The timetable
15 Jan 2000
The EC Pressure Equipment Directive was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on 29 May 1997 as Directive 97/23/EC. The Directive arises from the EC programme for the elimination of technical barriers to trade. Its purpose is to harmonise national laws of member states regarding the design, manufacture and conformity assessment of pressure equipment and assemblies of pressure equipment.
From 29 November 1999 until 28 May 2002, manufacturers of pressure equipment and assemblies have the choice of either following the Community regime described below or continuing to comply with existing national legislation.
From 29 May 2002 most pressure equipment and assemblies placed on the market in the UK will need to comply with the Community regime.
Accordingly, pressure equipment and assemblies above specified pressure/volume thresholds must:
* be safe;
* meet essential safety requirements covering design, manufacture and testing;
* satisfy appropriate conformity assessment procedures; and
* carry the CE marking and other information.
Pressure equipment and assemblies below the specified pressure/volume thresholds must:
* be safe;
* be designed and manufactured according to sound engineering practice; and
* bear specified markings (but not the CE marking).
The same rules will apply everywhere in the Community so thatcompliant equipment may be placed on the market in any member state.
