MANUAL VALVES CE MARKING
I'm in the process of selecting pneumatic components for a project.
The system pressure range is around 1 MPa (10 bar) and the fluid is
air. I am a bit confused about which components require CE marking and
which do not.
For example, I have an SMC solenoid valve
selected that has CE marking option. Then, I have a SMC 3-way valve that
has no CE marking option. I contacted the manufacturer and they replied
that since it is a manual valve with no electronic components, it does
not require CE marking. However, the maximum operating pressure for the
valve is 1 MPa, and from what I've seen the exemption cut off for simple
pressure vessels is 0.05 MPa (0.5 bar). Or is it exempt because the
capacity is under 1 liter?
I've been contacting the
companies regarding the marking and will finally confirm with our
European branch, but do non-electric components such as manual valves(Resilient Seated Gate Valves),
air regulators, filters, etc. not need CE marking? Below is a excerpt
and link to SMC's FAQ's where they state they are exempt.
"Q 11. Which directive is relevant to SMC products? Which SMC products require CE marking?
A11
Directives relevant to SMC products are EMC, Low Voltage and Simple
Pressure Vessels Directive. For pneumatic equipment comprising electric /
electronic parts, either the EMC or Low Voltage Directive, or both
directives are applied. In such cases, CE marking is required.
THEREFORE, PNEUMATIC EQUIPMENT WITHOUT ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC PARTS IS NOT SUBJECTED TO CE MARKING.
The
Simple Pressure Vessels Directive are applicable to SMC air tanks
(series AT) and tanks for booster valves (series VBAT). However,
excluding VBAT specials with CE certificationm neither of the products
conform to these directives (are not CE marked) and, therefore, cannot
be exported to Europe."
Your medium is air (below 350 degC) and your maximum allowed pressure in
the system is 10 bar(g) and we are talking about valves (=pressure
accessories).
This means your REQUIREMENTS are as following:
<=DN100 -> sound engineering practice
DN125-DN350 -> Category I
DN400-DN500 -> Category II
>DN500 -> Category III
Categories
I-III REQUIRE CE-marking (though all elements in an pipe system might
not specifically require individual marking, for valves i think you
should require it)
Valves which are constructed using sound engineering practice only MUST NOT be CE-marked.
BUT,
your valve manufacturer might construct his valve in accordance with
one of the PED-modules, which then allows him to use CE-marking. This is
of course allowed even if your REQUIREMENT is only sound engineering
practice.
Conclusion: up to and including DN100 don't need CE-marking.
MORE NEWS