The Simple Pressure Vessels Directive governs a tightly defined family of welded vessels that hold air or nitrogen under pressure.

It applies to manufacturers, authorised representatives, importers and distributors of series-made welded vessels in non-alloy steel or aluminium that are not fired. Nuclear, propulsion and fire-extinguisher vessels are excluded; anything outside the limits falls under PED.

A vessel is in scope above 0.5 bar. Pressure times capacity, PS times V, decides the route: above the threshold a notified body carries out EU-type examination of the design.

You design to the essential safety requirements, qualify welders and procedures, run final inspection and testing, engage a notified body where required, keep technical documentation, and draw up an EU declaration of conformity with CE marking and the prescribed inscriptions.

Conphora maps your vessels against SPVD, flags gaps in scope, conformity route, documentation, the declaration and CE marking, and alerts you when the rules change.

The full guide is at conphora.com.