UK Statutory Instrument
2016
United Kingdom
Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
133 compliance obligations, 3 practical guides
Penalty landscape
2 of 133 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 131 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Plus 19 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Supporting — topic alignment
3 guidesWhat this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — Preliminary
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Citation and commencement
Interpretation
Designated standard
Pressure equipment and assemblies
Excluded pressure equipment and assemblies
Exception for trade fairs, exhibitions and demonstrations
Pressure equipment and assemblies subject to essential safety requirements
(1) The following assemblies which include at least one item...
Requirement for pressure equipment and assemblies to comply with sound engineering practice
Power to reclassify pressure equipment and assemblies
Part 2 — Obligations of economic operators
Browse 35 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Design and manufacture in accordance with essential safety requirements
Technical documentation and conformity assessment
Declaration of conformity and UK marking
Duty to keep technical documentation and ... declaration of conformity
Labelling of pressure equipment and assemblies
Instructions and safety information
Compliance procedures for series production
Monitoring
Duty to take action in respect of pressure equipment or assemblies placed on the market which are considered not to be in conformity
Provision of information and cooperation
Manufacturer's authorised representatives
Prohibition on placing on the market pressure equipment or assemblies which are not in conformity
Requirements which must be satisfied before an importer places pressure equipment or assemblies on the market
Prohibition on placing on the market pressure equipment or assemblies considered not to be in conformity with the essential safety requirements
Information identifying importer
Instructions and safety information
Storage and transport
Monitoring
Duty to take action in respect of pressure equipment or assemblies placed on the market considered not to be in conformity
Retention of technical documentation and EU declaration of conformity
Provision of information and cooperation
Duty to act with due care
Requirements which must be satisfied before a distributor makes pressure equipment or assemblies available on the market)
Storage and transport
Prohibition on making available on the market where pressure equipment or assemblies are not considered to be in conformity with essential safety requirements
Duty to take action in respect of pressure equipment made available on the market which are not in conformity
Provision of information and cooperation
Cases in which obligations of manufacturers apply to importers and distributors
Translation of ... declaration of conformity
Identification of economic operators
Prohibition on improper use of UK marking
Obligations which are met by complying with the obligations in the Directive
Conformity assessment procedure obligation which is met by complying with the Directive.
Further use of the UK marking
Qualifying Northern Ireland Goods
Part 3 — Conformity assessment
Browse 14 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Presumption of conformity
Conformity assessment procedures
(1) The manufacturer must follow one of the following conformity...
Power to amend applicable module
(1) The approved body or user inspectorate must, when performing...
In the case of one-off production of vessels and pressure...
For the assessment of conformity of assemblies referred to in...
Regulations 41 to 45 do not apply to pressure equipment...
The records and correspondence relating to conformity assessment must be...
EU Declaration of conformity
UK marking
UK(NI) indication
Register of notified bodies established in the United Kingdom
European approval for materials
Part 4 — Notification of conformity assessment bodies
Browse 15 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Approved bodies
Recognised third party organisations
User inspectorates
Approval of conformity assessment bodies
Approval of approved bodies
Approval of recognised third party organisations
Approval of user inspectorates
Presumption of conformity of conformity assessment bodies
Monitoring
Restriction, suspension or withdrawal of approval (approved bodies and recognised third party organisations)
Restriction, suspension or withdrawal of approval (user inspectorates)
Operational matters in relation to approved bodies, recognised third party organisations and user inspectorates
Subsidiaries and contractors
Register of approved bodies
United Kingdom Accreditation Service
Part 5 — Market surveillance and enforcement
Browse 21 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Designation of market surveillance authority
Enforcement
Enforcement powers
Exercise of enforcement powers
Evaluation of pressure equipment or assemblies presenting a risk
Enforcement action in respect of pressure equipment or assemblies which are not in conformity and which present a risk
EU safeguard procedure
Pressure equipment or assemblies which are in conformity, but present a risk
Enforcement action in cases of formal non-compliance
Restrictive measures
Offences
Penalties
Defence of due diligence
Liability of persons other than principal offender
Time limit for prosecution of offences
Service of documents
Recovery of expenses of enforcement
Action by enforcing authority
Appeals against notices
Appropriate court for appeals against notices
Compensation
Part 6 — Miscellaneous
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Review
Transitional provisions
Transitional provision in relation to EU Exit
For the purposes of these Regulations, a certificate issued, or...
Revocations, amendments and savings
Schedule 12 (Consequential amendments and revocations) has effect.
Schedules
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and keep declaration of conformity for 10 years
The manufacturer shall lodge an application with a single approved...
- Apply to an approved body for type examination of your pressure equipment
The approved body shall— (a) examine the technical documentation and...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved body must examine pressure equipment design and manufacturing Statutory regulator
Where the type meets the requirements of these Regulations, the...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved body must issue type examination certificate for compliant pressure equipment Statutory regulator
The Type examination-production type certificate shall— (a) include—
- Approved body must issue compliant type examination certificate with required details and 10-year validity
Where the type does not satisfy the applicable requirements of...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved body must refuse type certificate if requirements not met Statutory regulator
Technical documentation
- Establish and maintain technical documentation for pressure equipment
The approved body shall keep itself appraised of any changes...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved bodies must monitor technical changes and notify manufacturers if approval is at risk Statutory regulator
The manufacturer shall inform the approved body that holds the...
- Notify approved body of modifications to pressure equipment type
Each approved body shall inform the Secretary of State concerning...
- Approved bodies must report certificates issued/withdrawn and provide lists of refused/suspended/restricted certificates
Each approved body shall inform the other approved bodies concerning...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved bodies must inform each other about refused, withdrawn or suspended type examination certificates Statutory regulator
The approved body shall keep a copy of the Type...
- Keep type examination certificates and technical files until expiry
The manufacturer shall keep a copy of the Type examination-production...
- Keep type-approval certificate and technical documentation for 10 years
Manufacturing
- Ensure manufacturing process complies with technical documentation and regulations
The manufacturer shall lodge an application with a single approved...
- Lodge a conformity assessment application with an approved body and provide full technical documentation
The approved body shall— (a) examine the technical documentation and...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved body must examine design, test materials, and approve joining procedures Statutory regulator
Where the design meets the requirements of these Regulations, the...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved body must issue Type Examination–Design Type certificate when design complies Statutory regulator
Where the design does not satisfy the applicable requirements of...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved body must refuse Type certificate for non‑compliant designs and give reasons Statutory regulator
The approved body shall keep itself appraised of any changes...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved body must monitor design changes and notify manufacturers Statutory regulator
The manufacturer shall inform the approved body that holds the...
- Notify approved body of modifications to approved pressure equipment type
Each approved body shall inform its approved authority concerning Type...
- Approved bodies must report type examination decisions to their authority
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and keep declaration of conformity for pressure equipment
Each approved body shall inform the other approved bodies concerning...
- Approved bodies must inform others about refused or restricted certificates
The approved body shall keep a copy of the Type...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved body must retain type certificate and technical file until expiry Statutory regulator
The manufacturer shall keep a copy of the Type examination-design...
- Keep type-examination certificate and technical docs for 10 years
Manufacturing
- Ensure manufacturing process and monitoring maintain conformity with type examination certificate
Final assessment and pressure equipment check
- Choose an approved body for random checks and affix their ID number
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and keep declaration of conformity for 10 years
Manufacturing
- Operate an approved quality system for pressure equipment manufacturing
Quality system
- Apply for approved body assessment of your quality system for pressure equipment
Surveillance under the responsibility of the approved body
- Cooperate with approved body surveillance of pressure equipment manufacturing
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and keep conformity documents for 10 years
Technical documentation
- Establish and retain technical documentation for pressure equipment
Manufacturing
- Operate an approved quality system for manufacturing pressure equipment
Quality system
- Apply for assessment of your quality system by an approved body
Surveillance under the responsibility of the approved body
- Give approved body full access and information for surveillance checks
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and keep conformity records for 10 years
Manufacturing
- Operate approved quality system for final product inspection and testing
Quality system
- Apply for approval of your quality system and maintain it
Surveillance under the responsibility of the approved body
- Allow the approved body access and provide quality records for surveillance
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and keep conformity records for 10 years
Technical documentation
- Prepare and retain technical documentation for pressure equipment
Technical documentation
- Create and keep technical documentation for your pressure equipment
Quality system
- Have an approved quality system for pressure equipment
Surveillance under the responsibility of the approved body
- Allow approved body access and provide quality documentation
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking, draw up declaration of conformity, and keep records for 10 years
Manufacturing
- Manufacture pressure equipment to match the approved type and regulations
Verification
- Approved body must verify every item of pressure equipment against approved type
Verification of conformity by examination and testing of every item of pressure equipment or assembly
- Keep certificates of conformity for 10 years after placing equipment on market
Manufacturing
- Control your manufacturing process to match your design paperwork
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and draw up declaration of conformity for pressure equipment
Authorised representative
- You may delegate compliance duties to an authorised representative via a written mandate
Technical documentation
- Prepare and maintain technical documentation for pressure equipment
Manufacturing
- Control manufacturing process to ensure pressure equipment meets regulatory standards
Verification
- Approved body must verify pressure equipment and issue certificate of conformity
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and keep declaration of conformity for pressure equipment
Manufacturing
- Operate an approved quality system for pressure equipment manufacturing
Final assessment and pressure equipment, assembly, checks
- Perform final assessment of pressure equipment with approved body oversight
Quality system
- Apply for quality system assessment and maintain it
Surveillance under the responsibility of the approved body
- Cooperate with approved body surveillance – provide access, documentation and records
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and keep conformity documents for 10 years
Manufacturing
- Operate an approved quality system and ensure design examination
Quality system
- Apply to an approved body for quality system assessment
Design examination
- Apply for design examination of each new pressure equipment type
Surveillance under the responsibility of the approved body
- Allow approved body access and provide quality records for surveillance
UK marking and declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and keep conformity records for pressure equipment
(1) The obligations arising from the essential safety requirements listed...
- Analyse pressure hazards and design equipment for safety
Assemblies
- Assemble pressure equipment components correctly and reliably
Provisions for filling and discharge
- Design pressure equipment for safe filling and discharge
External fire
- Design pressure equipment to limit damage from external fire
Manufacturing procedures
- Ensure competent execution of design-stage manufacturing procedures
(1) Pressure equipment must be designed, manufactured and checked, and...
- Design and manufacture pressure equipment to ensure safety
Preparation of the component parts
- Prepare component parts without causing safety defects or cracks
Permanent joining
- Ensure permanent joints are defect‑free and made by qualified personnel
Final inspection
- Perform final inspection of pressure equipment before placing on market
General
- Design pressure equipment to be safe throughout its intended life
(1) Materials used for the manufacture of pressure equipment must...
- Use suitable materials for pressure equipment and keep certificates
Piping as referred to in regulation 6(c)
- Design and construct piping to control overstressing, fatigue, condensation and unintended discharge
(1) The following provisions apply as a general rule, but...
- Demonstrate equivalent safety where standard provisions are not applied
The permissible general membrane stress for predominantly static loads and...
- Keep general membrane stress within material-specific limits
Joint coefficients
- Use joint coefficients within limits based on testing regime
Design for adequate strength
- Design pressure equipment for adequate strength
Calculation method
- Ensure pressure equipment design uses safe stress limits and calculation methods
Provisions to ensure safe handling and operation
- Ensure safe handling and operation of pressure equipment
Means of draining and venting
- Provide adequate means for draining and venting pressure equipment
(1) In order to determine the appropriate category for classification...
- Classify pressure equipment using appropriate Annex II tables
(1) In order to determine the appropriate category for classification...
- Classify your pressure equipment using the correct table
A conformity assessment body must have at its disposal—
- Have skilled staff, clear procedures, and fair assessment methods
A conformity assessment body must have the means necessary to...
- Keep necessary resources and equipment for conformity assessment
The personnel responsible for carrying out conformity assessment activities must...
- Ensure conformity assessment staff are properly qualified and authorised
A conformity assessment body must be able to demonstrate the...
- Demonstrate impartiality of top management and assessment personnel
The remuneration of the top level management and the personnel...
- Do not link pay of assessment staff to number or results of assessments
A conformity assessment body must have, and must satisfy the...
- Have adequate civil liability insurance
A conformity assessment body must ensure that its personnel observe...
- Ensure personnel keep confidential information secret
A conformity assessment body must participate in, or ensure that...
- Stay informed of standardisation and apply coordination group guidance
A conformity assessment body must have legal personality and must...
- Be a legally recognised entity in UK or CPTPP territory
A conformity assessment body must be a third party body...
- Conformity assessment body must be independent third party
(1) A conformity assessment body, its top level management and...
- Conformity assessment bodies: avoid supply chain roles for pressure equipment
A conformity assessment body, its top level management and the...
- Conformity assessment bodies must stay independent of pressure equipment activities
A conformity assessment body, its top level management and the...
- Do not take on work that could compromise your impartiality or integrity
A conformity assessment body must ensure that the activities of...
- Oversee subsidiaries and subcontractors to protect confidentiality and impartiality
A conformity assessment body and its personnel must carry out...
- Perform conformity assessments with integrity and competence
A conformity assessment body must be capable of carrying out...
- Conformity assessment bodies must be capable of doing all authorised assessments
The personnel responsible for carrying out conformity assessment tasks must...
- Ensure conformity assessment staff are properly trained and competent
A user inspectorate must be able to demonstrate the impartiality...
- Demonstrate impartiality of management and avoid conflicts in inspection activities
The remuneration of the top level management and the personnel...
- Do not link remuneration to assessment numbers or results
Unless liability is assumed by the group of which it...
- User inspectorates must hold adequate civil liability insurance
A user inspectorate must ensure that its personnel observe professional...
- Ensure confidentiality of inspection information and protect proprietary rights
A user inspectorate must participate in, or ensure that its...
- User inspectorates must participate in standardisation and coordination activities
A user inspectorate must be organisationally identifiable and have reporting...
- Ensure your in-house inspection body is identifiable and demonstrably impartial
(1) A user inspectorate, its top level management and the...
- User inspectorate must not have conflicting roles in equipment they assess
A user inspectorate, its top level management and the personnel...
- User inspectorate must avoid involvement in pressure equipment lifecycle activities
A user inspectorate, its top level management and the personnel...
- User inspectorates must avoid conflicts of interest in conformity assessment
A user inspectorate and its personnel must carry out the...
- User inspectorates must act with integrity and technical competence
A user inspectorate must be capable of carrying out all...
- User inspectorate must be able to carry out all notified conformity assessment tasks
A user inspectorate must have at its disposal at all...
- User inspectorate must maintain qualified staff, documented procedures and business‑appropriate processes
A user inspectorate must have the means necessary to perform...
- User inspectorates must have the means and equipment to perform conformity assessments
An approved body, recognised third party organisation or user inspectorate...
- Carry out conformity assessments correctly and follow approved procedures
An approved body, recognised third party organisation or user inspectorate...
- Conformity assessment bodies must inform the Secretary of State of key events
An approved body, recognised third party organisation or user inspectorate...
- Include appeal rights in contracts with clients
An approved body, recognised third party organisation or user inspectorate...
- Share negative conformity assessment results with other approved bodies
An approved body, recognised third party organisation or user inspectorate...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Join and participate in the coordination group for approved bodies Statutory regulator
An approved body, recognised third party organisation or user inspectorate...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved bodies must carry out proportionate conformity assessments Statutory regulator
An approved body, recognised third party organisation or user inspectorate...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved bodies must consider business size and complexity in assessments Statutory regulator
An approved body, recognised third party organisation or user inspectorate...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Apply appropriate rigour and protection level during conformity assessment Statutory regulator
Where an approved body, recognised third party organisation or user...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved bodies must require corrective action and withhold certificate when safety requirements are not met Statutory regulator
Where, in the course of the monitoring of conformity following...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved/notified bodies must suspend or withdraw conformity certificates if equipment fails safety checks Statutory regulator
Where the approved body, recognised third party organisation or user...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Approved bodies must withdraw certificates if corrective measures fail Statutory regulator
Where this paragraph applies, the approved body, recognised third party...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Notify and hear representations before refusing/withdrawing certificates Statutory regulator
Modifications to the 1974 Act
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with a prohibition notice
Modifications to the 1978 Order
Unlimited fine- Carry on pressure equipment activities in breach of a prohibition notice
Compliance notice
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- OPSS may serve a compliance notice for non-compliant pressure equipment Statutory regulator
Recall notice
- Comply with a recall notice for pressure equipment or assembly
Browse 100 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
These Regulations do not apply to— (a) pipelines comprising piping...
General
Authorised representative
Authorised representative
Type examination–production type is the part of a conformity assessment...
Type examination–production type shall consist of an assessment of the...
Provision shall be made for an appeals procedure.
Other approved bodies may, on request, obtain a copy of...
The manufacturer's authorised representative may lodge the application referred to...
Type examination-design type is the part of a conformity assessment...
Type examination-design type shall consist of an assessment of the...
The experimental design method provided for at paragraph 6 of...
The application may cover several versions of the pressure equipment,...
The Type examination-design certificate type shall— (a) include—
Other approved bodies may, on request, obtain a copy of...
The manufacturer's authorised representative may lodge the application referred to...
General
Authorised representative
Authorised representative
General
Authorised representative
General
General
Authorised representative
General
Authorised representative
General
Manufacturing
Authorised representative
General
General
Authorised representative
General
Authorised representative
General
The references in the tables to categories of modules are...
(1) Where in order to mitigate the effects of very...
The safety accessories defined in paragraph 5, are classified in...
(1) The pressure accessories defined in paragraph 6, are classified...
(1) The demarcation lines in the following conformity assessment tables...
In this Schedule “safety accessories” are defined as follows—
In this Schedule “pressure accessories” are defined as follows—
Corrosion or other chemical attack
Wear
Protection against exceeding the allowable limits of pressure equipment
Safety accessories
Pressure limiting devices
Temperature monitoring devices
Non-destructive tests
Heat treatment
Traceability
Final assessment
Proof test
Inspection of safety devices
Marking and labelling
Operating instructions
In addition to the applicable requirements of Parts 1 to...
Fired or otherwise heated pressure equipment with a risk of overheating as referred to in regulation 6
Allowable stresses
Pressure limiting devices, particularly for pressure vessels
Hydrostatic test pressure
Material characteristics
Experimental design methods
Means of examination
Pressure equipment referred to in regulation 6 must be classified...
For the purposes of the classification referred to in paragraph...
In this Schedule, “the CLP Regulation” means Regulation (EC) No...
Pressure equipment referred to in regulation 6 (pressure equipment and...
For the purposes of the classification referred to in paragraph...
Where a vessel is composed of a number of chambers,...
An approved body or recognised third party organisation must meet...
Paragraph 16 does not prevent the personnel from providing information...
A user inspectorate must be established in the United Kingdom...
Paragraph 14 does not prevent the personnel from providing information...
Paragraph 9 applies where an approved body, recognised third party...
Enforcement powers under the 1987 Act
Modifications to the 1987 Act
Enforcement powers under the 1974 Act
Enforcement powers under the 1978 Order
Withdrawal notice
Interpretation
Name and address of the manufacturer and, where applicable, his...
This declaration of conformity is issued under the sole responsibility...
Object of the declaration (identification of pressure equipment or assembly...
The object of the declaration described above is in conformity...
References to the relevant designated standards used or references to...
Where appropriate, the name, address and number of the approved...
Additional information: Signed for and on behalf of: (place and...
Amendment of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Amendment of the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015
Amendment of the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
Amendment of the Consumer Rights Act 2015
Amendment of the Provision and Use of Equipment at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999
Amendment of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000
Amendment of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004
Amendment of the Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 9 Restrictions on Disclosure of Information)(Specification) Order 2004
Amendment of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform (Regulatory Functions) Order 2007
Amendment of the Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008
Amendment of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
Amendment of the Co-ordination of Regulatory Enforcement (Regulatory Functions in Scotland and Northern Ireland) Order 2009
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Vehicle Certification Agency (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- HSE: pressure equipment (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- OPSS: placing construction products on the market (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- UK law on the design and supply of products (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Personnel certification in non-destructive testing (PCN) scheme fraud (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Office for Product Safety and Standards
Product safety regulator responsible for ensuring consumer products are safe. Enforces product safety regulations, UKCA marking requirements, and works with market surveillance …
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