The Simple Pressure Vessels Directive 2014/29/EU Simple Pressure Vessels Directive regulates the safe placing on the market of simple pressure vessels used to store non-flammable gases such as compressed air or nitrogen, within specified pressure and volume limits. The primary objective of the directive is to prevent risks such as explosion, leakage, and loss of structural integrity, particularly in commonly used vessels like air receiver tanks. Compared to the Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU Pressure Equipment Directive, this regulation has a narrower and more simplified scope.
In Türkiye, Directive 2014/29/EU is implemented under the title “Simple Pressure Vessels Regulation,” and CE marking is mandatory. The competent authority is the Ministry of Industry and Technology. The manufacturer or importer is responsible for demonstrating that the product complies with the requirements of the regulation. Depending on the risk level, a Notified Body may be involved in the conformity assessment process; for low-risk vessels, manufacturer self-declaration may be sufficient, whereas for higher-risk vessels, type examination and production surveillance are required. Products cannot be placed on the market without CE marking and an EU Declaration of Conformity.
From a testing and inspection perspective, the directive does not provide detailed formulas; however, it mandates minimum verification activities to demonstrate the safety of the vessels. A hydrostatic pressure test performed after manufacturing is used to verify that the vessel remains leak-tight and free from permanent deformation under the specified test pressure. In the case of welded construction, visual inspection of welds is carried out, and where necessary, non-destructive testing methods are applied to detect surface or volumetric defects. In addition, the conformity and traceability of materials are verified through certification. The aim is not complex analytical calculations but rather the practical confirmation that the vessel operates safely.
Technical compliance is generally demonstrated through harmonized standards. The primary reference for simple pressure vessels is the EN 286 series, which covers design, manufacturing, and testing requirements. For material certification, EN 10204 is used, while EN ISO 15614 and EN ISO 9606 apply to welding procedures and welder qualifications, respectively. For NDT personnel qualification, EN ISO 9712 is widely used.