IIW Education, Training & Qualification System

The International System for Education and Qualification of Welding Personnel is based on the harmonised European system for education and qualification of welding personnel, existing for almost 15 years.

This International Education and Qualification System for Welding Personnel is recognised worldwide and supported by industry and by international training and accreditation entities, opening the road towards one Global Education and Qualification System for Welding Personnel.

For more information see:

IIW Certification Systems

IIW Manufacturers Certification System

The International System for the Manufacturers Certification is aimed to comply with the ISO 3834, based on the European System, existing for almost 10 years .

ISO 3834 can boost the manufacturing company’s ability to sell its products in both domestic and overseas markets.
Compliance with ISO 3834 provides a “one-stop-shop” to achieve global recognition of the company’s capability.
Entitled “Quality Requirements for Welding”, the standard provides details of how to control the various welding-related operations to achieve the desired quality consistently.
A key feature of the standard is the requirement to ensure that people with welding responsibilities are competent to discharge those responsibilities. This is achieved by incorporation of another standard: ISO 14731 “Welding Co-ordination – Tasks and responsibilities”.

For more information see:

IIW Personnel Certification System 

The International System for Personnel Certification, allows Welding Co-ordinators to be Certified according to the requirements defined in ISO 14731.

One of the key features in certification of companies according to ISO 3834, it is the approval of welding co-ordinators. The IIW Personnel Certification system is a way to achieve this approval.

For more information see

IIW Education,Training & Qualification  System

In order to administer this system and to develop it, the IIW has established the IAB – International Authorisation Board. This IIW Working Unit aimed at the effective integration of the EWF and IIW systems and its implementation in all IIW countries, publishes Guidelines for training and develops and manages the Quality Assurance system controlling the system. 

IIW – International Institute of Welding and EWF – European Welding Federation, have decided to collaborate in combining the EWF and IIW Systems for Education, Qualification and Authorisation into one System.

In 1997, EWF and IIW signed the first agreement of cooperation towards the development of a single international system for education and qualification of welding personnel, the IIW Training and Qualification System for Welding Personnel. By use of a single Guideline for each level of training, the same qualification may be awarded in any country.

Until the end of 2006, 36 200 IIW diplomas have been awarded worldwide.

In 2006, EWF and IIW agreed on transferring the EWF Companies Certification System according to ISO 3834 and EWF Personnel Certification System for Welding Co-ordinators to IIW. IAB will be the structure within IIW that will develop the system and the rules to implement these IIW Certification Systems.

An organisation recognised by the national IIW member is appointed as the (ANB) Authorised National Body for the supervision of the system in each country. Representatives from these ANBs form the Operational Management within the IAB, and authorised IIW Assessors ensure conformity of each ANB to the agreed Rules.

(see for more details: IAB-308-06 : Guidance to a National Welding Society to become an Authorised National Body - ANB)

The following countries joined the system:

The IAB Technical structure consists of a Management Board - IAB Board and two Technical Units:

             Group A (Education, Training and Qualification)

             Group B (Implementation and Authorisation)

So far, the IAB has published a Rules document, Operating Procedures and Guidelines:

RULES AND IIW GUIDELINES FOR THE EDUCATION, EXAMINATION AND QUALIFICATION OF WELDING PERSONNEL

RULES for the Implementation of IIW Guidelines for the Education, Examination and Qualification of Welding Personnel 

IAB-001-2000

These Rules establish the mechanism by which the Education, Examination and Qualification Guidelines of IIW are implemented, such that all countries involved apply the requirements uniformly, so that the Diplomas granted are mutually recognized.

IIW Guidelines for the Education, Examination and Qualification of Welding Personnel define the minimum requirements for education and training, in terms of objectives, scope, expected results and recommended times and as well the rules for examination and qualification. 

Personnel with responsibility for welding coordination

IAB-252r8-07

IWIP – “International Welding Inspection Personnel” - Revision 3

IAB-041r3-08  

IW – “International Welder” - Revision 3

IAB-089-2002/EWF-452-467-480-481

IWSD -  "International Welded structures designer"

IAB-201r2-06

The IIW Directory of Access Conditions defines for every country the access requirements to the courses based on the IIW Guidelines for Education, Examination and Qualification. This information can be obtained from the Authorised National Body (ANB) .

People interested in obtaining an IIW diploma that are already qualified due to previous education and experience, should contact the Authorised National Body (ANB) in their country for additional information.

To know the latest news about the Education, Training and Qualification System, see:

IAB-BOA-057-06 : IAB Activities 2005

NEWSLETTER – Nr. 15

NEWSLETTER - Nr. 16

NEWSLETTER - Nr. 17

NEWSLETTER - Nr. 18

NEWSLETTER - Nr. 19

NEWSLETTER - Nr. 20

NEWSLETTER - Nr. 21

NEWSLETTER - Nr. 22

NEWSLETTER - Nr. 23

Press Release IAB

 Annual Report 2006

 Annual Report 2007

 

The IAB Secretariat, which is now combined with the EWF Secretariat, is located at ISQ – Instituto de Soldadura e Qualidade, in Portugal.

For further information, please contact: 

See Also EWF Web Site

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