Pressure Equipment Directive

HC Deb 18 March 2003 vol 401 cc693-4W

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the difficulties of professional copper boiler makers in complying with the Pressure Equipment Directive. [102759]

Alan Johnson

The Department is aware of the problems of small businesses operating in the heritage sphere that need to comply with CE marking directives. Arrangements were put in place last year offering help to them with the start up costs they incur in respect of third party verification and inspection services required to CE mark some of their products. In the case of copper boilermakers and the Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999, the Department also engaged the services through much of last year of an independent consultant, at public expense to assist them in their compliance efforts. The Department continues to offer advice as appropriate.