Certifications for exporting pressure equipment: ASME, PED and DNV
Certifications for exporting pressure equipment: ASME, PED and DNV
A pressure vessel can be designed and built to the highest standards and still not be ready for the market it is intended for. In the export of pressure equipment, the technical requirements, assessment procedures and documentation in fact change according to the country, the sector and the customer’s requirements.
PED, ASME and DNV are often mentioned together, but they do not serve the same function: the PED is a European directive, ASME Section VIII is a construction code, while DNV operates as an independent classification, verification and certification body.
Understanding these differences is the first step in setting up a project correctly. Let us begin.
Why certifications are decisive for exporting pressure equipment
Pressure equipment contains energy and calls for specific safety requirements. To access a market, therefore, it is not enough to guarantee good manufacturing: it is necessary to demonstrate that the design, materials, welds, checks, tests and documentation comply with the applicable framework.
Certification affects the entire order. It determines the calculation criteria, the production procedures, the involvement of third-party bodies, the marking and the documents to be supplied. Even equipment built to a recognised standard may require further checks or registrations in order to be accepted in a specific jurisdiction.
PED 2014/68/EU: the benchmark for the European market
The Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU (PED) governs the design, manufacture and conformity assessment of stationary pressure equipment with a maximum allowable pressure greater than 0.5 bar.
The aim is to ensure the safety and free movement of conforming products within the European Union.
The procedure depends on the risk category, defined by considering the type of equipment, the pressure, the volume or nominal diameter and the nature of the fluid. Depending on the category, the assessment module changes and the involvement of a notified body may be required.
Once conformity with the applicable requirements has been demonstrated, the manufacturer draws up the EU declaration of conformity and affixes the CE marking: this is the route commonly referred to as PED certification, and it involves the design, the materials, the welding processes, the checks and the traceability of the construction.
ASME Section VIII: the standard for the North American market
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code is an international benchmark for the construction of boilers and pressure vessels. Section VIII contains the rules dedicated to pressure vessels and is divided into several divisions.
Division 1 sets out requirements for the design, manufacture, inspection, testing and certification of vessels subject to internal or external pressure above 15 psig.
Division 2 provides alternative rules and more in-depth analysis methods for certain applications.
To obtain ASME certification and affix the relevant stamp, the manufacturer must hold the specific authorisation and operate with a quality system compliant with the Code, with the involvement of an Authorized Inspection Agency and its authorised inspectors.
ASME is particularly relevant in the North American market, but the requirements may change according to the jurisdiction, the sector, the customer and any local registrations.
DNV: certification for offshore and energy applications
DNV (Det Norske Veritas) carries out classification, verification and certification activities in the maritime, offshore, energy and industrial fields. For pressure equipment, it can perform design reviews, inspections and manufacturing assessments according to its own rules or with reference to international codes and directives.
Its involvement is particularly relevant when vessels, heat exchangers, valves, piping or pressure assemblies are intended for ships, offshore units, energy plants or projects in which the customer requires independent verification.
DNV also acts as a notified body for the PED and as an Authorized Inspection Agency for ASME. A request for DNV certification may therefore indicate the application of classification rules, a product certification, a design review or the body’s involvement within the scope of PED or ASME.
How certification changes according to the destination market
There is no single certificate automatically valid in every country and for every application. Depending on the destination, the bodies involved and the routes to follow change:
•European Union: PED and CE marking.
•North America: ASME, National Board and territorial registrations.
•Marine and offshore projects: the rules of a classification society such as DNV.
The contract and the customer’s specifications may also introduce further requirements. For this reason, from the earliest stages we analyse the destination, the operating conditions, the applicable code and the required documentation, coordinating design, procurement, manufacture and checks.
The certifications of Gruppo Baglioni
At Baglioni we design and build vessels in accordance with the applicable European directives and the main international standards.
Our portfolio includes:
•PED;
•ASME Section VIII Division 1 and Division 2;
•National Board Registration;
•Canadian Registration Number;
•marine registrations with DNV and other classification societies.
This experience allows us to support customers in developing equipment intended for different markets, identifying the conformity route consistent with the project and the final destination.
Discover all the certifications of Gruppo Baglioni.
Do you need to export a piece of pressure equipment and want to define the requirements and certifications correctly? Contact us.
