Objective
Specific Objectives:
To manage the EPERC network and maintain the EPERC website on a day-to-day basis under the guidance of the Steering Committee in order to:
1. provide technical expertise to DG ENTR in support of the PED and of the harmonised standards required for its implementation, and monitor the study "Comparative Study on Pressure Equipment Standards" comparing the implications of the application of the European Standard (EN 13445) and of the other major international pressure vessels standards;
2. transfer technology and disseminate results;
3. implement the Memorandum of Understanding between EPERC and US and Japanese Pressure Vessel Research Councils;
4. provide technical input to the DG TREN Working Group on "Codes and Standards" for the harmonisation of safety requirements and construction rules in the nuclear power industry providing the state-of-the-art of industrial practices in the non-nuclear field;
5. involve Candidate Countries by organising workshops and sharing best practices. Anticipated milestones and schedule Project support: Generic Administrative operation Steering Committee: Jun.03 - Nov.03 Executive Group: Mar.03 - Oct.03 Technical Task Forces:Jun.03 - Nov.03 Annual meetings: Nov.03 Liaison with Partners: Generic Website: Generic Technology Transfer Eperc Newletter: Jun.03 Technical Bulletin TTF2: Nov.03 Technical Bulletin TTF4: un.03 Technical Report SMT: Mar.03 Implementation MoU Follow-up Liaison group: Generic 2nd Liaison Group meeting: Jun.03 Workshop EPERC/PVRC/JPVRC: Nov.03 Support to Enlargement Status Report:Mar.03 Complete membership: Dec.03 Support to DG Enterprise Monitoring Contract study: Jun.03 Database PED in CCs: Dec.03 Working Group DG Tren Sharing Fatigue Design knowledge: Jun.03-Dec03
Planned Deliverables:
1.1 Steering Committee, Executive Committee, Technical Task Forces and Annual EPERC meetings;
1.2 Database of key information regarding the PED implementation in Candidate Countries such as: responsible authorities, transposition of PED into national legislation, identification of key players and training needs in the field of pressure equipment;
2.1 EPERC newsletter (edition June 2003);
2.2 EPERC Technical Bulletins on:
1) conditions to remove obstacles and unnecessary conservatism by applying modern design by analysis methods for the full exploitation of properties of new High Strength Steels in pressure vessel (PV) fabrication and;
2) the determination of gasket coefficients for all gasket categories and the determination of the service behaviour of gaskets;
2.3 Technical report on a Small Punch (SP) test method Qualification round robin exercise;
3.1 Activity report of the Working Group set-up at the 2002 EPERC annual meetings during the first EPERC/PVRC/JPVRC Liaison Group meeting;
3.2 Report of the 2nd Liaison Group meeting to be coordinated by the US PVRC end 2003;
3.3 Feasibility of Joint EPERC/PVRC/JPVRC seminar;
4.1 Technical report on fatigue design to the DG TREN Working Group on "Codes and Standards";
5.1 Status report on the implementation of the PED in Candidate Countries;
5.2 Completed EPERC membership with additional Candidate Countries (only 5 are currently member: Hungary, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Republic and Romania).
Output Indicators and Impact:
1. Technology Transfer: Output indicators: increased number of EPERC Newsletter copies, publication of two EPERC Technical Bulletins, number of updates and visits to the EPERC Website, number of participation to international events. Impact: Strengthened competitiveness through technological transfer, easy access to information into innovation and its transformation into innovation, increased awareness;
2. Intensifying the dialogue with US and Japan: Output indicators: setting-up the EPERC/US/JPVRC liaison group, participation to the second Laison Group organised by PVRC, 1 joint workshop EPERC/PVRC/JPVRC. Impact:increased international cooperation;
3. Support to enlargement: Output indicators: one status report on the implementation of the PED in CCs, double membership in CCs. Impact: integration of CCs into the European Research Area;
4. Support to DG Enterprise: Output indicators: monotoring one contract study (under the lead of DG Enterprise). Impact: Promotion of the new European harmonised standards.
Summary of the Action:
This action operates the well-established "European Pressure Equipment Research Council" (EPERC), which performs Research and Development activities and in particular pre-normative and co-normative research needed to assist the development of harmonised standards useful for EU legislation. Considerable support is given to the implementation of the EC Directive on Pressure Equipment (PED 97/23/EC). With its 212 signatory organisations of industries, research institutions, inspection and governmental bodies, EPERC is fostering collaborative research, ensuring technology transfer (particularly towards SMEs) and liasing with the services of the Commission and CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) for the design, the manufacture and safe operation of new equipment to be placed on the market. Rationale The implementation of the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED 97/23/EC) as well as its improvement requires harmonised standards for pressure equipment design, manufacture and safe operation. In addition, several nuclear components are following this directive for selected nuclear reactor components (class 2 and 3). The major concern here is the harmonisation of national legislation with regard to the free movement of pressure equipment in order to ensure personal safety and health protection.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
JRC - Joint Research Centre researchCoordinator
1755 ZG Petten
Netherlands