Pressure Equipment Directive 2016/68/EU Categorisation
Introduction to 2016/68/EU – Pressure Equipment Directive (Formerly known as Directive 97/23/EC)
All equipment with a maximum allowable pressure greater than 0.5 Bar above atmospheric pressure must be assessed in accordance with the European Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU and if necessary designed and manufactured in accordance with the requirements contained within the Directive.
This equipment can include vessels for storage or pressurisation of fluids, heat exchanger equipment, pipework, safety accessories, pressure accessories or assemblies.
From July 2016 the Directive MUST be applied to all equipment defined in the Directive that is to be sold and installed within the European Community. If categorised I, II, III or IV the equipment MUST be CE marked.
From July 2016, if equipment that should be manufactured within the regulations contained in the Directive is not assessed correctly or is not manufactured within the specified requirements, a Government appointed authority can force the manufacturer of the equipment to withdraw it from use and in extreme cases could force the manufacturer to stop manufacturing equipment of this type.
Please review the revised European Directive detailing the associated changes to the new Pressure Equipment Directive.