The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) outlines 13 conformity assessment modules, which can be used to prove that pressure equipment meets essential safety requirements before entering the European market. 

    The PED conformity assessment modules cover procedures ranging from self-assessment checks for lower-risk pressure equipment to comprehensive quality assurance for higher-risk categories.

    PED quality assurance modules focus on auditing and approving the manufacturer’s internal processes for design, manufacturing, inspection, and testing. They are often used by serial manufacturers.

    Which PED module conformity assessment module applies to my pressure vessel or pressure system?

    The choice of module depends on the product’s hazard category.  To identify your product’s hazard category, use our free Pressure Calculator.

     

    All modules except for Module A must be assessed by a Notified Body (NoBo), like HPiVS. Read our guide below to find out more about the different PED modules and what your responsibilities are as a manufacturer for each one.

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    PED conformity assessment modules

    Module A - Internal Production Control

    PED Module A

    With PED Module A, the manufacturer ensures conformity with the PED through its own production controls, without Notified Body involvement in the conformity assessment procedure.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including risk assessment.
    • Ensure manufacturing and production controls meet the applicable PED requirements.
    • Affix the CE marking and draw up the EU Declaration of Conformity.
    • Retain the required documentation for 10 years after placing the equipment on the market.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • No Notified Body involvement is required under Module A.
     

    PED Module A2

    For Module A2, the manufacturer controls production and performs final assessment, supplemented by random checks carried out by a Notified Body.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Prepare and maintain technical documentation.
    • Control manufacturing to ensure conformity with the documentation and PED requirements.
    • Perform final assessment and maintain effective internal inspection controls.
    • Affix the CE marking, draw up the EU Declaration of Conformity and retain the required records for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Conduct unexpected visits to verify the manufacturer’s final assessment.
    • Select samples at random and perform or arrange product checks.
    • Take appropriate measures when non-conformities are identified.
    • Supervise the application of its identification number as required by the module.

    PED Module B

    Module B has two variants: production type and design type.

    With Module B, a Notified Body examines the equipment’s design and verifies that it meets the applicable PED requirements. Module B is combined with another module for assessment of production conformity.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Submit an application and the technical documentation, including risk assessment and supporting evidence.
    • Provide a representative specimen for production-type examination, where applicable.
    • Provide information on materials, joining procedures and personnel qualifications as required.
    • Inform the NoBo of changes that may affect the approved type or design.
    • Retain the certificate and technical documentation for for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Examine the technical documentation and supporting evidence.
    • Assess the design, materials, joining procedures and personnel qualifications within the scope of the module.
    • Carry out the necessary examinations and tests; examine a specimen under production-type examination.
    • Issue an EU-type examination certificate when the applicable requirements are met.
    • Assess relevant changes to the approved type or design.

    PED Module C

    With PED Module C, the manufacturer produces equipment in conformity with an approved EU type, while a Notified Body performs random checks on finished equipment.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Manufacture equipment in conformity with the approved type and applicable PED requirements.
    • Maintain production controls and perform final assessment.
    • Affix the CE marking and issue the EU Declaration of Conformity.
    • Retain the required documentation and records for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Conduct random checks on finished equipment.
    • Verify that the manufacturer performs the required final assessment.
    • Select representative samples and perform or arrange appropriate examinations and tests.
    • Take appropriate action if samples fail to meet the required acceptance level.

    PED Module F

    Under Module F, a Notified Body verifies individual products to establish that they conform to the approved EU type and applicable PED requirements.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Manufacture products in conformity with the approved type.
    • Provide technical documentation and make products available for verification.
    • Ensure production conformity and provide the necessary inspection and test evidence.
    • Affix the CE marking and issue the EU Declaration of Conformity once the applicable requirements are met.
    • Retain the required documentation and records for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Carry out appropriate examinations and tests on individual products, or have them carried out.
    • Verify conformity with the approved type and applicable PED requirements.
    • Issue the relevant product verification documentation when conformity is demonstrated.
    • Apply or supervise the application of its identification number as required by the module.

    PED Module G

    A Notified Body assesses an individual item of pressure equipment against the applicable PED requirements. This module is suitable for individual or one-off equipment.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Prepare technical documentation, including risk assessment and supporting evidence.
    • Ensure manufacturing and production controls meet the applicable PED requirements.
    • Provide access to the equipment, documentation and necessary personnel for verification.
    • Affix the CE marking and issue the EU Declaration of Conformity.
    • Retain the required technical documentation and records for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Examine the technical documentation and manufacturing procedures.
    • Carry out the necessary design examinations, inspections and tests on the individual item.
    • Verify conformity with the applicable PED requirements.
    • Issue a certificate of conformity when the equipment meets the requirements.

    Quality Assurance conformity assessment modules under the Pressure Equipment Directive

    Module D - Conformity to Type Based on Quality Assurance of the Production Process

    PED Module D

    With Module D, the manufacturer operates an approved quality system covering production, final inspection and testing to ensure that equipment conforms to an approved EU type.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Maintain an approved quality system covering production, final inspection and testing.
    • Manufacture equipment in conformity with the approved type and applicable PED requirements.
    • Maintain quality records and inform the NoBo of intended changes to the quality system.
    • Affix the CE marking and NoBo identification number under the NoBo’s responsibility.
    • Issue the EU Declaration of Conformity and retain the required records for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Assess and approve the manufacturer’s quality system.
    • Conduct periodic surveillance audits and, where appropriate, unexpected visits.
    • Review proposed changes to the quality system.
    • Carry out or arrange product tests when necessary to verify the system’s effectiveness.
     

    PED Module D1

    Module D1 is similar to Module D, but without a separate EU-type examination certificate. The manufacturer demonstrates conformity directly against the applicable PED requirements through technical documentation and an approved quality system.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Prepare and maintain technical documentation and risk assessment.
    • Operate an approved quality system covering production, final inspection and testing.
    • Ensure equipment meets the applicable PED requirements.
    • Inform the NoBo of intended changes to the quality system.
    • Affix the CE marking and NoBo identification number under the NoBo’s responsibility, issue the EU Declaration of Conformity and retain the required records for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Assess and approve the quality system and review the technical documentation.
    • Conduct periodic surveillance audits and any justified additional visits.
    • Assess changes to the quality system.
    • Carry out or arrange product tests when necessary to verify effective implementation.
     

    PED Module E

    For Module E, the manufacturer operates an approved quality system focused on final product inspection and testing to ensure conformity with an approved EU type.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Maintain an approved quality system covering final inspection and testing.
    • Verify that each product conforms to the approved type and applicable PED requirements.
    • Maintain inspection, testing, calibration and personnel qualification records.
    • Inform the NoBo of intended changes to the quality system.
    • Affix the CE marking and NoBo identification number under the NoBo’s responsibility, issue the EU Declaration of Conformity and retain the required records for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Assess and approve the quality system.
    • Conduct periodic surveillance audits and, where appropriate, unexpected visits.
    • Review proposed changes to the quality system.
    • Carry out or arrange product tests where necessary to verify that the quality system functions correctly.
     

    PED Module E1

    The manufacturer operates an approved quality system for final inspection and testing, demonstrating conformity directly with the PED requirements without a separate EU-type examination certificate.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Prepare and maintain technical documentation and risk assessment.
    • Operate an approved quality system for final inspection and testing.
    • Ensure each item undergoes the required examinations and tests, including final assessment.
    • Maintain inspection, testing and personnel qualification records.
    • Inform the NoBo of intended changes to the quality system.
    • Affix the CE marking and NoBo identification number under the NoBo’s responsibility, issue the EU Declaration of Conformity and retain the required records for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Assess and approve the quality system and review the technical documentation.
    • Conduct periodic surveillance audits and any justified additional visits.
    • Review changes to the quality system.
    • Carry out or arrange product tests when necessary to verify effective implementation.

    PED Module H

    The manufacturer operates an approved quality system covering design, manufacture, final inspection and testing, without a separate EU-type examination certificate.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Prepare technical documentation for the equipment types to be manufactured.
    • Operate an approved quality system covering design, production, final inspection and testing.
    • Ensure equipment meets the applicable PED requirements.
    • Inform the NoBo of intended changes to the quality system.
    • Affix the CE marking and NoBo identification number under the NoBo’s responsibility.
    • Issue the EU Declaration of Conformity and retain the required documentation and records for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Assess and approve the quality system, including design controls and technical documentation.
    • Conduct periodic surveillance audits and, where appropriate, unexpected visits.
    • Review changes to the quality system.
    • Carry out or arrange product tests when necessary to verify its effective operation.

    PED Module H1

    The manufacturer operates a full quality system covering design and production, supplemented by NoBo design examination and special surveillance of final assessment.

    Manufacturer’s responsibilities

    • Prepare technical documentation and design evidence for the equipment.
    • Operate an approved quality system covering design, manufacture, final inspection and testing.
    • Ensure conformity with the applicable PED requirements.
    • Inform the NoBo of relevant design and quality-system changes.
    • Perform final assessment and maintain the required records .
    • Affix the CE marking and NoBo identification number under the NoBo’s responsibility, issue the EU Declaration of Conformity and retain the required documentation for 10 years.

    NoBo responsibilities

    • Assess and approve the full quality system.
    • Examine the design and issue the relevant design examination certificate when requirements are met.
    • Conduct surveillance audits and assess relevant changes.
    • Apply special surveillance to final assessment, including additional checks as required by the module.
    • Carry out or arrange product tests when necessary to verify compliance.
    Contact us about PED certification
    PED training

    PED Training

    We offer courses and seminars that help you to understand and apply the PED requirements to legally sell products within the EU (or PE(S)R for UK-only).

    This helps your team to:

    • Understand your responsibilities and the key regulatory requirements that apply to your products.
    • Avoid unnecessary complexity by understanding what is required, what isn’t, and how to approach compliance efficiently.
    • Improve product safety by applying the Essential Safety Requirements throughout the design and manufacturing process.
    • Get the documentation right to support conformity assessment, avoid costly delays and help products access European and international markets.
    • Build internal confidence and capability so your team can make informed decisions and manage compliance more effectively.

    Find out more about HPiVS’ PED training here or get in touch with our team.