SPVD (CE) Certification

The Simple Pressure Vessels Directive (SPVD — 2014/29/EU) governs series-produced, welded simple pressure vessels with an internal pressure exceeding 0.5 bar and containing air or nitrogen. Its scope is deliberately narrow: cylindrical, circular-section vessels, not exposed to flame, and within a defined material and temperature range. Compressor air receivers are its most common example.

• Manufacturers of compressor air receivers
• Manufacturers of compressed-air reservoirs and expansion tanks
• Manufacturers of equipment containing these vessels
• Those importing these products into the EU

Mandatory for vessels within scope. A notified body is involved for vessels with a PS×V value exceeding 50 bar·L (EU type examination or examination of design adequacy, followed by a production-phase module). Vessels at or below 50 bar·L are manufactured to sound engineering practice and do not carry the CE mark.

• Scope: vessel geometry, material, temperature and pressure limits; excluded products
• Essential safety requirements (Annex I): design, material, manufacture
• Material requirements: the vessel shell, welding consumables, tensile strength and ductility
• Verification by design calculation or an experimental method
• Manufacture: welding operations, welder and procedure approval, preparation of parts
• Production control: tests, hydrostatic testing, sampling
• Marking and instructions for use
• Conformity-assessment modules and their selection by the PS×V threshold

1. 1Determining the LegislationIt is determined which EU legislation applies to the product. A product can fall within scope of more than one piece of legislation at the same time; all of them must be met.
2. 2Selecting the Conformity Assessment ModuleThe legislation determines the module to follow according to the product's risk class. The manufacturer self-declares under some modules, while a notified body is involved under others.
3. 3Testing Against Harmonised StandardsConformity with harmonised standards published in the EU Official Journal is demonstrated through testing; this provides a presumption of conformity with the legislation.
4. 4Risk Analysis and the Technical FileThe risk assessment, design calculations, test reports, instructions for use and sample labels are compiled in the technical file.
5. 5The EU Declaration of ConformityThe manufacturer or its EU-based authorised representative signs the declaration of conformity. Responsibility rests with the signatory of the declaration.
6. 6Affixing the CE MarkThe mark is affixed to the product in the form and size the legislation prescribes; the notified body's identification number is added if one is involved.
7. 7Retaining the Technical FileThe technical file is retained for the period the legislation sets from the product's placing on the market (10 years under most legislation) and presented to the competent authority on request.

The CE mark is not a certificate but the manufacturer's declaration of conformity, and it has no expiry. However, the declaration remains valid as long as the product and the legislation do not change: the technical file must be updated if the legislation or the harmonised standard is updated. Notified-body certificates (e.g. an EU Type-Examination Certificate) are subject to a validity period.

• The product description, model list and technical drawings
• Risk assessment
• The list of harmonised standards applied
• Test reports
• Instructions for use and warning labels (in the target market's language)
• A draft EU Declaration of Conformity
• Manufacturing drawings and design calculations
• Material certificates
• Welding-procedure and welder approvals
• Hydrostatic test records
• The series-production control plan
• The vessel's rating plate and instructions for use

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of pieces of legislation applicable to the product
• The conformity-assessment module — whether a notified body is involved
• The required test scope and number of samples
• The current state of the technical file
• Translation and documentation needs

A Notified Body under CE is registered in the European Commission's NANDO database for the relevant EU regulation and carries a four-digit identification number. Notified body authority is based on legislation and product scope; The authority granted for one regulation does not extend to another. Testing is within the scope of ISO/IEC 17025, product certification is within the scope of ISO/IEC 17065.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• CEPED
• CEATEX
• CEGas Appliances
• CEMachinery Safety
• CELVD
• CEEMC
• CERED
• CEMDR