Introduction: What This Page Covers and What It Doesn't Cover

This page provides information on two key harmonized standards — EN 13445 and EN 13480 — used in the design and manufacture of new pressure equipment and piping systems for the European Union. The focus is on the design, material selection, manufacturing, and in-process inspection of equipment before it is placed on the market.

This content does not cover the operational period inspection of in-service equipment. For periodic inspection obligations in Türkiye and operational inspection codes such as API 510/570/653, please refer to the relevant separate pages on our website. A detailed guide on the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED/2014/68/EU) and its corresponding regulation in Türkiye is also covered in a separate article.

  • Scope: Design and manufacture of new equipment according to EN 13445 and EN 13480.
  • Scope: the relationship of these standards to PED (presumption of conformity)
  • Excluded (separate page): periodic inspection / Turkish legislation periodic tests
  • Excluded (separate page): API 510/570/653 operational inspection codes
  • Outside the scope (separate page): PED 2014/68/EU directive guidance.

What is EN 13445? (Pressure Vessels Not to be Heated by Fire)

EN 13445 is a harmonized series of standards published by the Committee for European Standardization (CEN) for the design, material, manufacture, inspection and testing of metallic pressure vessels not heated directly by fire. First published in the early 2000s, it has replaced various national practices, providing a common framework across Europe.

The standard applies to a wide range of equipment, including heat exchangers, reactors, columns, storage tanks, and air cylinders. Equipment directly exposed to flames or combustion gases (e.g., boilers) is outside the scope of this standard and is addressed by different standards.

  • EN 13445-1: General (scope, definitions, common provisions)
  • EN 13445-2: Materials (material selection and requirements)
  • EN 13445-3: Design and calculation (calculation of components under pressure)
  • EN 13445-4: Manufacturing (manufacturing requirements including welding)
  • EN 13445-5: Inspection and testing (non-destructive testing, hydrostatic testing)

What is EN 13480? (Industrial Metallic Piping Systems)

EN 13480 is a European harmonized series of standards for the design, manufacture, assembly, inspection, and testing of industrial metallic piping systems. It covers metallic materials such as steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, and copper, and includes supporting elements for piping systems.

The series consists of complementary parts. Parts 1-6 and Part 8 are European Standards (EN); Part 7 is published as a CEN Technical Report (CEN/TR) providing guidance on the use of conformity assessment procedures.

  • EN 13480-1: General
  • EN 13480-2: Materials
  • EN 13480-3: Design and calculation
  • EN 13480-4: Manufacturing and assembly
  • EN 13480-5: Inspection and testing
  • EN 13480-6: Additional requirements for buried (underground) piping.
  • CEN/TR 13480-7: Guidance on the use of conformity assessment procedures (technical report)
  • EN 13480-8: Additional requirements for aluminum and aluminum alloy piping.

Relationship with PED (2014/68/EU): Presumption of Conformity

The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED/2014/68/EU) sets out the Essential Safety Requirements (ESRs) that must be met for pressure equipment placed on the market in the European Union. The directive does not specify exactly how these requirements should be met technically; it is goal-oriented.

EN 13445 and EN 13480 are one of the harmonized ways of meeting these essential requirements. Since their references are published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and each section is mapped to the relevant requirements in Annex ZA, a presumption of conformity arises for equipment designed and manufactured in accordance with these standards. In other words, compliance with the standard implies that the relevant essential safety requirements have been met. In Türkiye, the equivalent of PED is the Regulation on Pressure Equipment.

An important distinction: Conformity assessment and CE marking are carried out by the manufacturer and—where applicable—a notified body, depending on the equipment category. Compliance with standards and formal conformity assessment/certification are different processes.

  • PED defines the basic safety requirements (ESR); it does not impose the method.
  • EN 13445 / EN 13480 is the harmonized way to meet these requirements.
  • Compliance with the standard provides a presumption of conformity (Annex ZA + OJEU listing).
  • Formal conformity assessment and CE marking are separate processes; a notified body may be involved depending on the category.

Design Approaches: DBF and DBA

EN 13445-3 and EN 13480-3 provide for two complementary approaches to design and calculation. The first is Design by Formula (DBF), a common method where wall thickness and component dimensions are determined through analytical formulas and tabulated rules. The second is Design by Analysis (DBA), an advanced approach generally used for stress analysis using finite element methods, and employed for complex geometries, local loads, and fatigue situations.

In practice, both approaches can be used together; for specific areas where formula design is insufficient, the design-by-analysis method is employed. In both methods, material properties, design pressure-temperature, and safety factors are decisive.

  • DBF (Formula-based Design): calculations based on standard formulas and rules.
  • DBA (Design by Analysis): Finite element-based stress/fatigue analysis
  • Both can be used together (e.g., DBA for local load zones)

Inspection, Testing and the Distinction Between EN 13445/13480 and API Codes

EN 13445-5 and EN 13480-5 regulate inspection and testing during manufacturing: non-destructive testing (NDT — radiographic, ultrasonic, liquid penetrant, etc.), weld seam inspection, hydrostatic (pressure) testing, and material traceability are included. The aim is to verify that newly manufactured equipment meets design and manufacturing requirements before being placed on the market.

At this point, it is necessary to underline a frequently confused distinction. EN 13445 and EN 13480 are design and manufacture (new equipment) standards. Codes such as API 510 (pressure vessels), API 570 (process pipelines), and API 653 (storage tanks) are related to the inspection, evaluation, repair, and recertification of in-service equipment. In short: EN 13445/13480 deals with the initial stages of equipment lifecycle (design-manufacture), while API 510/570/653 deals with inspection throughout its service life. These two areas complement each other, but are not interchangeable. For in-service inspection and API codes, please refer to the relevant separate page on our website.

  • Design/manufacturing (new equipment): EN 13445, EN 13480
  • In-service inspection: API 510, API 570, API 653
  • Manufacturing inspection: NDT, hydrostatic testing, material traceability.
  • The two fields are complementary; one does not replace the other.

Export Context and AES's Approach

For Turkish manufacturers exporting pressure vessels or piping systems to the European Union, compliance with EN 13445 and EN 13480 forms the technical basis for the market placement process within the PED framework. Documenting the design and calculations, material selection, and manufacturing/inspection plan in accordance with these standards facilitates subsequent conformity assessment steps.

AES Innovation provides support in this area through technical assessment and design-verification information referenced in EN 13445 and EN 13480, and a technical report prepared by an authorized engineer (mechanical engineer). AES is not a Notified Body; it does not perform PED/CE conformity assessments, issue PED certificates, CE certificates or certifications, and does not claim certification/accreditation under these standards. The conformity assessment and CE marking process is carried out by authorized notified bodies.

  • EN 13445/13480 compliance is the technical basis for the PED process in exports to the EU.
  • AES: Standard reference technical evaluation + authorized engineer report
  • AES is not an approved body; it does not issue CE/PED certificates or certifications.
  • Official conformity assessment falls within the purview of accredited bodies.

Information Note

This page is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for engineering consultancy, design approval, or conformity assessment services. Current editions and full texts of the standards should be used; each project must be evaluated by a qualified engineer (mechanical engineer).

AES Innovation is not a Notified Body. It does not perform conformity assessments under the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED / 2014/68/EU); it does not issue PED certificates, CE certificates or certifications, and it does not claim certification/accreditation under EN 13445/EN 13480. PED/CE conformity assessment and certification are carried out by the relevant notified bodies.

AES's TÜRKAK accreditation is limited solely to the scope of 6.1 Electrical Installations. Activities related to pressure vessel and pipe design and manufacturing standards described on this page are outside the scope of this accreditation and will be handled within the framework of technical evaluation/information and an authorized engineer's report.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is EN 13445?

EN 13445 is a European harmonized series of standards published by CEN for the design, material, manufacture, inspection and testing of metallic pressure vessels not directly heated by fire (unfired). Its sections cover general (-1), material (-2), design/calculation (-3), manufacture (-4), and inspection and testing (-5).

What is EN 13480 and how many sections does it consist of?

EN 13480 is a series of European harmonized standards for the design, manufacture, assembly, inspection, and testing of industrial metallic piping systems. Parts 1-6 and Part 8 are European Standards (EN); Part 7 is a CEN Technical Report (CEN/TR) on conformity assessment procedures. The parts cover general topics, materials, design and calculation, manufacture and assembly, inspection and testing, buried piping, conformity assessment guidance, and aluminum piping, respectively.

What is the relationship between EN 13445/EN 13480 and PED (Protective Efficiency Testing)?

PED (2014/68/EU) defines the essential safety requirements (ESR) for pressure equipment; it does not describe how these requirements should be met individually. EN 13445 and EN 13480 are the harmonized way of meeting these requirements. Compliance with these standards provides a presumption of conformity, as their references are published in the Official Journal of the EU and are matched in Annex ZA of each section. Formal conformity assessment and CE marking are separate processes.

What is the difference between EN 13445 and API 510?

EN 13445 is a standard for the design and manufacture of new pressure vessels; it regulates the stage before the equipment is placed on the market. API 510, on the other hand, is a code for the inspection, evaluation, repair, and recertification of in-service pressure vessels during their operational period. In short, EN 13445 belongs to the design-manufacturing field, and API 510 to operational inspection; the two are complementary and not interchangeable.

What are DBF and DBA?

DBF (Design by Formula) is a common design method where component dimensions are determined using standard formulas and tabulated rules. DBA (Design by Analysis) is an advanced approach, usually involving stress and fatigue analysis using finite element methods, and is used for complex geometries and local loads. Both methods can be applied together.

What is AES doing about this?

AES Innovation provides support based on technical assessment and design-verification information referenced in EN 13445 and EN 13480, along with a technical report from an authorized engineer (mechanical engineer). AES is not a Notified Body; it does not perform PED/CE conformity assessments, issue PED certificates, CE certificates or certifications, and does not claim certification/accreditation under these standards. AES's TÜRKAK accreditation is limited only to 6.1 Electrical Installations.