3.1. Manufacturing procedures

The manufacturer shall ensure the competent execution of the provisions set out at the design stage by applying the appropriate techniques and relevant procedures, especially with a view to the aspects set out below. Preparation of the component parts (e.g. forming and chamfering) shall not give rise to defects or cracks or changes in the mechanical characteristics likely to be detrimental to the safety of the pressure equipment. Permanent joints and adjacent zones shall be free of any surface or internal defects detrimental to the safety of the equipment. The properties of permanent joints shall meet the minimum properties specified for the materials to be joined unless other relevant property values are specifically taken into account in the design calculations. For pressure equipment, permanent joining of components which contribute to the pressure resistance of equipment and components which are directly attached to them shall be carried out by suitably qualified personnel according to suitable operating procedures. For pressure equipment in categories II, III and IV, operating procedures and personnel shall be approved by a competent third party which, at the manufacturer’s discretion, may be: a notified body, a third-party organisation recognised by a Member State as provided for in Article 20. To carry out these approvals the third party must perform examinations and tests as set out in the appropriate harmonised standards or equivalent examinations and tests or shall have them performed. For pressure equipment, non-destructive tests of permanent joints shall be carried out by suitable qualified personnel. For pressure equipment in categories III and IV, the personnel shall be approved by a third-party organisation recognised by a Member State pursuant to Article 20. Where there is a risk that the manufacturing process will change the material properties to an extent which would impair the safety of the pressure equipment, suitable heat treatment shall be applied at the appropriate stage of manufacture. Suitable procedures shall be established and maintained for identifying the material making up the components of the equipment which contribute to pressure resistance by suitable means from receipt, through production, up to the final test of the manufactured pressure equipment.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-02 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.