Understanding the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2025 2:54 am
The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) is a foundational piece of legislation in the European Union that regulates the design, manufacture, and conformity of pressure equipment. Its primary aim is to ensure safety, reliability, and consistency across the EU for equipment subjected to internal pressure.
What is the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)?
The PED (Directive 2014/68/EU) is a European Union directive that outlines the essential safety requirements for pressure equipment and assemblies that operate at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar. The directive applies to both individual components and complete systems designed to hold or convey pressurized fluids—whether gas, vapor, or liquid.
This directive replaced the earlier Directive 97/23/EC and became fully applicable on July 19, 2016, aligning with the EU's New Legislative Framework (NLF), which streamlines compliance and product safety across member states.
Objectives of the PED
The main goals of the PED include:
• Ensuring high levels of health and safety for users, operators, and the environment
• Harmonizing safety and design standards across all EU and EEA countries
• Facilitating the free movement of goods within the internal market
• Enhancing traceability and accountability through documentation and quality assurance
By establishing a unified framework for pressure equipment, the PED reduces technical barriers and improves trust in EU-manufactured products.
Scope of the Pressure Equipment Directive
The PED applies to a wide range of industrial and commercial equipment that operate above 0.5 bar pressure. These include:
• Pressure vessels (e.g., air receivers, gas storage tanks)
• Boilers (e.g., steam boilers, hot water boilers)
• Heat exchangers (e.g., shell and tube, plate heat exchangers)
• Industrial piping systems
• Safety accessories (e.g., safety relief valves, rupture discs)
• Pressure accessories (e.g., filters, separators, expansion joints)
• Assemblies (integrated systems of pressure equipment)
Exclusions from PED
Certain equipment is not covered under the PED:
• Equipment for military use
• Nuclear equipment subject to nuclear safety directives
• Transport pressure equipment (regulated under ADR, RID, etc.)
• Low-pressure vessels used in household appliances
• Equipment intended for research and prototype testing
Categories of Pressure Equipment
Pressure equipment is classified under four categories, based on:
• Pressure (PS) – Maximum allowable pressure
• Volume (V) – Internal volume
• DN – Nominal diameter for piping
• Fluid group – Group 1 (hazardous) or Group 2 (non-hazardous)
The four categories include:
• Category I – Low risk
• Category II – Medium risk
• Category III – High risk
• Category IV – Highest risk and strictest requirements
The category dictates the applicable conformity assessment procedures and whether a Notified Body must be involved.
Conformity Assessment and CE Marking
To place pressure equipment on the EU market, manufacturers must demonstrate compliance through conformity assessment procedures. These assessments ensure that the equipment meets all essential safety requirements.
Common assessment modules include:
• Module A – Internal production control (used for Category I)
• Module B + D, E, or F – Type examination followed by QA checks or product testing
• Module G – Unit verification for custom-built or high-risk equipment
• Module H / H1 – Full quality assurance systems with or without design examination
Once compliance is confirmed, the manufacturer can affix the CE marking and issue a Declaration of Conformity, enabling free trade within the EU market.
Role of Notified Bodies
For higher-risk equipment (Categories II–IV), manufacturers must work with an EU-recognized Notified Body (NoBo). These are independent organizations authorized to:
• Review technical design documentation
• Audit manufacturing processes
• Oversee non-destructive testing (NDT) and pressure testing
• Approve quality assurance systems
• Issue EU Type-Examination Certificates
The Notified Body’s ID number must accompany the CE mark on the product.
Harmonized Standards Under PED
While the PED outlines essential safety requirements, it references several harmonized European (EN) standards that help demonstrate compliance, such as:
• EN 13445 – Design and manufacture of unfired pressure vessels
• EN 13480 – Metallic industrial piping systems
• EN 12952 / EN 12953 – Water-tube and shell boilers
• EN 10204 – Inspection documents and material certification (e.g., 3.1 and 3.2 certificates)
• EN ISO 3834 – Welding quality requirements
Following these standards offers a “presumption of conformity” with the PED, simplifying the certification process.
Technical Documentation Requirements
Manufacturers must maintain a technical file that demonstrates how the product complies with PED. This file should include:
• Product description and design specifications
• Risk assessment and safety analysis
• Material and welding certificates (EN 10204)
• Test reports (e.g., hydrostatic test, NDT results)
• Conformity assessment module details
• EU Declaration of Conformity
This documentation must be retained for 10 years after the product is placed on the market.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to comply with PED requirements can result in serious consequences:
• Legal actions and fines by national market surveillance authorities
• Product bans or recalls across the EU
• Loss of CE marking rights and certification status
• Damage to brand reputation and customer trust
Manufacturers must take their responsibility seriously and ensure that all steps of PED compliance are followed meticulously.
Benefits of PED Compliance
Achieving PED compliance offers multiple advantages:
• Access to all EU/EEA markets without trade restrictions
• Competitive advantage through internationally recognized standards
• Enhanced safety and product reliability
• Reduced liability for manufacturers and suppliers
• Customer assurance of quality and performance
Conclusion
The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU plays a critical role in ensuring that pressure equipment used across Europe is safe, reliable, and fit for purpose. By understanding its scope, classification system, documentation requirements, and CE marking process, manufacturers can not only meet legal obligations but also demonstrate a commitment to high-quality engineering and safety.
Complying with the PED is not just about ticking boxes—it’s about building a safer future through quality, consistency, and accountability in pressure equipment manufacturing.
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What is the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)?
The PED (Directive 2014/68/EU) is a European Union directive that outlines the essential safety requirements for pressure equipment and assemblies that operate at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar. The directive applies to both individual components and complete systems designed to hold or convey pressurized fluids—whether gas, vapor, or liquid.
This directive replaced the earlier Directive 97/23/EC and became fully applicable on July 19, 2016, aligning with the EU's New Legislative Framework (NLF), which streamlines compliance and product safety across member states.
Objectives of the PED
The main goals of the PED include:
• Ensuring high levels of health and safety for users, operators, and the environment
• Harmonizing safety and design standards across all EU and EEA countries
• Facilitating the free movement of goods within the internal market
• Enhancing traceability and accountability through documentation and quality assurance
By establishing a unified framework for pressure equipment, the PED reduces technical barriers and improves trust in EU-manufactured products.
Scope of the Pressure Equipment Directive
The PED applies to a wide range of industrial and commercial equipment that operate above 0.5 bar pressure. These include:
• Pressure vessels (e.g., air receivers, gas storage tanks)
• Boilers (e.g., steam boilers, hot water boilers)
• Heat exchangers (e.g., shell and tube, plate heat exchangers)
• Industrial piping systems
• Safety accessories (e.g., safety relief valves, rupture discs)
• Pressure accessories (e.g., filters, separators, expansion joints)
• Assemblies (integrated systems of pressure equipment)
Exclusions from PED
Certain equipment is not covered under the PED:
• Equipment for military use
• Nuclear equipment subject to nuclear safety directives
• Transport pressure equipment (regulated under ADR, RID, etc.)
• Low-pressure vessels used in household appliances
• Equipment intended for research and prototype testing
Categories of Pressure Equipment
Pressure equipment is classified under four categories, based on:
• Pressure (PS) – Maximum allowable pressure
• Volume (V) – Internal volume
• DN – Nominal diameter for piping
• Fluid group – Group 1 (hazardous) or Group 2 (non-hazardous)
The four categories include:
• Category I – Low risk
• Category II – Medium risk
• Category III – High risk
• Category IV – Highest risk and strictest requirements
The category dictates the applicable conformity assessment procedures and whether a Notified Body must be involved.
Conformity Assessment and CE Marking
To place pressure equipment on the EU market, manufacturers must demonstrate compliance through conformity assessment procedures. These assessments ensure that the equipment meets all essential safety requirements.
Common assessment modules include:
• Module A – Internal production control (used for Category I)
• Module B + D, E, or F – Type examination followed by QA checks or product testing
• Module G – Unit verification for custom-built or high-risk equipment
• Module H / H1 – Full quality assurance systems with or without design examination
Once compliance is confirmed, the manufacturer can affix the CE marking and issue a Declaration of Conformity, enabling free trade within the EU market.
Role of Notified Bodies
For higher-risk equipment (Categories II–IV), manufacturers must work with an EU-recognized Notified Body (NoBo). These are independent organizations authorized to:
• Review technical design documentation
• Audit manufacturing processes
• Oversee non-destructive testing (NDT) and pressure testing
• Approve quality assurance systems
• Issue EU Type-Examination Certificates
The Notified Body’s ID number must accompany the CE mark on the product.
Harmonized Standards Under PED
While the PED outlines essential safety requirements, it references several harmonized European (EN) standards that help demonstrate compliance, such as:
• EN 13445 – Design and manufacture of unfired pressure vessels
• EN 13480 – Metallic industrial piping systems
• EN 12952 / EN 12953 – Water-tube and shell boilers
• EN 10204 – Inspection documents and material certification (e.g., 3.1 and 3.2 certificates)
• EN ISO 3834 – Welding quality requirements
Following these standards offers a “presumption of conformity” with the PED, simplifying the certification process.
Technical Documentation Requirements
Manufacturers must maintain a technical file that demonstrates how the product complies with PED. This file should include:
• Product description and design specifications
• Risk assessment and safety analysis
• Material and welding certificates (EN 10204)
• Test reports (e.g., hydrostatic test, NDT results)
• Conformity assessment module details
• EU Declaration of Conformity
This documentation must be retained for 10 years after the product is placed on the market.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to comply with PED requirements can result in serious consequences:
• Legal actions and fines by national market surveillance authorities
• Product bans or recalls across the EU
• Loss of CE marking rights and certification status
• Damage to brand reputation and customer trust
Manufacturers must take their responsibility seriously and ensure that all steps of PED compliance are followed meticulously.
Benefits of PED Compliance
Achieving PED compliance offers multiple advantages:
• Access to all EU/EEA markets without trade restrictions
• Competitive advantage through internationally recognized standards
• Enhanced safety and product reliability
• Reduced liability for manufacturers and suppliers
• Customer assurance of quality and performance
Conclusion
The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU plays a critical role in ensuring that pressure equipment used across Europe is safe, reliable, and fit for purpose. By understanding its scope, classification system, documentation requirements, and CE marking process, manufacturers can not only meet legal obligations but also demonstrate a commitment to high-quality engineering and safety.
Complying with the PED is not just about ticking boxes—it’s about building a safer future through quality, consistency, and accountability in pressure equipment manufacturing.
Visit-PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ