Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC
The Pressure Equipment Directive is a European Single Market Directive that covers pressure equipment and assemblies with a maximum allowable pressure PS greater than 0.5 bar
Brief history
The Directive was adopted on 29 May 1997 and came into force on 29 November 1999
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 enable the free trading of products within the EEA by removing the need for separate documentation and testing for each individual European market. Manufacturers may use a single CE mark on their products to show compliance with this (and any other relevant) Directive.
The Directive does not deal with in-use requirements which may be necessary to ensure the continued safe use of pressure equipment.
Coverage
The Directive 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, petrochemical, biochemical, food processing, refrigeration and energy industries and for power generation.
Implementing Legislation
The Directive has been implemented in the UK by the Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/2001) which came into force on 29 November 1999. The Regulations were amended by SI 2002 No. 1267 which came into force on 30 May 2002.
The Regulations and amendment are available to download from The Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Conformity Assessment Bodies
A list of Conformity Assessment Bodies accredited under PED can be found by following this link to the European Commission's NANDO (New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations) Information System.
The list can be sorted by country or by Conformity Assessment body name by clicking on the column headings. The contact details, accreditation information and information on the Directive modules for which the organisation is notified can be found by clicking on the Conformity Assessment name. Please note that UK based companies are not restricted to using UK Conformity Assessment Bodies.
CAUTION: The Department is aware of cases where organisations claim (or appear to claim) to be notified/conformity assessment bodies authorised to carry out conformity assessment and certification when they actually hold no such appointment. Please see further information in the attached warning note (DOC, 42 Kb) .
Enforcement
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has responsibility for the enforcement of the UK Regulations.
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.
Guidance and further information
A guide to the UK Regulations, and a list of UK Conformity Assessment Bodies appointed by the Secretary of State, are available from the list below.
European guidelines, along with the text of the Directive are available from the European Commission's Pressure Equipment website through the link below.
Contact
All enquiries relating to the information shown on this webpage should be sent to Product Regulation .
Please note that we can generally only offer advice on policy interpretation; if you require complex technical advice, please contact one of the Conformity Assessment Bodies. A list is available above.
