Pressure Equipment and CE Certification (2014/68/EU)
The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU was introduced by the European Union to ensure the free movement of pressure equipment and to establish the necessary safety regulations for the protection of human health and the environment. The directive is applicable both in EU member states and in Turkey, and requires products within its scope to bear the CE marking.
Scope of the Directive
The directive sets out the rules to be followed in the design, manufacture, testing, certification, and placing on the market of pressure equipment.
Some of the products covered by pressure equipment include:
- Steam boilers
- Pressure vessels
- Piping systems
- Valves and pressure equipment components
- Gas cylinders
- Fire extinguishers
- Hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders
The PED defines the minimum requirements to ensure the safe production, assembly, and use of such equipment. In order to obtain the CE marking, products must undergo the relevant conformity assessment procedures.
CE Certification and Conformity Assessment Modules
The classification of pressure equipment is based on pressure, volume, intended use, and the type of fluid. According to this classification, the category of the product under the directive is determined.
The conformity assessment modules available for CE marking are:
- Module A: Internal production control
- Module B: Type examination
- Module C1: Conformity to type based on internal production control plus supervised product testing
- Module C2: Conformity to type based on internal production control plus supervised checks at random intervals
- Module D: Quality assurance of the production process
- Module E: Quality assurance of the production process (product-specific)
- Module F: Product verification by final inspection and testing
- Module G: Unit verification
- Module H: Conformity based on full quality assurance
- Module H1: Conformity based on full quality assurance plus design examination
Examples of Products within the Scope of the Directive
- Compressors: Used to compress gases to produce high-pressure air or gas.
- Boilers: Used for steam or hot water production.
- Pressure vessels: Used for storage or transport of gases and liquids.
- Cylinders and pipes: For the transfer of pressurized fluids.
- Pressure filters: Used in chemical and industrial processes for filtration.
- Hydraulic systems: Generate mechanical power through pressurized liquids.
- Pump systems: Enable the transport of liquids under high pressure.
- Pressure tanks: Used in water and fuel storage applications.
- Fire extinguishing equipment: Cylinders and sprinkler systems fall into this category.
- Air tanks: Store compressed air in compressor systems.
Since these types of equipment may pose potential hazards depending on their applications, they must be designed, manufactured, and certified in compliance with safety standards.
Importance of Obtaining CE Certification for Pressure Equipment
The CE marking demonstrates compliance of pressure equipment with EU legislation and is mandatory for placing products on the market. The importance of certification can be highlighted under the following points:
- Legal Requirement: All pressure equipment placed on the EU market must bear the CE marking.
- Product Safety: The CE marking shows that the equipment meets essential health and safety requirements.
- Quality and Performance: Certification proves that the product meets specific quality and performance criteria.
- Market Access: The CE marking enables free movement of products within the EU internal market.
- Customer Confidence: The CE marking increases users’ and businesses’ confidence in the safety of the product.
- Legal Protection: Manufacturers are in a stronger legal position against liability risks with CE-marked products.
- International Trade: The CE marking is also recognized as an indicator of compliance in some markets outside the EU.
- Technical Documentation: The CE process requires proper documentation of the product’s design, manufacturing, and testing processes.