PED Information

PED Information: The Pressure Equipment Directive(PED) 97/23/EC became mandatory on 29 May 2002. This ends the 2-1/2 year transition from prior national laws to the PED. As of this date, all pressure equipment being placed into service in the European Economic Area must address the PED and possibly require a CE mark. This directive applies to all pressure equipment and assemblies with a maximum allowable pressure greater than 0.5 bar. While this definition is very far reaching, the exclusions and assessment categories place lower level requirements on lower risk products.

Should customs into the European Economic Area believe equipment not to be in compliance, it may be impounded. In some cases, companies are claiming exclusion under the PED without adequate documentation. This is a red flag for the customs agencies. In many cases, it is easier to certify to the PED at a low level and document the product. This provides an immediate response to the customs officials in the event of further scrutiny. This indicates the intent to comply with the law and it is less likely that the company will be seen as deceptive. In the event that equipment is impounded, it may be possible to comply with the PED after shipment, with the proper documentation. I recommend that if you sell into Europe, you should review the directive to determine the compliance required for your product. More than one directive may apply to your product so take care in evaluating all possible exposure.