The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU is the primary legislation governing the design, manufacture, and conformity assessment of pressure equipment and assemblies placed on the European Union market. The directive ensures such equipment operates safely under pressure and supports the free movement of goods across the EU.
What is the Pressure Equipment Directive?
The PED applies to pressure equipment with a maximum allowable pressure greater than 0.5 bar, including vessels, piping, safety accessories, and pressure accessories. It replaced the earlier directive 97/23/EC and became fully applicable as of 19 July 2016.
The directive aims to protect users, operators, and the environment by requiring that pressure equipment be designed, manufactured, and tested according to essential safety requirements.
Scope of the PED
The directive covers:
- Pressure vessels: tanks, boilers, accumulators
- Piping systems: steam lines, chemical pipelines
- Safety accessories: relief valves, rupture disks, temperature sensors
- Pressure accessories: valves, gauges, filters under pressure
- Assemblies: integrated systems of pressure equipment (e.g. steam-generating plants)
The PED does not apply to:
- Equipment subject to other specific EU directives (e.g. medical devices, military equipment)
- Simple pressure vessels covered by Directive 2014/29/EU
- Aerosol dispensers
- Equipment operated under specific transport regulations (e.g. road, rail, air)
Essential Safety Requirements
Annex I of the directive outlines Essential Safety Requirements (ESRs) that pressure equipment must meet, including:
- Design for safe operation under foreseeable conditions
- Protection against overpressure and failure
- Use of suitable materials and manufacturing methods
- Adequate testing (non-destructive testing, pressure testing)
- Clear operating instructions, warnings, and maintenance information
All pressure equipment must undergo a risk assessment and be designed to mitigate hazards related to pressure, temperature, corrosion, fatigue, and incorrect operation.
Classification and Conformity Assessment
Pressure equipment is classified by:
- Type of equipment
- State of the fluid (gas or liquid)
- Fluid group (Group 1: hazardous, Group 2: non-hazardous)
- Maximum allowable pressure (PS) and volume (V) or nominal size (DN)
Based on classification, equipment is sorted into categories I to IV. The higher the risk, the stricter the conformity assessment procedure.
Manufacturers must:
- Choose the correct conformity assessment module (e.g. A, B, C2, D, E, F, G, H)
- Work with a Notified Body where required (for higher categories)
- Draw up an EU Declaration of Conformity
- Affix the CE mark (with the Notified Body number if applicable)
Harmonised Standards and Presumption of Conformity
Applying relevant harmonised EN standards gives manufacturers a presumption of conformity with PED requirements. Common standards include:
- EN 13445: Unfired pressure vessels
- EN 13480: Metallic industrial piping
- EN ISO 4126: Safety devices for protection against excessive pressure
- EN ISO 9606: Qualification of welders
These standards help ensure quality, consistency, and acceptance across EU member states.
Responsibilities of Economic Operators
- Manufacturers: Must ensure products are designed and assessed per PED requirements and keep technical documentation for 10 years.
- Importers: Must verify non-EU equipment meets all compliance obligations before placing it on the market.
- Distributors: Must ensure CE marking, documentation, and safe storage/transportation of pressure equipment.
All operators must cooperate with market surveillance authorities and take corrective measures if non-compliance is found.
Contact Us
Ensuring compliance with the Pressure Equipment Directive requires technical precision, rigorous testing, and clear documentation. Whether you’re designing a new product, preparing for Notified Body assessment, or managing your technical file, we can support you at every step.
Contact us today for expert assistance with classification, CE marking, conformity modules, and full compliance with the Pressure Equipment Directive—so your products enter the EU market safely and successfully.
