2008 -289   1 de 7 RESOLUTION No. 001 -2008  
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ECUADORIAN STANDARDISATION INSTITUTE  
CONSIDERING : 
 
Whereas, in accordance with the provisions in section 7 of article 23 of the Political Constitution of the Republic of 
Ecuador, the State has the duty  of guaranteeing the right to have public and private goods and services of high quality; to 
choose them freely and to receive adequate and truthful information on their contents and features . 
 
Whereas, the Protocol for the Republic of Ecuador’s Adhesion t o the Agreement by which the World Trade Organization 
(WTO) was established was published in a Supplement to Registro Oficial  (Official Journal) No. 853 of 2 January 1996 .  
 
Whereas, article 2 of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) estab lishes provisions for the 
preparation, adoption and application of Technical Regulations by central government bodies and for their reporting to 
the other Members . 
 
Whereas, the Decisions and Recommendations adopted by the WTO’s Committee on Technical Barr iers to Trade must 
be taken into account.  
 
Whereas, Appendix III of the TBT Agreement established a Code of Good Conduct for the preparation, adoption and 
application of standards.  
 
Whereas, Andean Community Commission Decision 376 of 1995 created the “A ndean System of Standardisation, 
Accreditation, Testing, Certification, Technical Regulations and Metrology", amended by Decision 419 of 31 July 1997.  
 
Whereas, Andean Community Commission Decision 562 of June 2003 established "Directives for the preparat ion, 
adoption and application of Technical Regulations at the community level in the Member Countries of the Andean 
Community."  
 
Whereas, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Industrialisation, Fishing and Competitiveness, through the MNAC (Ecuadorian 
Quality Sy stem) Council, by means of Resolution No. MNAC -0003 of 10 December 2002, published in Official Journal 
No. 739 of 7 January 2003, established procedures for the preparation, adoption and application of Ecuadorian Technical 
Regulations.  
 
Whereas, Law No. 2 007-76 published in a Supplement to Official Journal No. 26 of Thursday, 22 February 2007 
established the Ecuadorian Quality System, that has the objective of establishing a legal framework for the purposes of : 
 
I) Regulating the principles, policies and enti ties related to the activities involved in the assessment of conformity 
that facilitate the fulfilment of the international commitments in this area ; 
 
II) Guaranteeing the fulfilment of citizens’ rights related to safety and the protection of human, animal and  
vegetable health and life, preservation of the environment, consumer protection against deceptive practices and 
the correction and punishment of such practices . 
 
Whereas, it is necessary to guarantee that the information provided to consumers is clear, co ncise, truthful, verifiable and 
does not mislead the consumer . 
 
Whereas, the Ecuadorian Standardisation Institute (INEN), in compliance with Government provisions and following the 
regulatory proceeding established in article 29 of Law  2008 -289   2 de 7  2007 -76 of the Ecu adorian Quality System, has formulated the present Ecuadorian Technical Regulation . “Cold -
formed structural steel sections and hot -rolled structural steel sections”.  
 
Whereas, in conformity with article 2, section 2.9 in the WTO Agreement on Technical Barr iers to Trade, and article 11 
of Andean Community Commission (CAN) Decision 562, on 5 -10-2007, this regulation was reported to the WTO and 
the CAN, thereby complying with the terms pre -established for such purpose . 
 
Whereas , the INEN Board of Directors, in  its meeting held 16 and 22 February, and 5 March 2008, respectively, were 
aware of and approved such Regulation ; 
 
Whereas, by decision of the INEN Board of Directors , the Chairman of the Board of Directors must proceed to its  
MANDATORY  official recognitio n by means of its publication in the Official Journal; and , 
 
In exercise of the powers granted by Law it is hereby . 
 
RESOLVED : 
 
ARTICLE  1.- To promulgate the following  Ecuadorian Technical Regulation Equador Technical Regulation RTE 
INEN 018 “Cold -formed s tructural steel sections and hot -rolled structural steel sections ” as MANDATORY, 
whether of domestic or imported manufacture, that are offered for sale in the Republic of Ecuador : 
 
1. OBJECT  
 
1.1 This regulation establishes the technical requirements to be  met by the products referred to in section 2, for the 
purpose of assuring safety nationwide and protecting life, the environment and geographic conditions, as well as to 
prevent practices that mislead or cause harm to end users from being carried out . 
 
2. SCOPE OF APPLICATION  
 
2.1 These regulations apply to the following types of structural steel profiles, whether of domestic or imported 
manufacture, that are offered for sale in the Republic of Ecuador : 
 
2.1.1 Cold -formed angles, shapes and sections ; 
 
2.1.2 Hot-rolled  angles, shapes and sections . 
 
2.2 These products are included in the following tariff classifications : 
 
CLASSIFICATION  DESCRIPTION  
  
72.16  Unflanged iron or steel sections  
7216.10.00  - U-, I- or H -sections, simply hot -rolled or extruded, less than 80 m m high  
- L- or T-sections, simply hot -rolled or extruded, less than 80 mm high:  
7216.21.00  -- L-sections  
7216.22.00  -- T-sections  
- U-, I- or H -sections, simply hot -rolled or extruded, less than 80 mm high : 2008 -289   3 de 7  
7216.31.00  -- U-sections  
7216.32.00  -- I-sections  
7216.33.00  -- H-sections  
7216.40.00  - L- or T-sections, simply hot -rolled or extruded, 80 mm high or more  
7216.50.00  - Other sections, simply hot -rolled or extruded  
- Sections simply cold -produced or finished:  
7216.61.00  -- Produced from flat ro lled products  
7216.69.00  -- Others  
- Others:  
7216.91.00  -- Cold -produced or finished from flat rolled product s 
7216.99.00  -- Others  
 
3. DEFINITIONS  
 
3.1 The definitions established in NTE INEN 1 623, 2 215, 2 222, 2 228, 2 229, 2 230, 2 231, 2 232, 2 2 33, 2 234 and 
those indicated  below shall be considered for purposes of applying these regulations : 
 
3.1.1 Deregulation.  An administrative act that changes the nature of a standard from mandatory to voluntary; it may 
also refer to the repeal of an Ecuadorian Te chnical Regulation or a procedure for conformity assessment . 
 
3.1.2 Direct inspection.  A method for assessing a product’s conformity to the requirements of a technical standard or an 
Ecuadorian Technical Regulation . 
 
3.1.3 Rolling . A p rocess for plastic deformation o f steel . 
 
3.1.4 Supplier. All individuals or legal entities, whether public or private, that perform the activities of production, 
manufacture, import, construction, distribution, leasing or sale of goods, as well as providing services to consumers, for 
which th ey receives a price or fee. This definition includes those who acquire goods or services to bundle them into 
production or refining processes, as well as to those who provide public services by delegation or concession . 
 
3.1.5 End user.  Individual or legal enti ty that uses the structural profiles in the final phase of their use . 
 
4. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS  
 
4.1 These products are classified according to the specifications in section 5 of NTE INEN 1 623 and section 4 of NTE 
INEN 2 215, respectively . 
 
4.2 The supplie r is required to provide the (end) user with the required technical and safety information related to the 
products requested . 
 
5. PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS  
 
5.1 Cold -formed  structural angles, shapes and sections  
 
5.1.1  These must meet the requirements establish ed in sections 6.1 Dimensional Requirements, 6.2 Mechanical 
Requirements and 6.3 Chemical Requirements of NTE INEN 1623  2008 -289   4 de 7  in effect . 
 
5.2 Hot-rolled angles, shapes and sections  
 
5.2.1  These must meet the requirements established in sections 5.1.1 Process,  5.1.2 State of supply, 5.1.3 Chemical 
Requirements, 5.1.4 Mechanical Requirements and 5.1.5 Supplementary Requirements of 2215 NTE INEN in effect . 
 
5.2.2  Tolerances as far as dimensional features must meet the specifications in the tables corresponding to  each 
type of profile established in NTE INEN 2 222, 2 228, 2 229, 2 230, 2 231, 2 232, 2 233 and 2 234, respectively . 
 
6. LABELLING REQUIREMENTS  
 
6.1 The content of labels appearing with the product and on its packaging must indicate clearly the informati on 
set forth in section 8 of NTE INEN 1 623 in effect  and 7 of NTE INEN 2 215  in effect . 
 
7. SAMPLING  
 
7.1 The Sampling Plans set forth in the sections corresponding to "inspection", (6 of NTE INEN 2 215  in effect 
and 7 of NTE INEN 1 623 in effect , respe ctively) must be applied i n order to verify compliance with these 
regulations . 
 
8. TESTING TO ASSESS CONFORMITY  
 
8.1 Cold -formed  structural angles, shapes and sections  
 
8.1.1  For the purpose of verifying compliance with  the dimensional requirements establi shed in NTE INEN 1 623  
and the mechanical and chemical requirements established in ASTM Standard A1011/A 1011M  – 04a, the following 
testing must be conducted : 
 
DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS  NTE INEN 1 623  
Nominal length  6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3  
Nominal thickness  6.1.4, 6.1.5  
Mass  6.1.6  
Height values  6.1.7  
Width and flange measurements  6.1.8  
Internal radius  6.1.9  
Web curvature  6.1.10  
Flange parallelism  6.1.11  
Face perpendicularity  6.1.12  
Vertical and lateral deflection  6.1.13, 6.1.14  
Longitudinal twist  6.1.15 
L-section sectional dimensions and properties  6.1.18, 6.1.19, 6.1.20  
C-section sectional dimensions and properties  6.1.21  
G-section sectional dimensions and properties  6.1.22, 6.1.23  
Omega -section sectional dimensions and properties  6.1.2.4, 6.1.2 5 
MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS  Standard ASTM A1011/A 1011M – 04a 
Mechanical properties (creep, elongation, torsional strength limit ) Table 3, Table 4  
CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS  Standard ASTM A1011/A 1011/M – 04a 2008 -289   5 de 7  
Chemical Composition: Carbon (C), Manganese (Mn) , Phosphorus (P), 
Sulphur (S), Aluminium (Al), Silicon (Si), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), 
Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo), Vanadium (Va), Cobalt (Cb), Titanium 
(Ti), Nitrogen (N)  Table 1, Table 2  
 
8.2 Hot-rolled steel profiles  
 
8.2.1  In order to verify compli ance with the requirements stipulated in NTE INEN 2 215, the following tests should 
be conducted:  
 
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS  NTE INEN 2215  
Process  5.1.1  
State of supply  5.1.2  
Chemical requirements: Composition: Carbon (C), Phosphorus (F), Sulphur 
(S), Manga nese (Mn), Silicon (Si)  5.1.3 (Table 1)  
Mechanical requirements: upper creep stress, tensile stress, percentage 
elongation after fracture and impact  5.1.4 (NTE INEN 109, 121 y 130)  
Dimensional characteristics  5.1.5.5 (NTE INEN 2 222, 2 228, 2 229, 2 230,  2 
231, 2 232, 2 233 y 2 234)  
 
9. REFERENCE STANDARDS TO BE CONSULTED  
NTE INEN 109 Tensile test for steel.  
 
NTE INEN 121 Tensile test for steel sheets 0.5 mm - 3 mm thick.  
 
NTE INEN 130 Charpy impact test for steel (U -notch).  
 
NTE INEN 1 623 Steels. Cold -formed structural sectios. Requirements and Inspection.  
 
NTE INEN 2 215 Hot-rolled steel sections. Requirements.  
 
NTE INEN 2 222 Square and round bars and hot -rolled steel plates. Requirements . 
 
NTE INEN 2 228 Hot-rolled H -section structural steel sections . Requirements. (Series IPBv).  
 
NTE INEN 2 229 Hot-rolled C -section structural steel sections . Requirements.  
 
NTE INEN 2 230 Hot-rolled I -section structural steel sections . Requirements. (Serie IPE).  
 
NTE INEN 2 231 Hot-rolled H -section structural steel se ctions . Requirements. (Series IPN).  
 
NTE INEN 2 232 Hot-rolled H -section structural steel sections. Requirements. (Series IPBI).  
 
NTE INEN 2 233 Hot-rolled H -section structural steel sections . Requirements. (Series IPN).  
 
NTE INEN 2 234 Hot-rolled T -sectio n structural steel sections . Requirements.  
 
Standard ASTM A1011/A 1011 M – 04ª Standard specification for steel, sheet and strip, hot -rolled, carbon, 
structural, high -strength low -alloy, high - strength low -alloy with improved formability, and ultra -high st rength  2008 -289   6 de 7  
10. PROOF  OF CONFORMITY TO CURRENT ECUADORIAN TECHNICAL  REGULATIONS   
 
10.1 The products referred to in these Ecuadorian Technical Regulations must meet the provisions in this document 
and all other provisions established in other laws and regulations in effect applicable to these products . 
 
10.2 Conformity with the present Ecuadorian Technical Regulations must be proven by means of presenting a 
certificate of conformance issued by a body accredited or designated in Ecuador, or by those that are issued under  
mutual recognition agreements in effect with this country . 
 
11. BODIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF CONFORMITY  
 
11.1 The assessment and certification of conformity demanded in the present Ecuadorian Technical Regulations 
must be made by duly accredited or designated entities, in accordance with the provisions in Law 2007 -76 of the 
Ecuadorian Quality System . 
 
11.2 In the event that there are no laboratories in Ecuador accredited for such purpose, the certifying body will use, 
while retaining fu ll responsibility, data from a laboratory designated by CONCAL or recognised by the certifying 
body . 
 
11.3 For products that are set forth in the list of goods subject to control as indicated in Executive Decree 1526, the 
dealers must present Form  INEN 1.  
 
12. ENFORCEMENT AND SUPERVISORY  AUTHORITY  
 
12.1 The Ecuadorian Standardisation Institute (INEN) is the authority competent to carry out the tasks of monitoring 
and enforcement of compliance with the requirements of the present Ecuadorian Technical Regulations in effect in 
accordance with the provisions in the Organic Consumer Defence Law, its regulations and other laws . 
 
13. TYPE OF ENFORCEMENT AND/OR SUPERVISION  
 
13.1 The enforcement and supervision  of compliance with the present Ecuadorian Technical Regulatio ns shall be 
carried out by the INEN in the business premises for sale or distribution of such artefacts, without prior notice . 
 
14. PENALTIES  
 
14.1 Those product suppliers that fail to fulfil the provisions in these Ecuadorian Technical Regulations shall b e 
subject to the penalties indicated  in the Law of the Ecuadorian Quality System (Law No. 2007 -76) and other laws in 
effect, according to the risk implied for users and the severity of the non -fulfilment . 2008 -289   7 de 7  
15. RESPONSIBILITY OF BODIES FOR ASSESSMENT OF CO NFORMITY  
 
15.1 The certification bodies, laboratories or other entities that have issued erroneous certificates of conformance or 
laboratory reports, or that have deliberately altered the data from laboratory tests or certificates, shall bear administrativ e, 
civil, criminal and/ or fiscal responsibility in accordance with the provisions in the Law of the Ecuadorian Quality 
System (Law No. 2007 -76) and other laws in effect . 
 
16. REVIEW and UPDATING  
 
16.1 For the purpose of maintaining the provisions of these  Ecuadorian Technical Regulations updated, the Ecuadorian 
Standardisation Institute (INEN), within a term no greater than five (5) years reckoned from the date of their entry into 
effect, shall review them in order to incorporate additional technological a dvances or safety requirements for the 
protection of health, life and the environment, in accordance with the provisions in the Law of the Ecuadorian Quality 
System (Law No. 2007 -76). 
 
ARTICLE  2 These Ecuadorian Technical Regulations shall go into effect u pon the expiry of one hundred and eighty 
calendar days from the date of their publication in the Official Journal . 
 
ARTICLE  3 The following mandatory Ecuadorian Technical Standards (NTE INEN) in effect, as referred to in the 
present Regulations, shall be d eregulated from a mandatory to a voluntary nature once these Regulations go into effect : 
 
NTE INEN 1 623 Steels. Cold -formed structural sections. Requirements and Inspection  
 
NTE INEN 2 215 Hot-rolled steel sections. Requirements.  
 
NTE INEN 2 222 Square an d round bars and hot -rolled steel plates. Requirements . 
 
NTE INEN 2 228 Hot-rolled H -section structural steel sections. Requirements. (Series IPBv).  
 
NTE INEN 2 229 Hot-rolled C -section structural steel sections . Requirements.  
 
NTE INEN 2 230 Hot-rolled I -section structural steel sections . Requirements. (Series IPE).  
 
NTE INEN 2 231 Hot-rolled I -section structural steel sections . Requirements. (Series IPN).)  
 
NTE INEN 2 232 Hot-rolled H -section structural steel sections. Requirements. (Series IPBI).)  
 
NTE I NEN 2 233 Hot-rolled H -section structural steel sections . Requirements. (Series IPN).  
 
NTE INEN 2 234 Hot-rolled T -section structural steel sections . Requirements.  
 
LET IT BE KNOWN AND PUBLISHED in the Official Journal .  
 
Promulgated in  Quito, Metropolitan  District , 
 
 
 
Eng. Marco Peñaherrera  Felipe Urresta  
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  Civil  Eng., M. Sc.  
SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS