Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC)
Article Written by: Ahmet Faruk Taka, AQA CE Marking Specialist
The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) only applies when equipment is first placed on the
market or put into service in the European Economic Area and applies to the written Article 1 which means:
The design, manufacture and conformity assessment of pressure equipment as well as assemblies of pressure equipment with a maximum allowable pressure greater than that of 0.5 bar (50 Kpa)
The Pressure Equipment Directive has exclusions for products which are stated in Article 1
Section 3. Equipment classified in categories I to IV will be required to meet essential safety
requirements for design, manufacture, materials, heated pressure equipments, piping and safety factors for certain pressure equipment.
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure that essential requirements for the pressure equipment and conformity assessment procedures of the PED are fulfilled. Depending on the classification of pressure equipment the conformity assessment procedure can be done by the manufacturer alone or with a notified body. Should a notified body need to be involved, they will carry out various procedures such as type examination, product examination or checking into the manufacturers quality assurance procedures.
In order to achieve Ce marking for Pressure Equipment Directive, a manufacturer should abide by the following requirements.
· Specify the technical requirements if the pressure equipment is needed to be assessed
according to 97/23/EC
· Decide the conformity assessment procedure
· Investigate the applicable harmonized standard for the equipment
After complying with the requirements of the applied module, the CE mark can be affixed.
Resources: Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC
Guide to the Implementation of Directives Based on New Approach, European Commission
Article Written by: Ahmet Faruk Taka, AQA CE Marking Specialist
Before the creation of the European Union, nations developed their legislation independently. Once the European Union (EU) was created, in certain areas, state members could not permit into its territory products that were legal elsewhere in the union. The situation is frustrating for manufacturers who have heavily invested in developing a product. Even within the EU, manufacturers were obligated to modify their products for each member state’s market.
This was a direct contradiction to the goal whose concept is to facilitate free movement of goods in the internal market while ensuring a high level of protection for customers. To break the barriers of free trade, the EU legislation came up with new approach directives in 1985. The idea was very simple and provided a new concept for achievement. It was basically stated that what is safe (or unsafe) in one country, is also safe (or unsafe) in the other country.
New Approach Directives:
A new approach directive lists issues that are to be addressed by the manufacturer. These clauses are known as Essential Safety Requirements or ESR’s. New approach directives are based on the following principles:
- Harmonization of standards limited to essential requirements.
- Only products fulfilling the essential requirements may be placed on the market and put in
service.
- Application of harmonized standards or other technical specifications remains voluntary and manufacturers are free to choose any technical solution that provides compliance with essential requirements.
- Manufacturers may choose between different conformity assessment procedures provided for in the applicable directive.
Since 1987, 20 CE directives were adopted on the basis of the new approach and the global
approach and have progressively come into force.
Global Approach:
Modular approach provides a template for product legislation directives and consists of three major elements which must be understood when attempting to comply with directives.
· Conformity Assessment Modules
· Notified Bodies
· CE Marking
A module is a technique or procedure by which an assessment is conducted where notified bodies are independent companies appointed by a member state government to perform the third party duties defined in the assessment modules. Having demonstrated the required experience and knowledge, the notified body must show that it can operate an assessment program. This is achieved through the development of a quality system in line with, or formally accredited to the EN 45000 series.
CE Marking:
Once a product has passed through an appropriate assessment module and documentation is completed, it complies with the applicable directive. At this point, the manufacturer affixes the CE marking when approved. The CE marking shows interested parties that the product complies with all applicable directives.
Over the last 10 months or so with the departure of key expertise in our organization we’ve found ourselves working very hard to keep up with the changing trends and demands of the 3rd party certification business not to mention the demands of TS and AS. Recently, we had the opportunity to add to our team an individual who we feel will make a positive impact. AQA is privileged to welcome Martin (Marty) Willem as our new Vice President. His primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to Registration Committee and Technical Quality Assurance Assistance.
Marty Willem comes to us after 12 years of employment at another global certification body. Since 1998 Martin has worked in a variety of capacities including: Auditor, Product Manager for Automotive, Automotive Technical expert, Operations Manager and National Operations Manager for Canada. He is TS and AS (AIEA) qualified. Prior to joining the certification industry, Marty worked as a quality professional in various organizations and gained significant audit and technical experience primarily in the automotive and aerospace industries. Marty was successful in garnering registration for these organizations to ISO 9001 and QS-9000 quality management system standards and we are very excited to have him on board!
AQA would also like the opportunity to welcome Chris Gillan as our new receptionist. After more than a decade of experience as the CEO of the Gillan household, Chris decided to open a new chapter in her life by joining AQA International on January 25, 2010 as the Receptionist. Chris’ husband, Dennis, and their two boys Martin (15) and Brendan (12), along with their lovable Labrador retriever Fella, reside in the Long Creek community in Blythewood. Chris and her family moved to Blythewood 5 years ago after spending 7 long winters in Chicago. She enjoys many outdoor activities including running, dog walking, swimming and is an active member of New Kirk Presbyterian Church. Chris has previous sales and administrative experience and is excited to be part of the team of excellence here at AQA.