Directive 2014/68/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of pressure equipment
Objective
The aim of the Directive is to ensure the free movement of pressure equipment and assemblies within the Community market by harmonising the national safety and health protection requirements to which they are subject. It shall be ensured that pressure equipment will not be dangerous for safety and health of persons, animals or property while being installed, used or maintained.
The Directive repealed its antecessor Dir 97/23/EC.
The Directive provides, together with the Directives related to simple pressure vessels (2014/29/EU), transportable pressure equipment (2010/35/EU) and Aerosol Dispensers (75/324/EEC), for an adequate legislative framework on European level for equipment subject to a pressure hazard.
Contents
This Directive applies to equipment and assemblies subject to a maximum allowable pressure PS exceeding 0,5 bar. Pressure equipment according to the Directive are vessels, piping, safety accessories and pressure accessories.
The Directive determines the objectives or "essential requirements" which the above mentioned equipment must satisfy at the time of manufacture and before it is placed on the market.
The Directive concerns manufacturers of items such as vessels pressurised storage containers, heat exchangers, steam generators, boilers, industrial piping, safety devices and pressure. The manufacturer must ensure that his products are assessed with regard to conformity to the provisions of the Directive before they are being placed at the market. Manufacturers, importers and distributors are responsible for the compliance of their products with this law. Manufacturer information must be provided with the product.
Member States have supervision rights and shall ensure that unsafe products are withdrawn from or not placed on the market. Under the Directive, pressure equipment must be safe, meet essential safety requirements covering design, manufacture and testing, satisfy appropriate conformity assessment procedures and carry the CE marking and other required information.
