The AD 2000 Code sets out in detail all the significant safety requirements of the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) and, of course, fulfils the conformity requirements of the PED. As compared to other national collections of standards such as EN 13445 (unfired pressure vessels) and EN 13480 (metallic industrial piping) which regulate the quality and condition of pressure equipment, this German collection is particularly valued for its self-contained and logical form.

Both its focus on quality, safety and conformity – with the essential requirements of the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) – and the clear and unambiguous nature of the specifications make the AD 2000 Code so valuable for users: Clear design, assessment, testing and documentation specifications embody “Made in Germany” in the very best sense. The popularity of the Code, not only in Germany but also internationally, is due to its straightforward structure and its rigorous requirements. The AD 2000 Code is also of course available in English.

The AD 2000 Code is primarily aimed at companies operating equipment and systems and deal with rules for the design and manufacture of pressure vessels, pressure vessel parts, equipment parts and pipelines within the scope of the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED).

It is aimed at engineers and technicians in plant and apparatus engineering who are involved in the planning, design, construction, manufacture, testing, commissioning and maintenance of pressurized components.

Other users are experts/specialists who are entrusted with the assessment of conformity, the performance of tests and the monitoring of pressure vessels.

The AD 2000 Code is based on a long-term association agreement between the DGUV, VDEh, VCI, VDMA, VAIS, vgbe energy and the TÜV-Verband: this joint endeavour is supported by a large part of German industry and is constantly being updated.