Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016, No. 1092 (as amended)

The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 aim to ensure the safety of simple pressure vessels within the European Union (EU) market. These regulations set forth specific requirements and guidelines for the design, manufacture, and placement of these vessels on the market.

The purpose of the regulations is to establish essential safety measures to prevent risks associated with simple pressure vessels, such as explosions or leaks. By imposing these regulations, the authorities aim to safeguard consumers, workers, and the environment from potential hazards arising from improperly designed or manufactured pressure vessels.

The requirements outlined in the regulations include criteria for the design, construction, testing, and documentation of simple pressure vessels. These requirements cover various aspects, including the materials used, maximum allowable pressure limits, safety devices, markings, and documentation of conformity.

The regulations apply to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and authorized representatives who place simple pressure vessels on the EU market. Simple pressure vessels are defined as vessels that contain air or nitrogen at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar, steam at any pressure, or liquids at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar, excluding those designed for nuclear use, vehicles, aerosol dispensers, and fire extinguishers.

Overall, the Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 play a crucial role in maintaining the safety of pressure vessels in the EU market, ensuring that they meet specific standards and pose minimal risks to individuals and the environment.

The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 stipulate specific evidence requirements that manufacturers, importers, distributors, and authorized representatives must adhere to when placing simple pressure vessels on the European Union (EU) market. These evidence requirements are aimed at ensuring that the pressure vessels meet the necessary safety standards and pose minimal risks to users and the environment.

1. Technical Documentation: Manufacturers are required to prepare technical documentation that demonstrates how their pressure vessels meet the essential safety requirements outlined in the regulations. This documentation should include detailed information about the design, construction, and testing of the pressure vessels.
2. Conformity Assessment: Manufacturers must perform a conformity assessment to verify that their pressure vessels comply with the regulations. This assessment involves evaluating the pressure vessels' design, construction, and safety features against the specified requirements.
3. Type Examination: In some cases, manufacturers need to have their pressure vessels undergo a type examination by a notified body. This involves a thorough examination of a representative sample of the pressure vessel to ensure that it meets the essential safety requirements.
4. Production Quality Control: Manufacturers are required to establish and maintain a production quality control system to ensure consistent compliance with the regulations. This includes regular monitoring, testing, and inspections of the pressure vessels during the manufacturing process.
5. Supplier Declarations of Conformity: Manufacturers must provide a declaration of conformity stating that their pressure vessels meet the requirements of the regulations. Importers and distributors must also ensure that they receive a copy of this declaration from the manufacturer.
6. Marking and Documentation: Pressure vessels that have passed the conformity assessment must bear the CE marking and be accompanied by appropriate documentation, including instructions for safe use and maintenance.
7. Storage of Documentation: Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and authorized representatives must keep all documentation related to the pressure vessels' conformity assessment for a specified period. This documentation should be made available to authorities upon request.
8. Authorized Representative's Responsibilities: Non-EU manufacturers must designate an authorized representative within the EU. This representative is responsible for ensuring that the necessary evidence of conformity is available and can be provided to authorities.

By adhering to these evidence requirements, stakeholders involved in placing simple pressure vessels on the EU market ensure that the vessels are safe, reliable, and compliant with the Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016. This contributes to maintaining the safety of users and the environment while fostering transparency and accountability within the industry.