Simple pressure vessels

This Directive seeks to frame the production and sale of simple pressure vessels. Vessels which comply with the safety requirements thus established may circulate freely in the internal market of the European Union (EU).

ACT

Directive 2009/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 relating to simple pressure vessels.

SUMMARY

Simple pressure vessels must not endanger the safety of persons, domestic animals or property when they are properly installed, maintained and used. Thus they may not be placed on the market or put into service in the European Union (EU), if there is a danger of leakage or explosion.

Simple pressure vessels manufactured in series are welded vessels:

The Directive does not apply to:

Essential safety requirements

Harmonised European standards are established by European Standards Organisations, in line with the safety requirements laid down in Annex I of this Directive. These safety requirements concern in particular the materials that should be used, standards that are to be complied with when vessels are designed, for manufacturing processes and the putting into service of the products.

If the Commission or an EU country considers that the standards established do not comply with the safety requirements, they may refer the matter to the Standing Committee on standards and technical regulations.

Certification procedure

Prior to manufacturing, the manufacturer must apply to an inspection body authorised at national level to assess the conformity of their product with safety requirements.

‘CE’ marking

Products complying with the essential safety requirements relating to marketing and placing on the market shall bear ‘CE’marking. This marking must be visible, legible and indelible and must be accompanied by the information set out in Annex II to the Directive.

However, if a product with CE marking nevertheless presents a danger, the authorities of EU countries may withdraw it from the market. The country which takes these measures must inform the Commission thereof. The Commission will in turn inform the other EU countries.

Repeal

Directive 2009/105/EC is repealed by Directive 2014/29/EU with effect from 20 April 2016.

RELATED ACT

Directive 2014/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of simple pressure vessels (Official Journal L 96 of 29 March 2014, p. 45-78).

Last updated: 03.03.2015