Preparing For The Pressure Equipment Directive

Bureau Veritas, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services, is urging companies to be prepared ahead of the upcoming changes to the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). From 19th July 2016, any pressure equipment sold in the EU will need to meet the new directive from PED 97/23/EC to PED 2014/68/EU.

The updated PED has been created as one of the EU’s New Approach Directives to ensure the essential safety requirements of pressure equipment and the free movement of goods within the EU. It also aims to simplify and streamline guidelines around putting products on the market, in an effort to protect against fraudulently certified equipment. The main impact of the legislation includes changes to fluid group classification, obligations of distributors and importers and conformity assessment modules and requirements.

As a pressure equipment compliance partner, Bureau Veritas is ideally positioned to offer independent advice and support to manufacturers, distributors or agents during the regulation transition period. Acting as an appointed Notified Body on behalf of the UK Competent Authority (BIS), Bureau Veritas has a dedicated Product Conformity Assessment (PCA) department of experienced PED inspectors and design verification engineers.

These experts are on hand to deliver conformity assessment of pressure equipment, as well as associated conformity requirement assessments including: PED Certification and CE Marking; material certification upgrade and verification; welding Procedure Qualification Records (PQR’s) and Welder Qualification Records (WQR’s).

Richard Shore, PCA inspection team leader at Bureau Veritas, explains: “The original PED is 17 years old this year and implementing quite significant changes after such a long period of time means that there is a job to be done to ensure companies are aware of what impact the new requirements will mean for their business. As an independent verification partner, we are able to provide impartial advice and help ensure that the transition period is as smooth as possible.

“At Bureau Veritas, we pride ourselves on being an added value partner and work closely with companies to ensure we are providing a tailored solution for each project, however big or small. It is crucial that anyone that might be affected by the introduction of the new PED in July are up-to-speed and we are on hand to offer advice on what next steps might be needed to ensure the continued provision of a safe working environment.”