SPVD CERTIFICATION MODULES

SPVD MODULE SELECTION

SPVD COMPLIANCE PATHWAYS

How Do Indian and Global Manufacturers Choose the Right SPVD Conformity Assessment Module? B, C, C1 & C2

By First Welding Certification Technical Editorial Team

08 Min Read

16 Sep 2026

Which SPVD Conformity Assessment Module Fits Your Vessel?

Module B

EU-Type Examination

Module C

Conformity to Type

Module C1

Supervised Vessel Testing

Module C2

Random Supervised Checks

A manufacturer may design a pressure vessel correctly use the material, finish welding pass a pressure test and still encounter a problem when trying to enter the European market.

Why?

Because technical quality alone does not prove that the pressure vessel meets the Simple Pressure Vessels Directive (SPVD) 2014/29/EU.

Manufacturers often face questions such as:

Does my vessel actually fall under SPVD?
Is SPVD certification required?
What is the difference between Module B, C, C1 and C2?
How is PS × V calculated?
When is a Notified Body involved?
Does an air receiver fall under SPVD?
What documents are required?
When can the CE marking be applied?

The solution is to decide the route, before production instead of trying to finish compliance after the product is made.

What Is SPVD 2014/29/EU?

The Simple Pressure Vessels Directive 2014/29/EU sets rules for the design, manufacture and conformity assessment of simple pressure vessels sold in the EU market. The Directive covers series‑manufactured welded vessels that are intended for air or nitrogen and that meet its scope conditions.

For manufacturers the first question should therefore be:

“Does this vessel fall, within SPVD 2014/29/EU?”

Only after you have established that the vessel falls within SPVD 2014/29/EU should you choose the conformity assessment route.

Why Do Manufacturers Struggle With Module Selection?

Common problems include:

Problem	What can go wrong?
Wrong Directive	SPVD and PED requirements may be confused
Wrong module	Incorrect conformity assessment route
PS × V not calculated	Wrong assessment category
Late documentation	Missing technical evidence
Welding records incomplete	Difficulty demonstrating production conformity
Material traceability gaps	Manufacturing evidence becomes incomplete
Testing records missing	Assessment delays
CE marking considered too early	Compliance process is incomplete

The practical solution is to build compliance into the product-development and manufacturing sequence.

First Check: Does the Vessel Fall Under SPVD?

Before discussing Module B, Module C, Module C1 or Module C2, check the basic product characteristics.

Problem	What can go wrong?
Wrong Directive	SPVD and PED requirements may be confused
Wrong module	Incorrect conformity assessment route
PS × V not calculated	Wrong assessment category
Late documentation	Missing technical evidence
Welding records incomplete	Difficulty demonstrating production conformity
Material traceability gaps	Manufacturing evidence becomes incomplete
Testing records missing	Assessment delays
CE marking considered too early	Compliance process is incomplete

The practical solution is to build compliance into the product-development and manufacturing sequence.

Calculate PS × V

For ships that are covered by Article 13 PS multiplied by V is a decision point. PS means the maximum working pressure in bar, V means the container capacity in litres

Example

If:
PS = 10 bar
V = 30 litres

Then:

PS multiplied by V = 10 multiplied by 30 = 300 bar·L
The container therefore is in the range of than 200 to less than or equal, to 3,000 bar·L.
The routes that apply under Article 13 are:

PS × V	Conformity-to-type route
> 3,000 bar·L	C1
> 200 to ≤ 3,000 bar·L	C1 or C2
> 50 to ≤ 200 bar·L	C1 or C

These routes follow Module B EU-type examination before the vessel is made, for vessels that’re above 50 bar·L then the correct way to check if the vessel meets the rules is done before it is sold.

What Is Module B?

Module B means EU-Type Examination

For vessels where PS multiplied by V is than 50 bar·L Article 13 says EU-type examination has to happen before the vessel is built. Module B checks if the vessels design meets the rules that are in place for pressure equipment.

Depending on the situation Module B can include:

documents
Design details
Design calculations
Applicable rules
Evidence to support the design
Testing of a sample if needed
Materials used
Welding details
Test results

The Directive has Module B – design type and Module B – production type options based on how the vessel is made and if the standard rules are used.

Easy to understand

Module B = “Does the design of the vessel follow the rules?”

What Are Modules C, C1 and C2?

Once the correct type is known the manufacturer goes to the way to check if the vessel meets the rules.

Module C
Module C means checking against the type using the manufacturers control during production.
The manufacturer makes sure that all the vessels made are the same as the type in the EU-type examination certificate.

Module C1
Module C1 means using the manufacturers control plus tests on the vessels that are done while someone is watching.
It adds tests on the vessels to the process of controlling the production.

Module C2
Module C2 means using the manufacturers control plus checks, on the vessels that happen at random times.
This adds checks that are done at times as set out in the checking process.

Module Comparison

Module	Main Purpose
B	EU-type examination
C	Conformity to type + internal production control
C1	Conformity to type + supervised vessel testing
C2	Conformity to type + random supervised vessel checks

SPVD Conformity Assessment Process

SPVD Standards & Module Selection Flow

Identify the vessel
↓
Confirm SPVD applicability
↓
Identify PS and V
↓
Calculate PS × V
↓
Is PS × V > 50 bar·L?
↓
EU-Type Examination. Module B
↓
Determine conformity-to-type route
↓
>3,000 bar·L → C1
>200–3,000 bar·L → C1 or C2
>50–200 bar·L → C1 or C
↓
Manufacturing controls + testing
↓
Technical documentation
↓
EU Declaration of Conformity
↓
CE Marking
↓
EU Market Placement

SPVD sequence follows the structure of Article 13 and the conformity assessment procedures, in Annex II.

What Technical Evidence Should Manufacturers Prepare?

SPVD Standard goes beyond getting a final test certificate. Manufacturers must keep technical and production records during the entire manufacturing process. This includes things like vessel drawings and design calculations, material identification and traceability records welding procedures and their qualification records, welder or operator qualifications, manufacturing and inspection records pressure-testing reports, technical documentation, conformity assessment records the EU Declaration of Conformity and CE marking information. The Directive also sets out rules, about welding processes, qualified welders or operators and proof of weld-quality testing. For manufacturers who want to improve their welding-quality processes EN ISO 3834 Certification is a standard that fits well with their SPVD aasessment.

Welding documentation is particularly important for welded pressure vessels. Manufacturers should maintain records for welding procedures, qualification of welding processes and qualified welding personnel as required for the applicable production and conformity assessment route. Where welding procedures require qualification manufacturers can refer to WPS & WPQR Qualification to establish the required welding procedure qualification in accordance with standards such, as EN ISO 15614.

SPVD Certification for Indian and Global Manufacturers

For manufacturers in India and other countries SPVD compliance must be checked before finishing production. Even if a manufacturer builds a good vessel selling it in the EU also requires meeting the rules of Directive 2014/29/EU and finishing the proper conformity assessment. This Directive covers pressure vessels that go to the EU market no matter if the maker is, in India, Europe, Asia, the Middle East or anywhere else. This includes things like vessel drawings and design calculations, material identification and traceability records welding procedures and their qualification records, welder or operator qualifications, manufacturing and inspection records pressure-testing reports, technical documentation, conformity assessment records the EU Declaration of Conformity and CE marking information. The Directive also sets out rules, about welding processes, qualified welders or operators and proof of weld-quality testing. For manufacturers who want to improve their welding-quality processes EN ISO 3834 Certification is a standard that fits well with their SPVD compliance efforts.

Stage	Manufacturer's Key Question	Evidence / Output
1. Product Scope	Does the vessel fall under SPVD?	Product and scope assessment
2. Design	Does the design meet applicable requirements?	Drawings and calculations
3. PS × V	What is the applicable pressure-volume range?	PS × V calculation
4. Standards	Which applicable EN standard should be used?	Applicable standard reference
5. Conformity Route	Which procedure applies?	Module B + C/C1/C2, where applicable
6. Manufacturing	Is production controlled and traceable?	Manufacturing records
7. Welding & Testing	Are welding and testing requirements documented?	WPS/WPQR, qualification and test records
8. Technical File	Is the required evidence complete?	Technical documentation
9. Declaration	Has conformity been formally declared?	EU Declaration of Conformity
10. Market Placement	Is the product ready for the EU market?	CE marking and applicable documentation

India and International Manufacturers: What Changes?

The rules for safety do not change just because a product is made in a country. What matters most is whether the product falls under the SPVD rules and whether it will be sold in the EU market.
For an Indian manufacturer for example:

India Manufacturing Facility

→SPVD Applicability
→ Technical & Design Requirements
→ PS × V Assessment
→ Applicable Conformity Assessment
→ Production & Testing
→ Documentation
→ CE Marking
→ EU Market

For a manufacturer in any other country the same basic rules apply if the vessel is meant for sale, in the EU market. Paragraph 13 states which conformity assessment steps must be followed based on the vessels PS × V value.

What is the correct directive to follow: SPVD or PED?

A frequent challenge for companies that operate internationally is figuring out whether a pressure vessel is covered by SPVD 2014/29/EU or PED 2014/68/EU. These are two EU directives that have separate ranges and requirements for checking if they meet the rules to get better quality refer our article on PED vs SPVD: Understanding the Difference Between Pressure Equipment Directive and Simple Pressure Vessels Directive . SPVD is for pressure vessels that meet certain criteria. PED is, for pressure equipment that falls within its range. As a result companies need to decide which directive applies based on the features of the product before choosing a way to check if it meets the rules.For manufactures to get clarity on this refer our PED Certification scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SPVD 2014/29/EU?

SPVD 2014/29/EU is the EU Simple Pressure Vessels Directive that covers the design, manufacture and conformity assessment of qualifying pressure vessels.

What are the SPVD certification requirements for pressure vessels?

They can include design requirements, materials, manufacturing controls, welding, inspection, testing, technical documentation, conformity assessment and CE-marking requirements.

What is the SPVD notified body role?

Depending on the conformity assessment procedure a Notified Body can perform the relevant EU-type examination or supervised conformity assessment activities. The Directives Annex II defines the responsibilities associated with the modules.

What is EN 286-1 in relation to SPVD?

EN 286-1 is a standard, for certain simple pressure vessels. Its applicability should be checked against the harmonised-standard framework and the actual vessel design and scope.

What documents are required for SPVD CE marking?

Depending on the procedure documentation can include technical design information, drawings, calculations, materials information, welding documentation, test reports, manufacturing records, conformity assessment evidence and the EU Declaration of Conformity.

Conclusion

Selecting the SPVD conformity assessment route should not begin with choosing Module C, C1 or C2.

It should begin with a sequence:

Confirm the product scope → calculate PS × V → complete Module B where required → determine C/C1/C2 → control manufacturing → complete testing and documentation → complete conformity assessment → prepare the EU Declaration of Conformity → apply CE marking.

For international manufacturers this chronological approach can make SPVD certification, technical documentation and EU market preparation much easier to manage.

Related Resources

Choose the SPVD Conformity Assessment Route for Your Pressure Vessel

Thinking about putting a qualifying simple pressure vessel on the European market? First Welding Certification Pvt Ltd (PRVÁ ZVÁRAČSKÁ, a.s.) provides conformity assessment for the SPVD 2014/29/EU requirements, including the Module B, C, C1 and C2 procedures that are relevant. Manufacturers need to decide on the route based on the SPVD scope the products PS × V, the technical documentation the manufacturing controls and the testing requirements.

For SPVD certification in India and, in international manufacturing markets get in touch with First Welding Certification Pvt Ltd to talk about your vessel and the conformity assessment requirements that apply to you.