| Subject area |
The directive covers
pressure equipment and assemblies with a maximum allowable
pressure PS greater than 0.5 bar. Pressure equipment means
vessels, piping, safety accessories and pressure accessories.
Assemblies means several pieces of pressure equipment assembled
to form an integrated, functional whole. |
| Intention of legislation |
To remove
technical barriers to trade by harmonising national laws
of legislation regarding the design, manufacture, marking
and conformity assessment of pressure equipment.
It does
not deal with in-use requirements which may be necessary
to ensure the continued safe use of pressure equipment.
|
| Coverage |
It covers a wide
range of equipment such as, reaction vessels, pressurised
storage containers, heat exchangers, shell and water tube
boilers, industrial pipework, safety devices and pressure
accessories. Such equipment is widely used in the chemical,
petro- chemical, biochemical, food processing, refrigeration
and energy industries and for power generation. |
| Brief history |
The Commission's
proposal was submitted to the Council of Ministers on 15 July
1993 and was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council
on 29 May 1997. It came into force on 29 November 1999 but
compliance with its requirements will be optional until 29
May 2002. |
| Exclusions |
There are some specific
exclusions such as: equipment within the scope of other directives
(e.g. simple pressure vessels, aerosols, parts for the functioning
of vehicles); and equipment covered by the international conventions
for the transport of dangerous goods and equipment for which
the pressure hazards are low and are adequately covered by
other directives (such as the Machinery Directive, Low Voltage
Directive and Medical Devices Directive). |
| Implementation |
The Pressure Equipment
Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/2001) were laid on 19 July 1999
and came into force on 29 November 1999. Guidelines for the
appointment of conformity assessment bodies are available,
quoting reference URN99/1051, from dtipubs@echristian.co.uk
or downloadable from this website in Adobe Acrobat
format. |
| Guidance |
A comprehensive DTI
guidance booklet is available - see Publications
and Downloadable
Documents. |
| European Guidelines
& Further Information. |
Guidelines
on various aspects of the Directive have been agreed between
the Commission, Member States and European Trade Associations.
These guidelines help to ensure consistency of interpretation
across the Community but they do not have legal standing.
These
guidelines, along with details of harmonised product and
material standards, European Approval of Materials and all
European Conformity Assessment Bodies currently notified
are available from the Commission Pressure Equipment Directive
website: ped.eurodyn.com
The CEN
website also provides details of all harmonised standards:
www.newapproach.org/directivelist.asp
|
| Related Regulations |
The Pressure Systems
Safety Regulations will cover in-use requirements and other
aspects not covered by the Pressure Equipment Regulations
and the Health & Safety Executive
should be contacted for further information. |
| Contact |
Mike Dodds,
STRD5, Department of Trade and Industry, Room 327, 151 Buckingham
Palace Road, London SW1W 9SS
Tel : 020 7215 1436
Fax : 020 7215 1970.
|