1. The forum of the Notified Bodies (NBF):
European exchange of knowledge and forum for consistent implementation of the European Pressure Directive (PED)
Michael Hahn, TÜV Bayern SZA, Vienna, a company of TÜV SÜD Group Chairman of the Notified Bodies Forum

2. Structure:
Developement of the European exchange of knowledge
Forum of the Notified Bodies to the pressure vessel directive (NBF PED/ SPV)
Explanation of the form and function of the TRG-Group
Elaboration of guidelines
Conclusion

3. New Approch:
total harmonisation of the Single European Market
product-related guidelines in line with a uniform scheme
module-based conformity assessment
harmonisation of product quality by means of basic safety requirements
harmonised European standards (EN) including presumption of conformity, application voluntary

4. Organisation of the Notified Bodies forum by CEOC
Developement of the European Exchange of knowledge (1)
Start of the European exchange of knowledge by the European commission for the simple pressure directive
Organisation of the Notified Bodies forum by CEOC
Dr. Witt, TÜV Nord, chairman of the CEOC pressure commission nominated as first chairman of the NBF
Suitable approach involving the formalised discussion of a question, the answer and justification therefore.

5. New organisation of the exchange in the mid –1990s for all sectors
Developement of the European Exchange of knowledge (2)
New organisation of the exchange in the mid –1990s for all sectors
Separation of the secretary work for administrative and technical issues
administrative secretary realised at first by EOTC since 2003 by ECTA Luxemburg
technical secretary since the beginning assigned to VdTÜV

6. Members of the NBF (1):
Notified Bodies as per PED, Article 12 (approx. 60 bodies) and SPV
recognised third-party organisations as per PED, Article 13 (approx. 30 organisations)
user inspectorates as per PED, Article 14 (approx. 10 inspectorates)

7. Members of the NBF (2):
European associations and organisations such as CEFIC, CEOC, ECUI, Orgalime, Pneurop;
European Committee for Standardisation, CEN
European Member States, new candidates and third-party states
European Commission

8. More than 200 adresses are informed about the meetings
3 meetings are planned in 2004 in Brussels
After Dr. Witt, the chairmanship went over to Dr. Wutschig , TÜV Pfalz, from Dr. Haynes, Royal Sun Alliance, after a two years period
2003 Peter Hanmore Bureau Veritas London and in 2004 myself have been nominated as chairman

9. Agenda of the meetings:
Discussion about technical problems
Information about the work of the
WGP-working group pressure
WPG-working party guidelines
WPM-working party materials
presentations of experts about special technical problems
Information about the European standardization
Discussion about the TRG´s

10. What is the TRG?
NBF Technical Response Group
The mechanism for generating NBF guidance
Membership drawn from any interested Notified Body, Recognised Third Party
Electronic communication

11. How does the TRG work?
Question identified together with a model
Question verified and solution debated
Consensus reached and presented to full NBF meeting for ratification
Forwarded to WPG for comment
Publication of completed Question and Answer

12. Guidelines in itiated by TRG / NBF : Workflow
Question
identified
TRG Reviews existing guidelines,
blue guide, directives
> TRG Drafts responses
Internal NB
Sheet
no guideline
Bypass NBF
for 2nd check
NBF
Comments
Suggestions
to TRG
Post on
circa
(4 weeks)
Guidelines in itiated by TRG / NBF : Workflow
No guideline
Reservation by
WPG
Members ?
WPG
Comments
suggestions
to WPG
No guideline
„Fast track procedure“
to be implemented
after some initial experience
NBF
No guideline
Agreed guideline on PED - WEB

13. Guidelines split into 10 sections:
1. Scope and exclusions
2. Classification and Categories
3. Assemblies
4. Evaluation assessment procedures
5. Interpretation of the essential requirements on design
6. Interpretation of the essential requirements on manufacturing
7. Interpretation of the essential requirements on materials
8. Interpretation of the other essential requirements
9. Miscellaneous
10. Horizontal Issues

14. Guidelines - systematics:
Question
Answer
Note
Relating to a section of the PED
Date of adoption by WPG and WGP

15. What are PED Guidelines?
Guidelines on the intent of the Directive
Practical interpretation
A basis for revision?

16. Why do we need PED Guidelines?
Market surveillance issues
Consistency
Translation difficulties
To help the manufacturer!

17. Where are the Guidelines published?
PED Guidelines are published on the EU PED Web-site:
NBF Guidelines published on a secure area of CIRCA (at the moment)

18. Conclusion
Work of European experience exchange of the Notified Bodies is shown
Description of the Forum of the Notified Bodies for the PED/SPV
Consistency of application is supported
Guidelines are the tangible result of the work of the NBF