Directive 2014/68/EU of the European Parliament and of the CouncilDangos y teitl llawn

3. Quality system

3.1. The manufacturer shall lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with the notified body of his choice for the pressure equipment concerned.

The application shall include:

• the name and address of the manufacturer and, if the application is lodged by the authorised representative, his name and address as well,

• a written declaration that the same application has not been lodged with any other notified body,

• all relevant information on the pressure equipment type envisaged,

• the documentation concerning the quality system,

• the technical documentation of the approved type and a copy of the EU-type examination certificate.

3.2. The quality system shall ensure that the pressure equipment is in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and comply with the requirements of this Directive that apply to it.

All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. This quality system documentation shall permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records.

It shall, in particular, contain an adequate description of:

• the quality objectives and the organisational structure, responsibilities and powers of the management with regard to the quality of the pressure equipment,

• the corresponding manufacturing, quality control and quality assurance techniques, processes and systematic actions that will be used, particularly the procedures used for the permanent joining of parts as approved in accordance with point 3.1.2 of Annex I,

• the examinations and tests that will be carried out before, during and after manufacture, and the frequency with which they will be carried out,

• the quality records, such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data, reports concerning the qualifications or approvals of the personnel concerned, particularly those of the personnel undertaking the permanent joining of parts and the non-destructive tests in accordance with points 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of Annex I, etc., and

• the means of monitoring the achievement of the required quality and the effective operation of the quality system.

3.3. The notified body shall assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in point 3.2.

It shall presume conformity with those requirements in respect of the elements of the quality system that comply with the corresponding specifications of the relevant harmonised standard.

In addition to experience in quality management systems, the auditing team shall have at least one member with experience of evaluation in the relevant pressure equipment field and pressure equipment technology concerned, and knowledge of the applicable requirements of this Directive. The audit shall include an inspection visit to the manufacturer’s premises.

The auditing team shall review the technical documentation referred to in point 3.1, fifth indent, to verify the manufacturer’s ability to identify the relevant requirements of this Directive and to carry out the necessary examinations with a view to ensuring compliance of the product with those requirements.

The decision shall be notified to the manufacturer. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the audit and the reasoned assessment decision.

3.4. The manufacturer shall undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to maintain it so that it remains adequate and efficient.

3.5. The manufacturer shall keep the notified body that has approved the quality system informed of any intended change to the quality system.

The notified body shall evaluate the proposed changes and decide whether the modified quality system will continue to satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.2 or whether a reassessment is necessary.

It shall notify the manufacturer of its decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the examination and the reasoned assessment decision.