The harmonised standards, the references of which were published yesterday in the Official Journal, provide solutions for compliance and confer a presumption of conformity with the relevant essential health and safety requirements of the pressure equipment directive 97/23/EC.

 In the case of a harmonised supporting standard for materials, presumption of conformity to the essential safety requirements is limited to technical data of materials in the standard and does not presume adequacy of the material to a specific item of equipment.

The application of harmonised standards that give a presumption of conformity remains voluntary. The manufacturer can choose any other technical solution but he must demonstrate that his product is in conformity with the mandatory safety requirements.