The Swedish Concrete Competence Qualification System (Class 1 and 2): From European Standards to Practical Certification - an overview
Updated: Sep 25
Operating within the Swedish concrete sector — whether in ready-mix production, precast manufacturing, or site execution — requires strict adherence to national application standards. Beyond material compliance, Swedish standards mandate verified competence levels for personnel across the entire supply and execution chain
From European Frameworks to Swedish Operations
The Swedish concrete qualification system is built on national application standards (SS) and technical specifications (TS) that supplement European core standards (CEN) for the Swedish market.
In Sweden, qualification classes use specific letter codes to designate the domain of work:
U = Utförande (Execution / Site-Cast Concrete)
T = Tillverkning (Manufacturing / Ready-Mix Concrete)
E = Element (Precast Concrete)
The Connection Between EU Standards and Swedish Application Standards
EN 13670 ➔ SS 137006:2026 ➔ SIS/TS 46:2026 (Execution / Site-Cast): The European standard EN 13670 sets the overall framework for the execution of concrete structures across Europe. In Sweden, this is applied via SS 137006:2026, which supplements the European standard with national rules for climate, quality assurance, and personnel competence. SS 137006 directly references TS 46:2026 as the mandated training framework for Concrete Class 1 U and Concrete Class 2 U (Utförande / Execution).
EN 13369 ➔ SS 137005:2025 ➔ SIS/TS 32:2026 (Precast Concrete): The European core rules for precast products (EN 13369) connect to the Swedish application standard SS 137005:2025 for precast manufacturing, referencing TS 32:2026 for Concrete Class 1 E and Class 2 E (Element / Precast).
EN 206 ➔ SS 137003:2021+T2:2025 ➔ SIS/TS 42:2024 (Ready-Mix Concrete): The European concrete standard EN 206 connects to the Swedish application standard SS 137003:2021+T2:2025 for ready-mix production, referencing TS 42:2024 for Concrete Class 1 T and Class 2 T (Tillverkning / Ready-Mix Manufacturing).
Certification Scheme SIS/TS 43:2026: To ensure training providers maintain compliance across all three pillars (TS 42 for T, TS 32 for E, TS 46 for U), they are audited by independent third-party certification bodies (such as NORDCERT) according to the overarching certification scheme TS 43:2026.
Enforcing Requirements Across Manufacturing and Site Execution - Concrete certification
Qualification requirements in Sweden govern the entire concrete supply and execution chain — covering both continuous factory manufacturing (ready-mix and precast) and project-specific site execution. Requirements become contractually binding through two primary routes:
Direct Reference in Procurement Documents: The client or main contractor specifies compliance with SS 137003(ready-mix) and SS 137005 (precast) directly in their purchasing documentation. Because these standards mandate strict factory production control, this reference contractually ensures that materials are sourced from certified plants employing qualified personnel.
Reference via AMA (AMA Hus / AMA Anläggning): The standard Swedish specification framework used in construction contracts. For site-cast operations, AMA mandates compliance with SS 137006, making personal certification under SIS/TS 46 (Class 1 U / Class 2 U) contractually binding for site managers and supervisors.
Key Takeaway for International Suppliers & Contractors
For Manufacturing (Ready-Mix & Precast): Third-party bodies such as Nordcert certify the manufacturing plants/factories themselves. To obtain and maintain this plant certification under SS 137003 or SS 137005, Nordcert requires factories to employ personnel qualified through training aligned with TS 42:2024 (Class 1 T & 2 T) or TS 32:2026 (Class 1 E & 2 E).
For On-Site Execution: Contractors performing site-cast operations must ensure their site supervisors and managers hold personal certifications under TS 46:2026 (Class 1 U & 2 U). Operating without valid certificates exposes contractors to work stoppages & failed site inspections.
Third-Party Verification and On-Site Requirements
Dual Role of Certification Bodies: Independent bodies (such as Nordcert) operate on two distinct levels within the Swedish qualification ecosystem:
Plant & Factory Certification: Auditing and certifying production facilities for ready-mix (SS 137003) and precast (SS 137005), enforcing requirements that plant staff hold valid TS 42 or TS 32 qualifications.
Training Provider Certification (SIS/TS 43:2026): Auditing and certifying training providers (such as Blendify Learning) against TS 43:2026 to ensure courses delivered across all domains (TS 46, TS 42, and TS 32) meet Swedish national standards.
Physical On-Site Presence Required for Execution (U): Under SS 137006:2026 (Annex J), certified Class 1 U or Class 2 U personnel cannot merely "supervise" off-site. The standard explicitly requires physical presence on-site during operations to Lead + Participate + monitor.
Maintaining Qualifications (AKU): TS 46:2026 introduces the ability to maintain certificates over time through the Annual Knowledge Update (AKU), eliminating the need to retake full foundational courses.
Blendify Learning: Driving Qualification Standards in Sweden and Europe
Fulfilling the requirements of EN 13670, SS 137006, and TS 46 does not have to mean project delays, language barriers, or sending workers to static, week-long classroom courses in Swedish.Blendify Learning is an active contributor to shaping concrete qualification standards domestically and internationally:
Swedish Standardization (SIS): Since 2020, Blendify Learning has been an active member of SIS Technical Committees TK 190 (Concrete) and TK 191 (Execution of Concrete Structures).
European Standardization (CEN): We are also engaged on a European level through our involvement in CEN/TC 104 (Concrete and related products).
First in Sweden with TS 46:2026 Certification by NORDCERT. Blendify Learning was the very first training company in Sweden to be certified by NORDCERT against TS 46:2026 (via certification scheme TS 43:2026). This guarantees 100% compliance for your projects operating under SS 137006 or AMA specifications.
How It Works: Tailored for International PersonnelWe offer accessible certification courses across site execution (Class 1 U & Class 2 U), as well as Class 2 E(Precast) and Class 2 T (Ready-Mix):
Feature | How Blendify Learning Solves It |
🌐 Multilingual Support in 20 Languages | Integrated language support for 20 languages. Participants study the material in their native language, removing language barriers and improving safety comprehension. |
📝 Examinations in English & Polish | Formal validation and exams are offered in English (and in Polish upon request) to ensure a clear, legally secure, and accessible certification process. |
📅 Monthly Exam Opportunities | No waiting months for examination dates. We host monthly exam sessions throughout the access period for seamless project scheduling. |
⏱️ 8–12 Month Access & Automatic Updates | Participants receive 8–12 months of platform access. Standard updates or new platform features released during this period are automatically added to the account. |
📚 Literature Included | No need to source Swedish textbooks. Both the comprehensive Concrete Handbooks and the Formwork Manual are fully integrated digitally. |
👨🏫 Expert Support & Potential Live Events | Direct access to Swedish concrete subject matter experts via the platform. |
Summary for International Operations
Partnering with Blendify Learning provides a certified ally that masters the entire chain — from European frameworks in CEN/TC 104 (EN 13670) to practical compliance on Swedish construction sites via SS 137006 and TS 46.
Through our blended learning model — combining interactive online learning with expert support — you secure your workforce’s Class 1 U and Class 2 U concrete certifications with minimal downtime and 100% guaranteed compliance.
Note: Fully localized English course versions for Cast-in-place Class 1 U and Class 2 U will be available in October 2026.
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