2014/68/EU - Pressure equipment certification for the EU

Purpose and Requirements of Directive 2014/68/EU

The purpose of this Directive is to establish and maintain EU-level requirements ensuring the safe operation of pressure equipment or assemblies supplied to the EU market and to ensure not only a high level of protection of human health and safety, domestic animals or property, but also the proper functioning of the internal market.

The PED Directive establishes mandatory requirements for the design, manufacture, testing, certification, marking and operation of pressure equipment, including vessels, pipelines, valves, pressure regulators and other devices. In addition, requirements for strength, materials used, resistance to corrosion, fire, excessive pressure, etc. are provided. These requirements must be met before such equipment is placed on the EU market.

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Equipment Classification

2014/68/EU classifies pressure equipment into four categories depending on its hazard level and safety requirements, as follows:

1. Category I - equipment with the lowest hazard, operating under pressure up to 0.5 bar, which does not contain hazardous materials and is not used in critical conditions. Such equipment does not require certification.
2. Category II - equipment operating under pressure from 0.5 to 3 bar, or containing hazardous materials. Such equipment requires conformity certification with PED safety requirements.
3. Category III - high-hazard equipment operating under pressure above 3 bar. These may be, for example, boilers and reactors used in hazardous conditions. Equipment in this category also requires conformity certification with PED safety requirements, as well as additional requirements that may vary depending on specific operating conditions.
4. Category IV - equipment that may pose a particular danger to the environment, such as storage and transportation systems for gases, liquefied gases and toxic liquids. Such equipment must comply with special PED safety requirements and additional standards related to environmental protection.

Conformity Assessment Approach

• Self-assessment: the manufacturer can independently assess its equipment production and confirm its compliance with PED requirements. However, this is only possible for low-risk equipment, and the manufacturer must have appropriate knowledge and experience. Risk criteria and equipment category are determined by the PED directive.
• Referral to independent conformity assessment bodies: the manufacturer can contact organizations accredited in accordance with PED requirements to conduct conformity assessment of its equipment production.
• Quality system: the manufacturer can implement a quality management system compliant with ISO 9001 standard, which maximally ensures compliance with PED requirements and allows the manufacturer to independently conduct conformity assessment of its equipment.
• Conformity assessment using modules: PED provides for the use of various conformity assessment modules (types of conformity assessment) that correspond to the equipment's risk level and category. The manufacturer either independently or with the help of an independent certification company can select the appropriate module and conduct conformity assessment of its equipment in accordance with the requirements of this module.

Conformity Assessment Services for Directive 2014/68/EU

• Consulting on matters of confirming compliance with the Directive.
• Certification of quality management systems for material manufacturers in accordance with Directive 2014/68/EU PED requirements.
• Confirmation of measures taken by the manufacturer for materials to comply with required specifications.
• Product conformity assessment with the Directive.
• Preparation and conduct of testing in EU laboratories.
• Technical documentation preparation.
• Declaration of conformity submission.
• Complete certification process support.
• Technical documentation translation.

PED 2014/68/EU in Russia

Using industry knowledge and effective methodology, our conformity assessment engineers will help you prepare for certification, conduct equipment analysis and provide training for your employees and stakeholders as required by PED.

Our team of experts uses an international approach that understands the importance of rapid and effective production assessment with minimal interference in the production process.

Our knowledge and competencies system includes ASME codes (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) for boilers and high-pressure vessels, which means we know the optimal path - how to help manufacturers with conformity confirmation issues for directives worldwide.

Want to learn more about CE marking on pressure equipment? Contact one of our technical experts today.

Declaration of Conformity Procedure

1. Product classification: determining whether the product falls under the Directive and classifying equipment based on established criteria.

2. Economic operator classification: determining the role of the economic operator within the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED).

3. Conducting conformity procedures:

   • Conducting product testing and/or safety assessment based on harmonized European standards. Depending on the degree of risk, all types of equipment according to Annex II of Directive 2014/68/EU are divided into 4 hazard classes. The hazard class depends on volume, maximum pressure and equipment application area.

     Depending on the hazard class, 13 different conformity assessment options are provided, defined in Annex III of Directive 2014/68/EU. Conformity assessment is conducted based on modules provided by European Parliament Decision No. 768/2008/EC of July 9, 2008.

   • Developing procedures to ensure serial production compliance;

   • Ensuring product and economic operator identification elements;

   • Preparing user instructions and safety information;

   • Developing procedures for taking corrective measures.

4. Technical file preparation: compiling technical files (including user manual) based on which product compliance can be assessed.

5. EU Declaration of Conformity preparation: preparing the EU Declaration of Conformity showing that pressure equipment complies with CE legislation.

CE marking: once the product complies with the Pressure Equipment Directive and related harmonized standards, CE marking will be applied.

Declaration of Conformity Issuance and CE (Conformité Européenne) Marking

Following successful completion of the procedure meeting all requirements of Directive 2014/68/EU, the manufacturer has the right to issue a declaration and mark products with the CE (Conformité Européenne) mark. The declaration is stored together with technical documentation for 10 years and must be provided upon request from controlling authorities.

RBI Concept applies CE marking with identifier "1853" of reliable notified body - TUV Rheinland, allowing avoidance of future additional bureaucratic complications related to identification and trust in the structure that conducted EU compliance verification.