Pressure Equipment The laws regarding pressure vessels are long and complex, the exact information can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/strd/ and printed out if necessary. The purpose of this section with the web site, is to give people some information that may be useful. On this page we have the new Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999 in brief. Other legislation includes The Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Containers Regulations 1989 (PSTGCR) which will eventually be replaced by the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR). These continue to apply to the design and construction of pressure equipment not covered by the Pressure Equipment Regulations. PSSR will apply to the use and ongoing integrity of pressure systems. Pressure Equipment - the new law in brief The Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999 entered into force on 29 November 1999 although there is a transitional period until 29 May 2002 when manufacturers of pressure equipment and assemblies may choose to either comply with the community regime described below or continue to comply with the existing national legislation in place on 29 November 1999. From 30 May 2002 most pressure equipment and assemblies placed on the market in the United Kingdom must comply with the Regulations. Under the Regulation, pressure equipment and assemblies above specified pressure/volume thresholds must: Be safe Meet essential safety requirements covering design, manufacture and testing; Satisfy appropriate conformity assessment procedures; and Carry the CE marking and other information. Pressure equipment and assemblies below the specified pressure/volume thresholds must: Be safe; Be designed and manufactured according to sound engineering practice; and Bear specified markings (but not the CE marking) Failure to comply with these requirements: Means that such pressure equipment or assemblies can not legally be supplied in the UK. Could result in prosecution and penalties on conviction of a fine of up to £5000 or in some cases, of imprisonment for up to 3 months, or of both. The same rules apply everywhere in the European Economic Area (EEA) so that pressure equipment complying with the Regulations may be placed on the Market or put into service anywhere in the EEA.