 488 series of standards. As there is still no harmonised European product standard for reinforcement steel, the approval and surveillance procedure remains in national hands. It is closely linked to the requirements of Eurocode 2 (DIN EN 1992-1-1).

We certify reinforcing steel bars, reinforcing steel in coils, lattice girders, welded fabric and reinforcing wire.

Reinforcing steel in coils in the warehouse

The DIN 488 series of standards

DIN 488-1
Steel grades, properties and marking (e.g. definition of the common grades B500A and B500B)
DIN 488-2
Requirements for reinforcing steel bars (dimensions, mechanical values)
DIN 488-3
Requirements for reinforcing steel in coils and reinforcing wire
DIN 488-4
Requirements for welded fabric
DIN 488-5
Requirements for lattice girders
DIN 488-6
Proof of conformity, quality assurance and production surveillance. This part is the core for test engineers and certification bodies.

The certification procedure according to DIN 488-6

In order to place reinforcing steel on the market and use it in Germany as a construction product with legal certainty, the standard prescribes a two-stage surveillance system:

Factory production control (FPC / self-monitoring)

The manufacturer (steelworks, bending plant or fabric welding plant) must carry out continuous self-monitoring. In detail this means:

  • Regular sampling directly from ongoing production.
  • Performance of destructive tests (above all the tensile test according to ISO 15630-1 to determine yield strength ReH, tensile strength Rm and total elongation at maximum force Agt).
  • Complete statistical evaluation of the test results in accordance with the stricter mathematical requirements of DIN 488-6.
Tensile testing machines in the testing laboratory

Third-party surveillance

The self-monitoring is checked by an officially approved, independent surveillance and certification body.

  • The third-party inspectors take random samples at the plant (or heat records), check the geometry (relative rib area fR) as well as the mechanical and technological properties according to ISO 15630-1.
  • If self-monitoring and third-party surveillance are without objection, the certification body issues the certificate of conformity (Ü mark). Only with this certificate is the reinforcing steel approved for structures in Germany.
Cooling bed in the hall of a reinforcing steel plant
Red-hot reinforcing steel in the rolling mill

Manufacturers abroad

Given our activities in Middle Eastern countries, we are now striving to expand our presence further. We firmly believe that you, as a manufacturer of reinforcing steel products, can benefit from a German certification to ensure the high quality of your products.

Supporting companies in complying with international quality standards is of particular importance to us. Therefore, we not only offer certification services but are also pleased to provide consultation. Our goal is to work with you to optimize the quality of your products and strengthen your market confidence.

Testing in our own laboratory
Tensile test, fatigue test, rib geometry and chemical analysis in Herzogenrath.
Manufacturers abroad
Plant visits worldwide, the samples go to the laboratory in Herzogenrath, the certificate opens the German market.
Certification
In the event of conformity with DIN 488 we issue the certificate, the basis for the marking of your deliveries.

Questions about certification?

We invite you to contact us without any formalities if you need further information or are interested in our services. It would be an honor for us to accompany you on your path to success.