Manufacturers
Subject to certain exclusions, the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (on legislation.gov.uk)[1] make it an offence for a manufacturer or their authorised representative to place on the market, put into service or otherwise supply pressure equipment and assemblies above 0.5 bar unless they:
- are safe
- meet essential safety requirements covering design, manufacture and testing
- satisfy appropriate conformity assessment procedures and are accompanied by a declaration of conformity
- carry the appropriate conformity assessment marking and other required information in English
- are labelled with the (manufacturers) name, registered trade name or trademark and address, and the type, batch or serial number
- are accompanied by adequate instructions and safety information
Pressure equipment and assemblies within the scope of Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations but below specified pressure x volume thresholds must:
- be safe
- be designed and manufactured according to 'sound engineering practice'
- be accompanied by adequate instructions for use
- bear the appropriate markings
Importers
An importer is a person or business based in the UK who places pressure equipment and assemblies on the market in Great Britian (England, Scotland and Wales) from a country outside the UK.
Importers must:
- check that the manufacturer has carried out the relevant conformity assessment and has drawn up technical documentation
- check the pressure equipment or assembly has the appropriate conformity assessment marking
- not place the pressure equipment or assembly on the GB market if they have reason to believe is it not in conformity
- provide their (importers) name, registered trade name and postal address on the equipment or assembly or its packaging
- ensure the assembly or equipment is accompanied by adequate instructions
Distributors
A distributor is anyone in the supply chain, other than the manufacturer or the importer, who makes pressure equipment and assemblies available on the market in Great Britian (England, Scotland and Wales).
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Distributors must:
- take due care to ensure that pressure equipment and assemblies are in conformity and that the manufacturer and importer have met their obligations
- verify that the pressure equipment or assembly bears the appropriate conformity assessment marking, and is accompanied by the required documents, instructions and safety information, and that the manufacturer and importer have complied with their labelling and identification requirements
- not place pressure equipment or assembly on the GB market if they have reason to believe it is not in conformity
Further guidance for manufacturers, importers and distributors
There is further guidance on GOV.UK[2] covering the regulations and obligations for manufacturers, their authorised representatives, importers and distributors, including changes now that the UK has left the EU.
Exclusions
The regulations do not apply to equipment and assemblies:
- set out in schedule 1 to the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations (on legislation.gov.uk)[3]
- exhibited at trade fairs, subject to certain conditions
- placed on the market before 29 May 2002 and which complied with the requirements legally applicable for placing on the market before 28 November 1999
- assembled on site and under the control, and for the use, of the user