Lloyd's handles the pressure
15 Jan 2000
Lloyd's Register (LR) has been approved by the DTI to supply inspection and appraisal services to companies that need to comply with the EC's new Pressure Equipment Directive. The first organisation to receive approval as a `Notified Body', LR will act as a one-stop shop for companies supplying pressure equipment.
The PED comes into force next month, and will be featured in the next issue of Process Engineering. The directive stipulates safety requirements for equipment that operates under pressure, such as valves, transducers, boilers and safety equipment. Any company which makes, imports, buys or sells such equipment will be affected by the directive. Equipment meeting the directive's requirements is eligible for a CE mark allowing it to be sold anywhere in the European Economic Area.
LR will provide design appraisal, product inspection, type examination and management systems assessment, and will be able to award equipment with CE marks.
`While compliance will not be mandatory until May 2002, we believe complying sooner rather than later is beneficial,' comments LR UK and Ireland regional manager Martin Gibson. `If manufacturers leave it until the last moment, they may find they are losing business to competitors who have had the foresight to comply earlier.'
