Safety of pressure equipment

Examples of pressure equipment include vessels, piping, safety accessories and pressurised accessories. Where appropriate, the parts attached to the pressurised components, such as flanges, catches, joints, lifting lugs etc., are considered part of pressure equipment.

Everyday products and industrial products fall under this category.

The regulations and obligations listed below apply to pressurised equipment and to assemblies whose maximum allowable pressure (PS) exceeds 0.5 bar.

This equipment is very complex. It is divided into several categories, depending on the associated risks and dangers.

Laws and regulations

Obligations for the manufacturer or distributor

Laws and regulations

The general safety requirements for pressure equipment are described in the law of 9 February 1994 on the safety of products and services. The Royal Decree of 13 june 1999 concerning the placing on the market of pressure equipment supplements and specifies the requirements of this law.

Several products are excluded from laws and regulations when they do not pose a significant risk of pressure. These are listed in Article 3 of the Royal Decree of 13 June 1999 concerning the placing on the market of pressurised equipment.

Obligations for the manufacturer or distributor

Pour pouvoir être mis sur le marché ou être mis en service, les équipements sous pression doivent répondre aux critères suivants :

• carry CE marking.
  ‘CE’ marking must be affixed in a visible, easily legible and indelible manner on each item of pressure equipment or on each unit. It is not necessary to affix ‘CE’ marking on each individual item of pressure equipment making up a unit.
• have an EC declaration of conformity and, where applicable, declaration of EC type examination.
  Before placing on the market pressure equipment the manufacturer must submit each pressurised device to a compliance assessment procedure. This procedure demonstrates that the product meets essential safety regulatory requirements.
  The procedures involved in this assessment depend on the type of pressure equipment. The manufacturer may choose a valid procedure for the relevant category but they may also follow a procedure designed for a higher category. To this end, they may call on a Notified Body.
  The various procedures are listed in the Royal Decree of 13 June 1999 concerning the placing on the market of pressure equipment.
• come with usage instructions, maintenance instructions and safety requirements, all written in the language(s) of the linguistic region where the equipment is used.

Disputes and complaints

If you have a complaint about pressurised equipment, you can contact the FPS Economy's Directorate-General Control and Mediation.