Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Personnel Approval

Approved Pressure Vessel Inspectors

TÜV SÜD America offers non-destructive testing (NDT) Personnel Approval services in accordance with PED (2014/68/EU).

Annex I Section 3.1.3 of the PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) identifies that NDT personnel for inspecting welds on pressure equipment of Category III and IV with a joint efficiency of greater than 70% need to have an approval from a “Recognized Third-Party Organization” (RTPO) according to Article 20 of the PED. TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH, a division of TÜV SÜD AG, TÜV SÜD America’s parent company, is such a RTPO. All activities in North America are performed by U.S.-based personnel.

Acting as a Recognized Third-Party Organization (RTPO) according to Article 20 of the PED, TÜV SÜD ensures that NDT personnel who inspect welds on pressure equipment in Category III and IV meet all the outlined requirements and have passed all theoretical and practical examinations. Comprehensive services include review of already achieved approvals, evaluations, and testing of the applicants through Level III in the respective discipline using procedures described in CEN TR 15589.

Trusted Expertise Outside of the EU

Outside of Europe, approval is normally achieved only through Route C as described in CEN TR 15589. As mentioned in this standard, requirements to be compared to are outlined in EN ISO 9712.

Comprehensive services include evaluations and examinations. Examinations covered are eye exams (to be performed by any medically recognized personnel), two written tests from the applicants, and a practical test. Testing of the applicants (theoretical and practical examination) is done through Level III based in the U.S. in the respective discipline.

Currently, TÜV SÜD is the only Notified Body in North America authorized as an RTPO, allowing the organization to provide clients with a one-stop source for all PED services.

About the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU

Pressure Equipment Directive 2014-68-EU is mandatory for all equipment previously regulated by a multiplicity of national pressure equipment codes and standards.

The PED applies to pressure equipment placed on the market or put into service in the European Union with a maximum allowable pressure exceeding 0.5 bar.

Equipment directly affected by the PED includes:

• Vessels, fired and unfired
• Piping
• Pressure & Safety Accessories (valves, safety relief valves, regulators, rupture disks, etc.)
• Pressure Equipment Assemblies

Choosing TÜV SÜD

As a Notified Body, TÜV SÜD partners with you during all phases of the compliance process. This may include documentation and design reviews, product testing, system evaluation, and certification.

TÜV SÜD America’s Industrial Technical Inspection Services group holds all necessary accreditations for type approval and certification in accordance with all relevant national and international regulations. TÜV SÜD America can provide a variety of engineering and testing services that will support alternative fuel technologies manufacturers and assist with your global market access.

Additional Services include:

• European Union Full Service Notified Body
• Hazard Analysis Training
• Quality System Auditing & Assessment: ISO 9001, ISO/TS 16949, ISO 14001, AS9100, and AS9120 Certification
• Material Appraisals
• Welding Procedures / Welder Certification
• EU Competent and Notified Body to: EMC, Machinery, and Medical Device Directives
• NRTL & SCC-Accredited Certification Services
• Wind Energy Services

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