Important Changes in CSA Standard W47.1:25
An overview of the changes in the 8th edition of the CSA W47.1 standard. The goal of every edition is to address new technologies and improvements.
Summary of Changes
The CSA published the latest edition of CSA Standard W47.1-25 at the end May 2025, French version is scheduled to be published early 2026. In order to support the welding industry, the CWB has implemented a transition plan for the new edition, which is explained in detail on the FAQ document published below.
An overview of the changes in the 8th edition of the CSA W47.1 standard are listed below:
| Clause | Requirement | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scope | Scope remains unchanged. |
| 2 | Reference Publications | General updates to reflect the latest edition of the standard. |
| 3 | Definitions | New definitions for robotic welding, robotic welding operator, & robotic welding programmer. |
| 4 | Administration | No changes. CWB continues to be the sole Administrator of this certification program. |
| 5 | Requirements for Certification | No changes. |
| 6 | Welding Engineers | No changes. |
| 7 | Welding Supervisors | No changes. |
| 8 | Welding Personnel |
8.1.3 The company shall use only robotic welding programmers qualified in accordance with this Standard for the robotic applications performed, under the scope of the company’s certification. The company shall be responsible for determining the competence requirements for robotic welding operators. 8.3.5.1 The company shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of CWB that the program is supplied by a third-party company and meets the company’s WPSs and WPDSs. 8.3.5.4 Testing performed on Figure 35 (revised) will generate a “FW classification”, will be transferable and shall remain in effect for 2 years. 8.3.5.6 Testing performed on Alternates will be non-transferable and shall remain in effect indefinitely. |
| 9 | Qualification of Welding Personnel |
No test is required for robotic welding operators (RO). 9.15.1.2 No test is required for robotic welding programmer when the program is supplied by the third-party company. 9.15.4.1 The highest class qualified also qualifies for lower classes. For example: a vertical class qualification qualifies for flat, horizontal and vertical. |
| 10 | Welding Procedure Specifications | No changes. |
| Welding Procedure Data Sheets | No changes. | |
| Tables | - | J4 & J6 – editorial changes. |
| Figures |
Figure 8 - allows a root opening of 8 mm for Option 1 for GTAW process for 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G positions. Figure 35 - enhanced to specify only FW, correct values for welds and assembly parts and added an isometric projection of the test assembly. Figure K.4 - has been revised to allow a root opening of 8 mm for Option 1 for GTAW process for 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G positions. |
|
| Annex A | No changes | |
| Annex B | No changes | |
| Annex C | No changes | |
| Annex D | No changes | |
| Annex E |
E.2.3 Qualification range revised to specify 2 different sets of thickness ranges with a braking point at 16mm. E.2.5 Specifies that other materials equivalent to those listed in this annex should be considered equivalent and do not require additional testing for supplementary CVN testing. Table E.1 CVN test values for subsize specimens and temperature reduction has been revised to bring it in line with AWS D1.1 and CSA G40.20/21 values. No other changes to qualification testing of welding procedures when supplementary impact toughness testing is required. |
|
| Annex F | No changes | |
| Annex G |
G.3.1 Hardness testing for fillet welds must be performed on Figure 23 without any additional requirements. No other changes to qualification testing of welding procedures when supplementary hardness is required. |
|
| Annex H | No changes | |
| Annex I | No changes | |
| Annex J |
J.2 The scope has been improved to specify that this annex applies for “the fusion welding of sheet steel to sheet steel and tubular members with thickness less than 3 mm, and sheet steel to supporting steel with thickness as permitted in Figure J.9. Many editorials discovered in the text, figures and tables have been fixed. Some drawings have been improved. Table J.4 and J.6 have been fixed to reference the correct figures and specify the correct thickness ranges for qualification of personnel and procedures. Overall, the intent of qualification of welding personnel and procedures required by this annex has not changed. |
|
| Annex K |
Clause K.6.8.4 has been revised to state the range of qualification for FW. Fillet weld tests qualification performed on the standard test assembly shall qualify for all sizes of fillets and all thicknesses. Many editorials discovered in the text, figures and tables have been fixed. Overall, the intent of qualification of welding personnel and procedures required by this annex has not changed. |
|
| Annex L | No changes | |
| Annex M |
Figures M.1 & M2 allow a root opening tolerance of 0 – 2mm for Option 2 (G plates). Overall, the intent of qualification of welding personnel and procedures required by this annex has not changed. |
CSA Standard W47.1:25 Important Updates
FAQs
All existing or new robotic welding operators (ROs) will require testing in accordance with CSA W47.1:19 edition until February 1, 2026.
Yes. Certification and compliance to CSA W47.1:19 edition stays in effect until February 1, 2026.
The CWB, along with the company's welding supervisor or certification contact will assess if the robotic welding operator can transition into robotic welding programmer and test them accordingly after February 1, 2026.
The existing robotic welding programmer qualifications will stay in effect until the expiry date specified on the card. However, if the company would like to retest the robotic welding programmer to the CSA W47.1:25 edition, the CWB will permit such request.
The main contact is the CSR responsible for your company.
None.
All existing transferable or non-transferable qualifications for robotic welding operators (ROs) will no longer be valid starting February 1, 2026, and no longer considered valid qualifications for the CSA W47.1:25 edition.
The new test that will take in effect February 1, 2026, will require all robotic welding programmers to perform a new test as specified in Figure 35 and will obtain a transferable FW qualification valid for 2 years. Alternatively, companies can develop Alternative testing that will be suitable for their production needs and robotic welding programmers will obtain a non-transferable qualification valid indefinite.
The transition plan will recognize any existing current robotic welding programmer qualification until its expiry date. If a company would like to pursue a new test after February 1, 2026, the CWB will permit such testing, and the robotic welding programmer qualification will have a new expiry date, 2 years from testing date.
The company can select any position for the qualification of robotic welding programmer. A higher class will qualify all lower classes for transferable qualifications only (e.g. a vertical position will qualify for flat, horizontal and vertical position). Non-transferable qualifications will not follow this logic for the welding positions.
No. The changes in CSA Standard W47.1:25 will not result in the need for the “Immediate Re-certification” of any clients currently certified. The CWB will communicate an established transition period to all clients to comply with CSA W47.1:25.
No, the release of the CSA W47.1:25 will have no impact on your annual fees at this time.
There is no requirement for existing clients to purchase the new version of CSA
W47.1:25. Although, all clients are encouraged to do so that they may become familiar with the new requirements of CSA W47.1:25.
No, there is no requirement to resubmit any welding procedure documentation (WPS and WPDS). All currently accepted documentation will continue to be considered accepted.
No, currently accepted Welding Supervisors and Welding Engineers will not be required to rewrite examinations on CSA Standard W47.1:25. However, new examinations will reflect the additional requirements introduced with CSA W47.1:25.
Welding Supervisors and Welding Engineers seeking qualifications will be examined to CSA W47.1:19 or 2025 edition at their choice starting August 1, 2025. Examinations after February 1, 2026, will reflect CSA W47.1:25 edition of the standard.
No, Certified Welding Inspectors will not be required to rewrite examinations on CSA Standard W47.1:25.
However, Welding Inspectors at all levels completing the initial code examination on CSA Standard W47.1 & W59 will be examined to the W47.1 - 2019 or 2025 edition at their choice starting August 1, 2025. Examinations after February 1, 2026, will reflect CSA W47.1:25 edition of the standard.
All Welding Supervisor Courses and Welding Supervisor “Study Guides” for the 2025 edition will be updated starting December 1, 2025.