Industrial valves are mechanical devices that control the flow of liquid or gas within a system by opening, closing, or partially obstructing channels. They are crucial in numerous areas of life as they improve efficiency and ensure precise control and overall safety in a variety of industrial processes.
A newly developed standard, EN 19:2023 ‘Marking of metallic valves’, is a noteworthy milestone. The significance of this umbrella standard lies in its comprehensive coverage of general characteristics and requirements for marking industrial metallic valves. It aligns with the provisions in the Essential Safety Requirements (ESR) of Annex I section 3.3 of the Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU (PED). It offers a systematic approach to the marking and labelling of pressure equipment.
Operating in tandem with various product-specific standards, this umbrella standard forms a robust framework that ensures the quality and conformity of various valve products.
The Pressure Equipment Directive is vital for ensuring the safety of pressure equipment within the European Union. It establishes essential safety requirements, promotes market access by requiring conformity with standards, contributes to harmonization across EU Member States, safeguards consumers and the environment, provides a legal framework, and facilitates international trade by setting consistent standards for products entering the EU market. This aligns with the EU single market's goal to facilitate the seamless transfer of technical trade, emphasizing uniform product requirements through the European approach to harmonization, which integrates essential safety considerations.
The initial version of EN 19:2023 ‘Marking of metallic valves’ dates back to 1975. The latest version was meticulously developed under CEN/TC 69 'Industrial valves', with AFNOR, the French Standardization Association, serving as the Secretariat.
Kursley ALAIRY
kalairy@cencenelec.eu
