Use of BS EN 10204 for compliance with the

Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC)

BS EN 10204:2004, titled Metallic materials, Types of inspection
documents, was published in support of the Directive for Pressure Equipment
(97/23/EC). This New Approach Directive allows for self-certification of
compliance with European Regulations. By following the EN standard when
doing business in Europe, one can be assured of meeting the requirements of the
Directive. But what exactly is required?
This EN Standard specifies the different types of inspection documents supplied
to the purchaser, in accordance with the requirements of the order, for the
delivery of all metallic products, e.g. plates, sheets, bars, forgings, castings,
whatever their method of production. It may also apply to non-metallic
products.

But the document itself does not contain any inspection directions. Indeed, it
must be used in conjunction with the product specifications which specify the
technical delivery conditions of the order itself.

So what exactly does it specify?

The document first of all defines a series of document type designations, like
Type 2.1, Declaration of compliance with the order, and 2.2, Test report. For
each document type, there is a brief description of the content and the validating
entity.

So for Type 2.1, Declaration of compliance with the order, the description is
Statement of compliance with the order and the validating entity is the
manufacturer. For Type 2.2, Test report, the description is Statement of
compliance with the order, with indication of results of nonspecific
inspection. The validating entity is again the manufacturer.

Terminology is defined in the beginning of the standard. And a chart is

provided to specifically show the use of EN 10204 to support
the 97/23/ECDirective. Reference is additionally made to EN 10168, Steel
products Inspection documents List of information and description.
So, the BS EN 10204 does not describe specific requirements for any given
order. The expectation is that the order itself will define the product
specifications required. The document does however, define a series of
document types issued by the manufacturer in which he declares that the
products supplied are in compliance with the requirements of the order and in
which he may supply test results if required.
The BS EN 10204 and all BS EN standards are available from Document Center
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