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PED Basics: Categories and Conformity Procedures
The PED classifies pressure equipment into categories according to the maximum allowable pressure (PS), the nominal size (DN), the state of the fluid (gas or liquid) and the fluid group (Group 1 for dangerous fluids, Group 2 for other fluids). The category determines how much independent checking is needed.
| Category | Risk Level | Typical Conformity Route |
|---|---|---|
| Sound engineering practice (SEP) | Very low | No CE marking under PED; valve must be safe, marked and accompanied by instructions |
| Category I | Low | Internal production control (Module A), declaration of conformity by manufacturer |
| Category II | Medium | Module A2, D1 or E1, with notified body involvement in part of the process |
| Category III | High | Module B plus D, F or E, or Module H, with notified body involvement |
| Category IV | Highest | Module G or H1, with comprehensive notified body involvement |
What decides the category of a valve
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Maximum allowable pressure (PS) | Higher pressure moves the valve into a higher category |
| Nominal size (DN) | Larger size means higher stored energy and a higher category |
| Fluid group | Dangerous fluids (Group 1) lead to higher categories than other fluids (Group 2) |
| Fluid state | Gases are treated more strictly than liquids |
| Valve type | Valves are classed as piping, so the piping tables of the directive apply |
Valves rated at PS of 0.5 bar or below are outside the directive. Small valves, depending on fluid and pressure, can fall under sound engineering practice, and for them CE marking under the PED does not apply. For each valve in your order, we can tell you the category, the module used and the documents that go with it, if you give us size, PS and medium.
Materials matter. The directive expects pressure-bearing parts to be made from materials listed in harmonised standards, covered by a European Approval for Materials, or assessed by a particular material appraisal. For this reason, we recommend EN grades, such as 1.4408, for CE-marked valves.
CE-Marked Valve Range and Related Components
CE compliance applies to individual products, so we maintain a list of models that can be supplied with CE marking, and tell you which sizes and ratings are covered. Typical examples are given below, but the actual availability depends on size, pressure and fluid group, so please confirm with us before ordering.
| Product | Typical Size Range | Typical Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Flanged ball valves, 2-piece and 3-piece | DN15 to DN200 | PN16, PN40 |
| Flanged gate valves | DN50 to DN400 | PN16, PN25, PN40 |
| Flanged globe valves | DN15 to DN250 | PN16, PN25, PN40 |
| Flanged check valves | DN15 to DN400 | PN16, PN25, PN40 |
| Wafer and lug butterfly valves | DN50 to DN600 | PN10, PN16 |
| Double offset butterfly valves | DN50 to DN600 | PN16, PN25, PN40 |
| Strainers | DN15 to DN300 | PN16, PN40 |
| Weld end and threaded valves | DN15 to DN100 | Per model, with PS stated |
What we can supply together with CE-marked valves
- Flanges, gaskets and bolting: EN 1092-1 flanges with matching gaskets and bolts, with their own material certificates.
- Actuators and accessories: the actuator is a separate product, with its own approvals under other directives, and we state this clearly.
- Spare parts kits: seats, seals and gaskets for maintenance.
- Documentation sets: declaration of conformity, instructions, material and test certificates in a ready-to-file pack.
If a model you need is not on our CE list, we can discuss whether it can be assessed, and what that would involve in time and cost.
Buyer tip: when requesting CE-marked valves, give DN, PS, TS, fluid group, fluid state and the destination country. With these six items, we can state the PED category, confirm whether CE marking applies, and name the documents that will come with the valves, before you commit to a quantity or a delivery date.
Harmonised Standards and Essential Safety Requirements
The directive itself describes goals, and harmonised standards give a practical way to meet them. If a valve is made to the relevant harmonised standard, it is presumed to conform to the corresponding essential safety requirements. Our CE valves are designed and tested to these standards.
| Area | Standard Reference |
|---|---|
| Directive | 2014/68/EU (Pressure Equipment Directive) |
| Valve shell design | EN 12516-1, EN 12516-2, EN 12516-3 |
| Butterfly valves | EN 593 |
| Check valves | EN 12334 |
| Gate valves | EN 1984 |
| Globe valves | EN 13709 |
| Ball valves | ISO 17292, EN ISO 17292 |
| Flanges | EN 1092-1 |
| Face-to-face | EN 558 |
| Pressure testing | EN 12266-1, EN 12266-2 |
| Marking | EN 19 |
| Materials | EN 10213 (castings), EN 10222-5 (forgings), EN 10088 (stainless), EN 10272 (bar) |
| Non-destructive testing | EN 12680, EN ISO 3452-1, EN ISO 17636 (as applicable) |
Materials outside the harmonised list. If a valve is made from an American grade such as ASTM A351 CF8M, a particular material appraisal is needed to use it in CE-marked pressure equipment. We therefore offer EN-certified grades for CE orders, and explain the difference to buyers who are not familiar with it.
Other regulations might also apply to your product, for example the Machinery Directive for automated valves, the Low Voltage Directive and EMC for electric actuators, or the ATEX Directive for explosive atmospheres. Please tell us the full scope of your requirements.
Reference note: harmonised standards are listed in the Official Journal of the European Union, and their status changes over time. Your importer or consultant may follow a particular list or edition. Tell us which one, and we will check that the design and test documents refer to the version that applies to your market.
The CE Documentation Pack
A CE-marked valve comes with documents that allow an importer, an installer and an inspector to see that the valve is compliant and can be put on the market. Below is what we normally prepare for each CE order, and what we say clearly about its limits.
- EU Declaration of Conformity: signed by the manufacturer, naming the directive, the standards used, the product, the conformity module and, where applicable, the notified body and its certificate number.
- CE marking on the valve or nameplate: followed by the notified body number where its involvement is required.
- Instructions for use: installation, operation, maintenance and safety information in English, and in the language of the destination country on request.
- Material certificate: EN 10204 3.1 for pressure-bearing parts, with reference to EN grades.
- Pressure test report: shell and seat tests per EN 12266-1.
- Technical file: design calculations, drawings, material list, test records and risk assessment, held by the manufacturer and available to authorities.
- Quality system certificate: where the chosen module relies on a notified body assessment of our quality system.
- Marking per EN 19: manufacturer name, DN, PN, material, heat number and CE mark.
Important to know. CE marking is not a certificate of quality, and a notified body does not test every valve. It shows that the manufacturer has followed the conformity procedure, with independent review of design or production where required. We recommend buyers to ask for the declaration of conformity and the notified body certificate before ordering.
Sample documents can be sent for review at the quotation stage.
Material Traceability and Technical File Control
The PED requires manufacturers to keep control of materials and production, and to be able to show the documents when an authority asks. Our traceability system is arranged around that requirement. Every pressure-bearing part can be traced to a certificate, and every valve can be traced to a production and test record.
- Approved suppliers: pressure-bearing material is bought from qualified suppliers, with EN 10204 3.1 certificates.
- Material identification: heat numbers are recorded and PMI checks confirm the grade.
- Marking on the valve: body carries heat number, material, DN, PN and manufacturer mark per EN 19.
- Weld control (where used): welding procedures, welder qualifications and NDE records are kept for welded parts.
- Test records: pressure test reports are linked to serial numbers.
- Technical file: kept for at least ten years after the last valve of the model is placed on the market, as required by the directive.
| Element | Record | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-bearing parts | Heat number and 3.1 certificate | Proof of material and grade |
| Welds | WPS, welder approval, NDE | Proof of weld quality |
| Test | Pressure test report with serial number | Proof of leak tightness |
| Design | Calculation and drawings | Proof of strength |
| Declaration | EU Declaration of Conformity | Legal evidence of compliance |
| Technical file | Complete set of the above | Available to authorities for ten years |
If a customer or an authority asks for the technical file or a part of it, we respond through the legal channel, and keep trade secrets protected under confidentiality agreements.
Why ten years? The directive expects the manufacturer to keep the technical documentation available for authorities for at least ten years after the last piece of the model has been placed on the market. We have a retention system for this, and we can confirm the retention period in writing for your own compliance file.
Testing Required for CE-Marked Valves
Testing under the PED focuses on pressure containment and leak tightness, backed by material and dimensional checks. The extent depends on the category and the conformity module. In practice, every CE-marked valve is pressure tested, and a notified body may witness or audit this process.
| Test | Typical Value or Method | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Shell test | Hydrostatic at 1.5 x PN, per EN 12266-1 | 100% of valves |
| Seat test, liquid | Hydrostatic at 1.1 x PN, with leakage rate stated | 100% of valves |
| Seat test, air | Low-pressure air under water | 100% of soft-seated valves |
| Material verification | PMI and review of 3.1 certificates | Incoming and sampling |
| Dimensional inspection | Wall thickness, flange drilling and face-to-face per design drawings | First article and sampling |
| NDE | Radiographic, dye penetrant or ultrasonic tests where specified | On request or when required by the category |
| Weld inspection | Visual and NDE for welded parts | Per procedure |
| Nameplate and marking check | Verification of EN 19 marking and CE mark | 100% of valves |
| Notified body audit | Audit of production and test, depending on module | Per notified body schedule |
Acceptance of leakage. EN 12266-1 allows different leakage rates. Many buyers specify rate A for soft-seated valves, meaning no visible leakage. We state the rate on the test report.
Notified bodies, importers or end users can attend tests. We schedule such visits in advance, and may arrange video connections if travel is not possible.
Reading the nameplate: a CE-marked valve should show the manufacturer, the type, the DN, the PN, the material and the CE mark, plus the notified body number where it applies. We offer to send a photo of the nameplate for approval before production, so your customs agent and importer can review it early.
Frequently Asked Questions about CE PED Certified Valves
Q: Do all valves need CE marking in Europe?
No. Valves with a maximum allowable pressure of 0.5 bar or less, and many small valves under certain size and pressure limits, fall outside CE marking under the PED, or under sound engineering practice. The category depends on size, pressure and fluid.
Q: What is a notified body?
It is an independent organisation designated by an EU member state to assess conformity. Examples include TUV, DNV and Lloyd's. The CE mark carries its number when it was involved in production control.
Q: Is CE marking the same as a quality certificate?
No. It shows that the manufacturer followed the conformity procedure of the directive. It does not mean that every valve was independently tested, but it shows a system of control and documentation.
Q: Can ASTM grade valves be CE marked?
They need a particular material appraisal to be used in PED pressure equipment. For this reason we recommend EN grades, such as 1.4408, for CE valves.
Q: What is a declaration of conformity?
It is a signed document in which the manufacturer states that the valve complies with the directive, listing the standards and the conformity module used. Importers keep a copy for authorities.
Q: Do actuated valves need extra CE documents?
The valve falls under the PED, and the actuator may fall under the Machinery, Low Voltage, EMC or ATEX directives depending on type. We tell you what documents apply to which component.
Q: What about UKCA for the United Kingdom?
UKCA is a separate marking scheme for Great Britain, with its own regulations. Please tell us if you need UKCA, and we will say what can be provided.
MOQ and Pricing for CE PED Certified Valves
CE-marked valves cost more than standard valves because of the extra design checks, material control, documentation and, where required, notified body fees. We state these items clearly in the quotation, so you can compare offers on the same basis.
| Item | Typical Terms |
|---|---|
| Sample order | 1 to 3 pieces per model |
| Standard MOQ | 20 to 50 pieces per size; larger valves from 1 piece |
| CE marking for a new model | Subject to design review; may require longer lead time and a minimum quantity |
| Notified body involvement | Fees charged at cost where a module requires it |
| Pricing basis | EXW, FOB Ningbo, CFR or CIF in USD or EUR |
| Quote validity | 30 days, adjusted for stainless steel price changes |
| Payment | 30% T/T deposit, 70% before shipment; L/C at sight for approved accounts |
What affects the price
- Category and module: higher categories need more assessment and documentation.
- Material: EN grade castings with 3.1 certificates cost more than generic ones.
- Testing and NDE: extended tests add cost.
- Documents and translations: instructions and declarations in additional languages are charged separately.
- Size and pressure: as for all valves, heavier designs cost more.
Budget for compliance early. Adding CE compliance at the end of a project is more expensive than planning it from the start. Tell us in your first inquiry that you need CE marked valves, and we will propose suitable models and a realistic price.
Ordering advice: group your CE needs into a few models and sizes where possible. Each model has its own technical file and, in some cases, its own notified body review. Fewer models mean lower cost and faster supply, and we are glad to suggest a simplified list that still covers your application needs.
Lead Time, Customisation, Packaging and Trade Terms
Lead time and stock
CE-marked valves from our approved model list typically ship in 25 to 40 days, since EN grade material and documents are prepared in parallel. New models, special sizes or orders needing notified body involvement can take 50 to 90 days. Please tell us the delivery date and the required documents at the inquiry stage.
Customisation
We can customise PN rating, flange drilling, face-to-face length, EN material grade, seat and seal, marking, nameplate, language of instructions and document format. For importers who sell under their own brand, we can discuss private-label supply, with the declaration of conformity and responsibility arrangements agreed in writing.
Packaging
- Flange faces protected by caps or covers
- Cartons with dividers, wooden cases or pallets for heavy valves
- Instructions for use packed with each valve or each carton, as required by the directive
- Labels with DN, PN, material, CE mark and batch number
- Documents in a waterproof envelope, with scanned copies sent by email
Shipping and trade terms
| Term | Details |
|---|---|
| Incoterms | EXW, FOB Ningbo, CFR, CIF, DAP |
| Port | Ningbo-Zhoushan; Shanghai as an alternative |
| Transport | Sea freight, air freight for urgent items, express courier for samples |
| Documents | Invoice, packing list, bill of lading, origin certificate, material and test certificates |
We can ship to European ports on CIF terms, or deliver to the importer's warehouse on DAP terms, and we coordinate with your customs agent so that the declaration of conformity and invoices are ready for clearance.
