Official Reference
SI 2016 No. 1092
Technically the same as Europe’s Directive 2014/29/EU (previously 2009/105/EC & the original 87/404/EEC)
Date of Enforcement
The Regulations, in their current form, came into force on the UK’s official Exit Day from EU: 31 January 2020.
Prior to that, the EU Directive was in force with the following dates:
- The original SPV came into force on 01/07/1990
- The first revision came into force on 08/10/2009
- The current edition came into force on 20/04/2016
Scope
For a vessel to fall into the scope of this Regulation, it must meet all of the following categories:
- Unfired
- Cylindrical welded construction
- Constructed of certain grades of steel or aluminium
- Intended to contain nitrogen or air
- Gauge pressure greater than 0.5 bar
- Produced in series
The scope also has limits on the maximum working pressure and temperature as well as the types of end to the vessel. If these limits are exceeded, the vessel falls into the scope of the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations (PER).
Pressure vessels with the following particular use are excluded:
- Nuclear use
- Use in the propulsion of ships and aircraft
- Fire extinguishers
Products are either in scope and must be UKCA marked or they are outside the scope and may not be UKCA marked. There is no legal means whereby an excluded product can be UKCA marked. HPi-CEproof will confirm, on application, if your product is excluded.
The detailed technical characteristics of the design, materials, production and testing are not laid down in the Regulations but in standards. Standards have been especially written to support the equivalent EU directive and are also adopted for the UK regulations. These standards, which must be adopted by all EU member states, are known as harmonised standards in Europe and designated standards in UK.
Conformity with designated/harmonised standards is required for this Regulation/Directive. If they are not, the product is not “simple” and falls into the scope of the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations.
The latest edition of the SPV has increased the range and choice of Conformity Assessment Modules that define what documentation needs to be compiled and to what extent a Approved Body should be involved. HPi-CEproof will advise on the options upon application.
