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The Gas
Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995 No 1629) implementing the
Council Directive 90/396/EEC as amended (Gas Appliances Directive - GAD)
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Subject Area |
The Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1629 - the
Regulations) implement the Directive 93/396/EEC as amended by Council
Directive 93/68/EEC to include requirements for CE Marking.
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| Coverage |
The Regulations apply to domestic and
commercial gas appliances used for cooking, heating, hot water production and
refrigeration, lighting or washing and having where applicable, a normal water
temperature not exceeding 105 degrees Celsius and includes forced draught
burners and heating bodies to be equipped with such burners. Most appliances for
use in industrial processes on industrial premises are excluded. The
Regulations also apply to certain fittings.
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Intention of
Legislation |
To remove technical barriers to trade, to establish
a Single Market in safe gas appliances and provide a high level of protection
for consumers throughout the EEA. Products covered by this legislation are
required to carry the CE Marking. Use of Notified Bodies is also required.
The Regulations cover products when first placed on the market.
The Regulations can be viewed on the following HMSO website:
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19951629_en_1.htm
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| Enforcement |
The Regulations are enforced by the local
authority trading standards departments in respect of gas appliances intended
for use by the consumer, and by the Health and Safety Executive in respect of
appliances intended for the workplace.
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/
http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/index.htm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/maps/index.htm
Local Authority Trading Standards Departments are
required to notify DTI of enforcement actions.
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| Notified Bodies |
Notified Bodies are independent organisations that
have been designated by the Member States as being competent with skills and
qualifications to undertake type testing, approval of quality systems,
production monitoring and surveillance to verify conformity to the Essential
Requirements of the Gas Appliances Directive. The Regulations allow
manufacturers to choose different Notified Bodies to undertake the different
aspects of product type-examination and production monitoring.
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Current Position
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The Directive came fully into force on 1 January
1996.
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| Guidance |
A comprehensive DTI Guidance booklet and an
up-to-date list of UK Notified Bodies is available from the following links:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/strd/psgas04.pdf  (143 kB) -
Guidance Booklet
http://www.dti.gov.uk/strd/gasnbs.pdf (13 kB) -
Notified Bodies
The European Commission has its own website dedicated to matters
relating to this Directive. Information on this site includes:
- Text of Directive 90/396/EEC (GAD)
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/consleg/pdf/1990/en_1990L0396_do_001.pdf
(284 kB)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/newapproach/standardization/harmstds/reflist/appligas.html
- Complete list of European Notified Bodies for GAD
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/newapproach/legislation/nb/en90-396-eec.pdf
(30 kB)
- Commission Guidance for the application of the Directive
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/gas_appliances/guidelines_gas/gas_guidelines.htm
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NOTE (i): SECOND-HAND GAS APPLIANCES
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These Regulations do not apply to
second-hand gas appliances or fittings, which have been previously supplied or
put into service by a person in the EEA. Second-hand appliances are covered by
other legislation; the type of appliance determines the specific legislation.
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NOTE (ii): THE GAS (SAFETY)
INSTALLATIONS AND USE REGULATIONS 1998
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Within the UK there are strict controls on
installations and maintenance of gas appliances, HSE have responsibility for
this legislation. This legislation can be viewed from the following HMSO
website:
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1998/19982451.htm
The Health and Safety Executive advises that all gas appliances and/or flues
should be regularly maintained and a safety check carried out annually or at any
other time if there is a safety doubt. This work must be carried out by a
CORGI registered installer.
Further information on gas safety installation and maintenance issues can be
viewed from the following HSE website:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/index.htm
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| CORGI (iii): |
For information on finding CORGI registered
installers and questions relating to gas safety issues click on the link below:
http://www.corgi-gas-safety.com/section_use_gas/services_for_you.asp
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| For further information, contact |
STRD 6, Bay 342/343,
151 Buckingham Palace Road,
London SW1W 9SS Tel: 020 7215 1345, fax: 020 7215 1340
e-mail:
dti.strd6@gtnet.gov.uk
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