The European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) & Luxfer Gas Cylinders Ltd.

1) The PED:

The PED is a European Directive (97/23/EC) that is intended to remove all technical barriers to Trade within the EEC for certain Pressure Equipment. It achieves this by ensuring that all relevant product entering the market place is “Safe”. This Directive became a mandatory in the EEC 29th May 2002. From this date no Pressure Equipment that is covered by the PED with a working pressure of 0.5 bar above ambient, with a few minor exceptions, can legally be put on The Market any where in the EEC, unless it conforms to the PED & is CE Marked. The CE mark demonstrates conformity to the PED. The PED addresses Pressure Equipment as “Assemblies” & pressure components making up the assembly must conform to the PED in their own right. Thus Luxfer’s cylinders are pressure components & must conform to the PED & be CE Marked.

The PED contains no requirements for Re-testing or refurbishment of Pressure Equipment. At the present time National Regulations apply for these activities.

2) The CE Mark.

A cylinder that is shown to conform to the requirements of the PED can be CE Marked. The CE mark, placed on the cylinder by or with the expressed authority of the Notified Body, is the definitive final proof that a cylinder conforms to the PED

3) What is Included in the PED ?

With respect to Gas Cylinders the following fall under the PED requirements:

• Fire Extinguishers.
• SCUBA cylinders
• SCBA cylinders
• pressure accessories eg; Valves etc.

Other types of Gas Cylinders will be covered by The Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive (TPED).

4) What does the PED mean to You ?:

For you, our Customers the PED will mean:

• Ability to sell products across EEC boarders unhindered by national rules & customs.
• A uniform inspection process through a single Notified Body.

5) The Notified Body :

A Notified Body is an inspection organisation that has been Audited by an approved & designated National Body , for example in the UK this is UKAS , to approve its competency in relation to the PED. The Notified Body Registered as such with The European Commission’s Head Quarters in Brussels via the DTi. A Notified Body is a powerful agency that deems compliance, via a process known as Conformity Assessment, or other wise of an item of Pressure Equipment. A Notified Body is universally acceptable through out the EEC. A Member State cannot dictate which Notified Body it will accept.

6) How is Conformity to the PED Achieved ?:

Conformity to the PED is achieved by demonstrable compliance with a mandatory list of requirements known as the Essential Safety Requirements (ESR’s). This is achieved in conjunction with a Notified Body who will carry out the appropriate Conformity Assessment. The ESR’s address the aspects of Quality Assurance Systems, Design, Materials, Manufacturing ,Testing & Risk Assessment.

The PED gives various routes to achieve conformity via a series of conformity “Modules”. The appropriate Modules depend on the defined Category of the pressure equipment (dependent on pressure & volume considerations). For Luxfer Cylinders most come under Category III & the reminder under Category IV. Portable fire extinguishers are given specific mention & are defined as Category III as a minimum.

Luxfer have selected Modules B1 + D for Category 3 Cylinders & Modules B + D for Category IV Cylinders.

8) Additional Information about the PED :

The following Web Sites provide further detailed official information :

http://ped.eurodyn.com

http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1999/19992001.htm

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