The Directive applies to the design and manufacture but NOT operation of both individual items and assemblies of pressure equipment with a maximum allowable pressure greater than 0.5 bar (gauge).
Any proudct that contains such a pressure falls within the scope. In addition, Safety Accessories that may not contain the pressure fall within the scope. An example of a safety accessory is a pressure or temperature switch if it is being used as a safety control in pressure equipment.
There are a large number of exclusions which mostly refer to equipment already regulated in other directives such as pressured containers used to transport fluids. Products conforming to the EU Simple Pressure Vessel Directive are also excluded from PED.
Products are either in scope and must be CE marked or they are outside the scope and may not be CE marked. There is no legal means whereby an excluded product can be CE marked. HPiVS will confirm, on application, if your product is excluded.
The detailed technical characteristics of the design, materials, production and testing are not laid down in the Directive but in standards. Standards have been especially written to put flesh on the directive's bones. These standards, which must be adopted by all member states, are known as harmonised standards.
Conformity with harmonised standards "guarantees" conformity with the directive. Their application, however, is not mandatory. If harmonised standards are not suited to a specific product, any alternative standard or solution may be applied if it can be shown to carry equivalent safety. It is, however, difficult to demonstrate equivalent safety. HPiVS can advise on alternative methods.
The Directive has a full range of Conformity Assessment Modules that define what documentation needs to be compiled and to what extent a Notified Body should be involved. The choice of modules is limited depending upon the risk of the product (see the Briefing panel tot he right). HPiVS will advise on the options upon application.
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Pressure Equipment Directive
97/23/EC
29/11/1999
Pressure equipment with a maximum allowable pressure greater than 0.5 bar (gauge).
Two fluid groups -dangerous and non-dangerous.
4 categories depending upon fluid group & stored energy, (measured as pressure x volume). Category I is low, IV is high.
1 category for low risk products that are above 0.5 bar but below category I which must do no more than conform to Sound Engineering Practice and which may not be CE marked.