97/23/EC

Pressure Equipment Directive

The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU (formerly 97/23/EC) of the EU sets out the standards for the design and fabrication of pressure equipment ("pressure equipment" means steam boilers, pressure vessels, piping, safety valves and other components and assemblies subject to pressure loading) generally over one litre in volume and having a maximum pressure more than 0.5 bar gauge. It also sets the administrative procedures requirements for the "conformity assessment" of pressure equipment, for the free placing on the European market without local legislative barriers. It has been mandatory throughout the EU since 30 May 2002, with 2014 revision fully effective as of 19 July 2016.

The Pressure Equipment Directive aims to guarantee free movement of the products in its scope while ensuring a high level of safety.
The implementation of the Directive is supported by a set of PED Guidelines and guidance documents:
Guidelines - pressure equipment directive 97/23/EC (related to the former PED)
Guidelines - pressure equipment directive 2014/68/EU
These guidelines are not legally binding – instead, they help to ensure that the directive is applied consistently.
Brexit
Notice to stakeholders - Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and EU rules in the field of industrial products

Technical documentation and EU declaration of conformity
The technical documentation provides information on the design, manufacture, and operation of a product and must contain all the details necessary to demonstrate the product conforms to the applicable requirements.
If you are the manufacturer, there are certain rules that must be followed when placing a product on the market; you must:
prepare the technical documentation before placing a product on the market ensure the technical documentation is made available to the market surveillance authorities (should they request to see it) as soon as the product is placed on the market keep the technical Documentation for 10 years from the date the product is placed on the market (unless explicitly specified otherwise)
The technical documentation is necessary to prove the product meets the essential requirements and therefore justify and support an EU declaration of conformity. You need this documentation in order to affix the CE marking to the product.
How to draw up the technical documentation?
The technical documentation should include at least:
your name and address, or those of any authorised representatives
a brief description of the product
identification of the product, for example, the product's serial number
the name(s) and address(es) of the facilities involved in the design and manufacture of the product the name and address of any notified body involved in assessing the conformity of the product
a statement of the conformity assessment procedure that has been followed
the EU declaration of conformity
label and instructions of use
a statement of relevant regulations to which the product complies
identification of technical standards with which compliance is claimed
list of parts
test results