1) OBJECTIVE To ensure the free movement of pressure equipment within the
Community market by harmonizing the national safety and health protection
requirements to which they are subject.
2) CONTENTS 1. This proposal for a Directive concerns pressure equipment
subject to a pressure greater than 0.5 bar (or less than 0.5 bar). Pressure
equipment intended for the transport of dangerous goods is not covered by
the proposal.
2. The proposal determines the objectives or "essential requirements" which
the abovementioned equipment must satisfy at the time of manufacture and
before they are placed on the market; these requirements replace the
corresponding national provisions.
3. Council Directive 76/767/EEC (Official Journal L 262, 27.09.1976) shall
be repealed as from 1 July 1996, except as regards the application of
Directives 84/525/EEC, 84/526/EEC and 84/527/EEC.
4. Harmonized European standards are drawn up on the basis of essential
requirements by European standardization bodies. These standards, which are
not compulsory, are published in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.
5. Procedures for the testing of pressure equipment for conformity with the
essential requirements are based on the modular approach set out in Council
Decision 93/465/EEC.
Conformity assessment is carried out by bodies designated by the Member
States in accordance with minimum assessment criteria and communicated to
the Commission and the other Member States.
6. The assessment procedures depend on the risk inherent in the pressure
equipment. Each category of pressure eqiuipment is covered by an appropriate
procedure or offers the choice between various equally stringent
procedures.
7. The manufacturer shall be solely responsible for establishing the
conformity of equipment presenting minor risks.
8. Member States may authorize users to perform certain defined tasks in the
assessment of conformity under this proposal for a Directive.
9. Before being placed on the market, pressure equipment must bear the EC
conformity marking which:
* shall consist of:
* the distinctive "EC" initials;
* the identification number of the body involved in the production control
phase;
* indicates its conformity with the provisions of this proposal and of the
other relevant Directives concerning affixation of the EC marking;
* shall not be affixed on equipment presenting a minor pressure risk.
10. Any other mark may be affixed on this equipment unless it risks being
confused with the EC marking.
11. Penalties adopted by the Member States in cases where the latter or
notified bodies establish that the EC marking has been affixed unduly.
12. Transitional period until 1 July 1999 during which the Member States
shall authorize the placing on the market and/or putting into service of
pressure equipment which complies with the regulations in force on their
territory at the date of adoption of this Directive.
Source : European Commission - Info92 - 02/96