Content - Responsibilities and authorities

Responsibilities

The Market Surveillance Authority of Pressure Equipment performs random samples to verify compliance with the safety regulations for pressure equipment.

Additionally, it follows up on substantiated notices concerning pressure vessels or pressure equipment that are not in compliance with the regulations (Art. 22 para. 1 PrSV).
In accordance with Art. 22 para. 2 PrSV, these checks include

  •         formal examination of the declaration of conformity and the technical documents (incl. the operating manual)
  •        visual inspection of the equipment
  •         if necessary, functional checks
  •        other post-control checks.

Authorities

In order to carry out its mandate, the Market Surveillance Authority is allowed to

  • request the documentation and information required to verify conformity;
  • take samples ;
  • arrange inspections;
  • enter the business premises during normal working hours  (Art. 22 para. 3 PrSV).

If necessary, the Market Surveillance Authority can order an inspection (Art. 22 para. 4 PrSV).

 

Actions

In the event that pressure equipment is not in compliance with regulations, the Market Surveillance Authority notifies the distributor of the result of the inspection and gives it an opportunity to make a statement. If necessary, it then prescribes the actions to be taken by means of a decree and sets a reasonable deadline for compliance (Art. 22 para. 5 and 6 PrSV) 

If necessary, the distributor is charged a fee; expenses are charged in addition (Art. 27 PrSV)

 

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Authority issuing the order:

Market Surveillance of Pressure Equipment is performed by order of the Swiss Federal Council and under the supervision of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

SECO is responsible for the legislation of product safety:

Stauffacherstrasse 101
8004 Zurich
Tel. 043 322 21 40

 

Legal basis

Market surveillance takes place within the scope of enforcement of the Swiss Federal Statute on Product Safety (PrSG).

Market surveillance of pressure vessels and pressure equipment is based on the Product Safety Ordinance (PrSV) and the Pressure Vessel Ordinance or Pressure Equipment Ordinance, which reflect the corresponding European guidelines.

 

Reporting suspected non-compliance

Reports about (potentially) non-compliant pressure equipment can be submitted to SECO or directly to Market Surveillance of Pressure Equipment using this form.
Market Surveillance will then perform the necessary investigations.

 

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