Directive 2014/68/EU Pressure equipment
Pressure equipment is widely used in industrial processes and poses an increased risk. Its operation can threaten both human life and health, and technogenic safety. That is why such equipment is subject to increased safety requirements, including in the EU. To bring pressure equipment to the European market, it must comply with the requirements of Directive 2014/68/EU.
About Directive 2014/68/EU
Directive 2014/68/EU of 15 May 2014 lays down the safety requirements for pressure equipment used in the European Union.
The document was adopted to ensure that pressure equipment located in the EU complies with the standards and is safe for human life and health and the environment.
The Directive contains harmonised safety requirements that affect all stages of production and operation. Pressure equipment must be designed, manufactured, inspected and installed in such a way as to ensure its safety during operation.
Compliance with the essential safety requirements is necessary for all market participants: the manufacturer, importer and distributor, who must ensure that the pressure equipment complies with the requirements of the Directive at each stage.
Scope of application 2014/68/EU
This Directive applies to pressure equipment and assemblies with a maximum allowable pressure exceeding 0.5 bar:
- vessels, boilers, tanks, pipelines, safety components, pipeline elements;
- pipes, flanges, supporting structures;
- fittings and couplings;
- pressure-operated assembly units.
Directive 2014/68/EU applies to:
- pipelines for the transport of liquids;
- sewerage networks and pipelines;
- simple pressure vessels covered by Directive 2014/29/EU;
- aerosol cans;
- equipment and units used in transport;
- equipment for monitoring wells for oil and gas production;
- motors and turbines;
- steam engines and turbines, turbogenerators, pumps;
- ships, missiles, aircraft;
- cylinders and vessels with a plastic shell;
- heating radiators;
- and others (see Directive 2014/68/EU).
Requirements of Directive 2014/68/EU
Before pressure equipment is placed on the European market, it is necessary to carry out a procedure for assessing its conformity with safety requirements.
The essential requirements are set out in Annex I to Directive 2014/68/EU, and concern the design, manufacture, inspection, installation and adjustment of pressure equipment, as well as requirements for the materials from which it is made, resistance to fire and corrosion.
Conformity assessment is carried out on the basis of one of 11 modules and their combinations, depending on the characteristics and category of the product. In terms of determining the required assessment module, Directive 2014/68/EU is one of the most complex in harmonised European legislation.
Declaration of Conformity
In case of positive results of the conformity assessment of pressure equipment, the manufacturer must draw up an EU declaration of conformity. The declaration must be kept together with the technical documentation by the manufacturer or his authorized representative for at least 10 years after the product has been placed on the EU market.
Together with the declaration, the manufacturer must ensure that the following is applied: CE marking on equipment operating under pressure.
Technical documentation
In order to demonstrate the conformity of pressure equipment with Directive 2014/68/EU, the manufacturer must draw up technical documentation. It must include an appropriate analysis and assessment of the risks. The technical documentation must set out the applicable requirements and cover the design, manufacture and operation of the pressure equipment.
The technical documentation must include the following:
- description of the pressure equipment;
- drawings and diagrams of components, sub-assemblies, circuits, etc.;
- descriptions and explanations of drawings and diagrams;
- list of harmonised standards or Directives;
- risk assessment documents;
- operating instructions;
- test reports.
Rules and conditions of application CE marking
Pressure vessels that have undergone the conformity assessment procedure must be marked with the CE mark. The marking shall be affixed to each product sample or to its data plate in such a way that it is clearly visible, legible and indelible. The identification number of the notified body involved in the certification shall be indicated below the marking.
In the event that it is not possible to affix the CE marking to the equipment or its components, the marking shall be affixed to the packaging or accompanying documents.
In accordance with the requirements of Directive 2014/68/EU, pressure equipment must additionally bear the following information:
- date of manufacture;
- serial number;
- permissible parameters of use;
- volume;
- pressure;
- voltage consumption;
- area of application;
- weight and dimensions;
- substances used.
Authorized representative. The authorized representative is entitled by the manufacturer to draw up and keep the declaration of conformity and the technical documentation; to provide the information and all necessary documentation to demonstrate the conformity of the product, at the request of the competent national authority; to cooperate with the competent national authorities, at their request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by the pressure equipment.
Our services
Our specialists have many years of experience in the field of certification and issuing European certificates. We have solutions for most of the tasks that arise in the certification process.
Using an individual approach to each client, we will select the best option for you, taking into account the specifics of your enterprise. In order for the procedure for issuing a European certificate to go according to plan and within the desired time frame, our specialists will conduct detailed consultations and provide answers to all questions of interest.
We provide the following certification services:
- consultation on all issues related to product certification;
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- testing of products of any complexity in testing laboratories in Ukraine and Europe;
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- support in auditing your production by auditors of the European certification body;
- preparation of a declaration of conformity;
- full support of the CE certification procedure with the issuance of certificates.
Working with us, you communicate directly with professionals of the European level. This ensures the fastest possible issuance of the certificate, without overpayment for mediation.
The cost of our services is determined individually depending on the specifics of the product, the terms required for issuing the certificate, and the documentation available to the customer.