The industrial sector of pressure equipment covers 3 directives under the responsibility of Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
- Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU (PED)
- Simple Pressure Vessels Directive 2014/29/EU (SPVD)
- Aerosol Dispensers Directive 75/324/EC (ADD)
These directives, together with the Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive 2010/35/EC (TPED), provide for an adequate legislative framework at European level for equipment presenting a pressure hazard.
These directives have contributed considerably to the smooth functioning of the single market by ensuring the 'free movement' of these products within the EU through the harmonisation of conditions for placing such products on the market and/or putting them into service while ensuring a high level of safety.
Read more on PED.
Contact information
- Contact information for European authorities, conformity assessment bodies, and CEN
- Contact information for European manufacturer’s and user’s associations
Unregulated certificates warning
Unregulated certificates, which are often called ‘voluntary certificates’ besides other names, are often issued for some products covered by EU harmonisation legislation by certification bodies not acting in their capacity as notified bodies under EU law. These practices are misleading since only notified bodies may issue certificates of compliance for harmonised products and only in the area for which they are notified. For example, if a body is notified to issue certificates for machinery, it should not issue certificates (voluntary or other) for non-machinery products (such as personal protective equipment – masks).
Please note that, under EU law, voluntary or other additional certificates are not a recognised means to prove compliance. Consequently, they have no value in the case of checks by market surveillance authorities or customs. However, an exception arises in instances where voluntary certification is outlined in specific legislation. In such cases, while the certificate is not obligatory, it must adhere to explicit requirements if chosen to be acquired.
Voluntary certificates can create the impression that the product conforms with applicable EU harmonisation legislation, although such certificates are not issued by an authorised body.
Voluntary certificates must not be confused with third-party conformity assessment certification by notified bodies within the area for of competence for which they are notified, due to the use of terms such as ‘certification’ or ‘independent third party’ or the presence of the CE marking on the certificate.
CE marking can only be affixed after testing the product and performing the conformity assessment procedure prescribed by the applicable EU harmonisation legislation. It is not acceptable for voluntary certificates to bear a CE marking.