Important amendment to China’s Pressure Vessel Directive (China Manufacturer License, CML)
On 16.01.2019, the Chinese market supervisory authority SAMR (State Administration for Market Regulation of the Peoples Republic of China) published that “Pipes for Pressure Lines” and “Pressure Valves” are to be included in the catalogue for goods subject to licensing under the Chinese Manufacturer License (CML in short; similar to AD 2000 and ASME; also know as China SQL – China Safety Quality License).
The changes will take effect on 01.06.2019.
Until now, a Chinese type test report was sufficient to import pipelines for a pipeline or plant with pressure vessels to China. Once the revision comes into force, a valid China Manufacturer License from the China Special Equipment Licensing Office (SELO) and a Chinese type test report (also know as TS certificate) will be required for import and operation in China.
Below you will find a rough overview of the upcoming changes as of 01.06.2019:
| Relevant goods for the China Manufacturer License (CML) | Factory inspection required? | Type test required? |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary pressure vessels | Yes | No |
| Boiler | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile pressure vessels | Yes | Yes |
| Pressure pipe (steel pipe: seamless, welded; non-metallic pipe) | Yes | Yes* |
| Pressure pipe valve (metal valve) | Yes | Yes* |
| Pressure pipe fittings (made of metal: seamless, folded, forged; made of polyethylene) | Yes | Yes* |
| Safety-relevant special equipment (safety valve, bursting disc, emergency shut-off valve, valves for gas cylinders) | Yes | Yes |
| Gas cylinder | Yes | Yes |
| Oxygen chamber | Yes | Yes |
| Non-metal valves | Official clarification is pending | Official clarification is pending |
| Pressure pipe components other than pipe and valve | No | Yes |
| Elevator | No | Yes |
| Hoisting machines | No | Yes |
| Passenger ropeway | No | Yes |
| Large entertainment facility | No | Yes |
| Motors for special applications | No | Yes |
*Until 01.06.2019 a type test report without a valid China Manufacturer License will be accepted for the import of goods into China.
In our experience, such changes are subject to regular delays. On its part, we regularly observe that details for such implementation in China have not been sufficiently clarified by the time it comes into effect and that necessary standards and procedures have been updated or published by the official authorities in due time. Thus, it may happen that applications for individual cases of the above categories my currently not be processed in China.
It should also not be neglected that the Chinese pool of inspectors for this area is limited and already represents a bottleneck. Therefore, waiting durations for a necessary inspection should not be underestimated
