ABOUT EWF
The European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF) manages a harmonized system for training qualification and certification of welding personnel. It is also responsible for the Certification System of companies using welding, in Quality, Environment, Health and Safety. It was founded in 1992 and has nowadays 31 European member countries, represented by their national welding societies. EWF has been involved in the following activities:
Training and Qualification for Welding Personnel EWF, along with the relevant national welding organizations of 31 European countries, has developed a harmonised system for education and training in the field of welding technology. It was a pioneer organization developing the first truly harmonized scheme embracing all the European countries for the training of personnel at all levels, from crafts people to professional engineers. The EWF personnel qualification system has been adopted by IIW as an International qualification system since 2000. The importance of this system has been recognised by ISO and CEN, as an example the EWF/IIW guidelines are mentioned on the EN ISO 14731 – Welding Coordination, tasks and responsibilities.
Certification of Welding Personnel The EWF System for Personnel Certification exists since 1998 and it was adopted by IIW in 2007 and is , currently, recognized worldwide. This System allows Welding Coordinators to be certified according to the requirement of ISO 14731.
Certification of Companies EWF created an Integrated Manufacturers Certification System. This integrated system complies with ISO 3834 – Welding Quality requirements (that is in place since 1998) ISO 14001 - Environment and also Health and Safety (these two systems are in place since 2000). Currently the Manufacturers Certification System has been adopted by IIW and it is used internationally, only covering the Quality field.
Projects EWF has been involved and is currently involved in the preparation, participation and management of vocational, educational, training and RTD projects has a way of driving forward the welding and joining community.