CE MARKING
EU MARKET
SPVD 2014/29/EU
28 Sep 2026
SPVD 2014/29/EU for Malaysian Manufacturers: CE Marking and EU Market Access for Simple Pressure Vessels
By Editorial Team
Table Of Contents
- 1. What Is SPVD 2014/29/EU?
- 2. Which Pressure Vessels Are Covered by SPVD?
- 3. SPVD Requirements for Malaysian Manufacturers
- 4. CE Marking and Conformity Assessment for Simple Pressure Vessels
- How the conformity assessment process works
- What information must appear on a CE-marked vessel?
- 5. Technical Documentation and Welding Quality Requirements
- Essential technical documentation
- 6. Importer Responsibilities and EU Market Access
- 7. SPVD Compliance Checklist for Malaysian Manufacturers
- 8. Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion: Preparing Malaysian Pressure Vessels for EU Market Access
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1. What Is SPVD 2014/29/EU?
The Simple Pressure Vessels Directive (SPVD) 2014/29/EU sets safety standards for simple pressure vessels in the EU, which started on 20 April 2016. It replaced the previous Directive 2009/105/EC. The main goal is to make sure these vessels are made safely and can be sold freely in the EU. Malaysian companies that export items like air receivers and compressor tanks to the EU need to follow SPVD rules. All pressure vessels brought into the EU must meet safety requirements. This means they need proper safety checks, correct documents, and right labels before they can be sold there.
2. Which Pressure Vessels Are Covered by SPVD?
The SPVD 2014/29/EU regulation applies only to specific welded pressure vessels that are made in groups or batches, as outlined in the conditions of Article 1.
SPVD scope requirements
| Parameter | Requirement under Article 1 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Manufactured in series and welded |
| Intended contents | Air or nitrogen |
| Internal pressure | Greater than 0.5 bar gauge |
| Design | Not intended to be fired |
| Material | Non-alloy quality steel or specified non-alloy aluminium and non-age-hardening aluminium alloys |
| Maximum working pressure | 30 bar |
| Pressure-volume limit | PS × V must not exceed 10000 bar·L |
| Temperature — steel | -50°C to 300°C |
| Temperature — aluminium | -50°C to 100°C |
Directive 2014/29/EU does not apply to certain types of vessels, such as those used for nuclear purposes, handling ships or planes, and fire fighting. To calculate the pressure-volume product, you multiply the maximum working pressure (PS) in bar by the vessel’s volume (V) in liters. For example, if a vessel has a maximum working pressure of 10 bar and a volume of 100 liters, the product is 1,000 bar·L, which is under the 10,000 bar·L limit, as long as other conditions are also met.
3. SPVD Requirements for Malaysian Manufacturers
Malaysian manufacturers need to figure out which rules apply depending on the pressure and volume of the vessel and what it will be used for, keeping in mind the 50 bar·L limit mentioned in Article 4.
| Pressure-volume product | Main compliance requirement |
|---|---|
| PS × V ≤ 50 bar·L | Design and manufacture according to sound engineering practice in an EU Member State. |
| PS × V > 50 bar·L | Meet the essential safety requirements in Annex I and undergo the applicable conformity assessment procedure. |
For vessels with a capacity of more than 50 bar·L, manufacturers need to prepare technical documents, perform a conformity check, issue an EU Declaration of Conformity, and put the CE mark on the product if it meets the required standards. For vessels with a capacity of 50 bar·L or less, the CE mark is not needed under the SPVD, but they still need to follow correct engineering practices and marking rules. Malaysian exporters should not put the CE mark on products that do not meet the standards.
4. CE Marking and Conformity Assessment for Simple Pressure Vessels
The CE mark shows that a product follows EU laws.If a pressure vessel is simple and has a volume-pressure product over 50 bar·L, the maker must prove they follow the SPVD rules to get certified.
How the conformity assessment process works
The directive explains how to check if products meet the standards in Annex II. It includes methods like EU-type testing, product type verification, and ensuring good production quality. The right method depends on the product type and specific rules. Malaysian companies need to figure out which checks are needed before showing their products are compliant.
What information must appear on a CE-marked vessel?
Under Annex III, ships that are more than 50 bar·L need a CE mark and the last two numbers of the year the mark was made.The ship or the data plate must show this information.
| Required information | Description |
|---|---|
| Maximum working pressure | PS in bar |
| Maximum temperature | Tmax in °C |
| Minimum temperature | Tmin in °C |
| Vessel capacity | V in litres |
| Manufacturer identification | Name or registered trade mark and address |
| Product identification | Type and serial or batch number |
5. Technical Documentation and Welding Quality Requirements
Technical documents help make sure pressure vessels are safe; Malaysian makers need to keep records so they can prove they follow the rules.
Essential technical documentation
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Design drawings and calculations | Demonstrate the design meets applicable safety requirements. |
| Material specifications and certificates | Verify the materials used in pressure-retaining components. |
| Welding procedures and qualifications | Demonstrate that welding processes are suitable and qualified. |
| Inspection and testing records | Document required inspections examinations and tests. |
| Risk and safety information | Address relevant hazards and safe operating conditions. |
| EU Declaration of Conformity | Formally declares compliance with applicable EU legislation. |
Welding quality is very important for keeping the vessel strong and able to hold pressure. Manufacturers need to create good welding methods, make sure welders are properly trained and qualified, control the welding process, and keep records of inspections as required by the design rules. EN ISO 3834 gives general guidelines for welding quality, while specific product standards and SPVD rules set out the technical requirements. More details about WPS, WPQR requirements, and ISO 9712 certification for non-destructive testing personnel can be found.
6. Importer Responsibilities and EU Market Access
EU importers are required to follow certain rules under the SPVD, and Malaysian manufacturers need to know about these rules to create clear agreements with EU distributors and importers.
| Malaysian manufacturer | EU importer |
|---|---|
| Ensures the vessel meets applicable requirements | Verifies that conformity assessment has been carried out |
| Prepares technical documentation and the EU Declaration of Conformity | Checks that required markings and documents are available |
| Affixes the required CE marking and product identification | Provides importer identification and contact details as required |
| Maintains relevant compliance records | Cooperates with authorities and addresses identified non-compliance |
In the EU, makers and importers need to keep important documents for 10 years and be ready to show them if asked. The instructions for using a product and information about safety must be written in a language that people in the EU can easily understand. Malaysian companies should work with their EU partners to make sure everything like labels, paperwork, language, and rules follow what the EU requires.
7. SPVD Compliance Checklist for Malaysian Manufacturers
Use this checklist as a first step to check before sending simple pressure vessels to the EU.
| Checkbox | EU export readiness checklist |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Confirm the vessel falls within SPVD 2014/29/EU scope. |
| ☐ | Calculate PS × V and determine the applicable compliance category. |
| ☐ | Identify applicable harmonised standards and essential safety requirements. |
| ☐ | Prepare design drawings calculations and material documentation. |
| ☐ | Verify welding procedures and relevant personnel qualifications. |
| ☐ | Establish inspection testing and traceability records. |
| ☐ | Complete the applicable conformity assessment procedure. |
| ☐ | Prepare the EU Declaration of Conformity where required. |
| ☐ | Verify product markings instructions and safety information. |
| ☐ | Coordinate importer details and EU market documentation. |
This checklist is a helpful tool for planning, but it doesn’t replace the official instructions, consistent standards, or the evaluation done by a recognized body.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Does SPVD 2014/29/EU apply to Malaysian manufacturers?
Yes. SPVD applies to qualifying simple pressure vessels placed on the EU market, regardless of whether they are manufactured within or outside the EU. Malaysian manufacturers must meet the applicable requirements before exporting covered vessels to the EU.
Is CE marking mandatory for all simple pressure vessels?
No. Under SPVD, vessels with a PS × V product greater than 50 bar·L must meet the applicable essential safety requirements and conformity assessment provisions, including CE marking. Vessels at or below 50 bar·L are subject to sound engineering practice requirements and are not CE-marked under this directive.
Is SPVD the same as the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)?
No. SPVD 2014/29/EU covers a defined category of simple pressure vessels, while PED 2014/68/EU covers pressure equipment within its own scope. Manufacturers must determine which legislation applies based on the product’s design, intended use and technical characteristics.
Does a Malaysian manufacturer need an EU-notified body?
For vessels above 50 bar·L, the manufacturer must follow the applicable conformity assessment procedure, which involves a notified body where required by the selected module. The relevant notified body should be verified through the European Commission’s NANDO database.
How long must SPVD technical documentation be retained?
The directive generally requires manufacturers to keep the EU Declaration of Conformity and relevant technical documentation available for 10 years after the vessel is placed on the market, subject to the specific applicable provisions.
Conclusion: Preparing Malaysian Pressure Vessels for EU Market Access
SPVD 2014/29/EU sets rules for safety and paperwork for simple pressure vessels in the EU. Malaysian companies making these products need to make sure their items meet the rules, do the right checks, prepare all needed technical papers, ensure proper welding work, and add the right labels and safety info. By taking care of these things before making and sending the products, manufacturers can make the process smoother and avoid problems like missing documents or delays when trying to get into the EU market.