Non-Destructive Testing Personnel Approval

TÜV SÜD America offers Non-destructive Testing (NDT) Personnel approval services in accordance with PED (97/23/EC).

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 70% need to have an approval from a "Recognized Third Party organization" (RTPO) according to Article 13 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 with U.S.-based personnel.

Acting as a Recognized Third Party Organization (RTPO) according to Article 13 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 IIIs in the respective discipline using procedures described in CEN TR 15589.

Outside of Europe, approval is achieved normally only through Route C (pg. 8/11) as described in CEN TR 15589. As mentioned in this standard, requirements to be compared to are outlined in EN 473. 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 IIIs 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.

For additional information on Non-Destructive Testing services offered by PetroChem Inspection Services, a subsidiary of TÜV SÜD America, click here.

* TÜV SÜD America provides Notified Body Services through its parent company, Group TÜV Süddeutschland, which is a Notified Body for the PED & TPED, as well as other EU Directives.

For more information, contact us.