EU regulation
PED: pressure equipment, categories and CE marking
Overview
Short answer
Directive 2014/68/EU, PED, covers the design, manufacture and assessment of pressure equipment and assemblies with a maximum allowable pressure above 0.5 bar, subject to specified exclusions. Pressure, size, fluid and equipment type determine the next assessment. Not every product within scope receives CE marking under PED. Art. 1,4,13-14.
Legal status
Law in force
PED is in force. This review covers the consolidation of 30 May 2026 and amending Directive (EU) 2024/2749. The new emergency procedures are conditional; this article describes the ordinary product route.
Part 1
Start with the equipment and exclusions
PED covers equipment such as vessels, piping, safety accessories and pressure accessories. The threshold above 0.5 bar is an initial check, not a completed classification. Exclusions include simple pressure vessels covered by Directive 2014/29/EU. Read the product definition together with the relevant exclusion before selecting an assessment route. Art. 1-2.
Part 2
Classify using the correct inputs
Classification uses inputs including maximum allowable pressure PS, volume V or nominal size DN, fluid state and fluid group. Read Article 13 and the Annex II tables together with Article 4. Retain the inputs and selected table. The category of a similar vessel is not sufficient evidence for your own design. Art. 4,13; Annex II.
Part 3
When does sound engineering practice apply?
Equipment under Article 4(3) must follow sound engineering practice in a Member State and be accompanied by adequate instructions. It must not bear CE marking under PED. Other applicable EU legislation may nevertheless require CE marking. Clearly identify which legislation each marking and assessment refers to. Art. 4.3.
Part 4
Choose the procedure and assess the assembly
For categories I to IV, Article 14 specifies the permitted assessment procedures. Notified body involvement depends on the procedure. An assembly under Article 4(2) also requires an overall assessment covering the individual equipment, integration and protection against exceeding allowable limits. CE-marked components therefore do not by themselves establish assembly conformity. Art. 14; Annex III.
Part 5
Make evidence specific to the design
For equipment under Article 4(1) and (2), the manufacturer prepares technical documentation and an EU declaration after the relevant assessment. The manufacturer retains the documentation and declaration for ten years after placing on the market. Link drawings, material evidence, calculations and test results to the exact design and assessment procedure. Art. 6; Annex I,III.
Part 6
Handle changes and emergency provisions
A practical approach is to revisit classification and evidence when pressure, fluid, material or assembly design changes. Chapter 5a also introduces special emergency procedures from 2026. These require, among other conditions, an activated emergency mode, designated crisis-relevant goods and an applicable implementing act. They provide no general permission to skip ordinary assessment. Art. 6.4,43a-43e.
Checklist
Key takeaways
- Check the exclusions before classifying.
- Use PS, volume or DN and the correct fluid group.
- Sound engineering practice under Article 4(3) does not entail PED CE marking.
- Assemblies under Article 4(2) need a global conformity assessment.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Is 0.5 bar the CE-marking threshold?
No. Scope, exclusions and category require separate assessment. Art. 1,4,13.
Is PED the same as the rules for simple pressure vessels?
No. Vessels covered by Directive 2014/29/EU are excluded from PED. Art. 1.2(c).
Can component documents suffice for an assembly?
They support the assessment but do not replace the global assessment for assemblies under Article 4(2). Art. 14.6.
Does this article cover in-service inspections?
No. It addresses product requirements. Check national installation and use rules separately. Art. 1,3.2.
Further reading
Official sources
How Verca helps
How Verca can support the process
Verca can connect product structure and documentation to the correct product version. This provides a shared place for the evidence behind an assessment and makes changes easier to follow. The company remains responsible for identifying applicable requirements, evaluating evidence and making product decisions. Verca platform description.