Pressure equipment: 15 harmonised standards in Decision (EU) 2026/79 — new EN 10216-2:2024 for seamless tubes, eight standards for copper and copper alloys, titanium vessels; previous editions drop out on 13 July 2027
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/79 of 12 January 2026, published and applicable from 13 January, amends Annex I to Decision (EU) 2025/165 — the list of harmonised standards giving a presumption of conformity with Directive 2014/68/EU on pressure equipment. It adds references to 15 standards drafted by CEN under standardisation request C(2024) 1241, seven of which replace earlier editions while eight are new to the list (entries 196–203).
- New editions replacing earlier ones: EN 1591-1:2024 (calculation of gasketed circular flange connections), EN 10216-2:2024 (seamless steel tubes of non-alloy and alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties), EN 10253-4:2025 (butt-welding fittings of austenitic and duplex steels), EN 12420:2024 (copper and copper alloy forgings), EN 12735-2:2024 (copper tubes for instrumentation in air-conditioning and refrigeration), EN 13445-5:2021+A1:2024 (inspection and testing of unfired pressure vessels) and EN 16668:2025 (requirements and testing for metallic valves).
- New to the list: EN 12163, EN 12164, EN 12166, EN 12167 and EN 12168 (all 2024 — rods, wire, profiles and hollow rods of copper and copper alloys), EN 1982:2024 (copper and copper alloy ingots and castings), EN 13445-11:2024 (additional requirements for pressure vessels of titanium and titanium alloys) and EN ISO 4126-10:2024 (sizing of safety valves and bursting discs for gas/liquid two-phase flow).
- References to the replaced editions — EN 1591-1:2013, EN 10216-2:2013, EN 10253-4:2008 with its amendment, EN 12420:2014, EN 12735-2:2016, EN 13445-5:2021 and EN 16668:2016+A1:2018 — are deleted from the list only from 13 July 2027, so that manufacturers have time to adapt their products. The presumption of conformity with the new standards applies from the date of publication.
- For materials testing laboratories and bodies inspecting pressure equipment this is a cue to review scopes and procedures based on the editions being withdrawn — especially EN 10216-2 and EN 13445-5. A further, larger update of the list (20 references, including qualification of welding procedures) came with Decision (EU) 2026/2211 in October 2026.