The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016

PART 4 Conformity to type based on internal production control (Module C)

18.  Conformity to type based on internal production control is a conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in paragraphs 19 and 20, and ensures and declares that the vessels concerned are in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.

Manufacturing

19.—(1) The manufacturer must take all measures necessary so that the manufacturing process and its monitoring ensure conformity of the manufactured vessels with the approved type described in the EU-type examination certificate and with the requirements of these Regulations that apply to them.

(2) Before commencing manufacture, the manufacturer must provide the notified body which issued the EU-type examination certificate with all necessary information, and in particular—

(a) the certificates relating to the suitable qualification of the welding operations and of the welders or welding operators;

(b) the inspection slip for the materials used in the manufacture of parts and components contributing to the strength of the vessel;

(c) a report on the examinations and tests performed;

(d) a document describing the manufacturing processes and all of the predetermined systematic measures taken to ensure conformity of the vessels with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate. That document must include—

(i) a description of the means of manufacture and checking appropriate to the construction of the vessels;

(ii) an inspection document describing the appropriate examinations and tests to be carried out during manufacture, together with the procedures in respect thereof and the frequency with which they are to be performed;

(iii) an undertaking to carry out the examinations and tests in accordance with the inspection document and to have a hydrostatic test or, subject to the agreement of the relevant authorities, a pneumatic test carried out on each vessel manufactured at a test pressure equal to 1,5 times the design pressure;

(iv) the addresses of the places of manufacture and storage and the date on which manufacture is to commence.

(3) The examinations and tests referred to in paragraph 19(2)(d)(iii) must be—

(a) carried out under the responsibility of qualified staff who are independent from production personnel; and

(b) the subject of a report.

(4) The notified body must, before the date on which any manufacture begins, examine the documents referred to in paragraph 19(2) in order to certify their conformity with the EU-type examination certificate.

CE marking and EU declaration of conformity

20.—(1) The manufacturer must affix the CE marking to each individual vessel that is in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfies the applicable requirements of these Regulations.

(2) The manufacturer must draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each vessel model and keep it at the disposal of the enforcing authority for a period of 10 years beginning on the day on which the vessel has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity must identify the vessel model for which it has been drawn up.

(3) A copy of the EU declaration of conformity must be made available to the enforcing authority upon request.