Our line of composite LPG cylinders are certified in accordance with the requirements in ADR/RID and the Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive (TPED). All cylinders are marked with π 0035 -40C. This means that our products can be filled, transported and used in all EC countries as well as other countries who have adopted the ADR/RID. The original approval was based on the German/ADR requirements, granted in February 2000.

TÜV München, which is accredited by ZLS as the inspection body issuing type approvals in Germany for this type of equipment, did all the approval work. They also acted as our notified body - the third party inspector approving the manufacturing line and the products.

Today the approval is maintained by TÜV Rheinland. Design, approval testing and production testing are based on the requirements of EN 12245 "Transportable Gas Cylinders - Fully Wrapped Composite Cylinders" and EN 14427 "Transportable Refillable Composite Cylinders for LPG - Design and Construction". Both standards are included in the ADR/RID (TPED) and equally valid. Our products are approved to both standards and type approval certificate according to both standards is available. Requirements for inspection at time of filling or periodic inspection and testing is prescribed in ADR/RID by referencing available European or international standards.

For countries that have not contracted ADR/RID, the local or national authorities issue the type approval for our cylinders. Using existing TPED-approval as a basis for the application, experience is that local or national approval is usually a mere formality, which further implies that it has limited impact on time and cost during launch in a new market. TPED refers to ADR related to transportation of dangerous goods, thus a TPED product may be transported within the whole EU and EFTA, as well as any other country who has adopted the ADR/RID into their nation’s regulations for transport of dangerous goods.

Our cylinders are also in compliance with ISO 11119-3, which is very similar to the European standards, except that it is approved by member countries from the whole world. In combination with the requirements in the United Nations (UN) Model regulations, as applied in national law or regulations, it is possible to use the ISO 11119-3 standard to obtain approval for a UN/ISO cylinder.

The approval process is slightly different, as well as the marking requirements on such cylinders. Hexagon Ragasco has for example an UN/ISO approval in New Zealand. Both pi-marked and locally approved valves are available for these cylinders, depending on the market/country. Valve design must always be approved by Hexagon Ragasco. There are several standards developed to establish procedures and criteria for filling inspection and retesting, and that are referenced in ADR/RID:

• EN 1439 – Procedures for checking LPG cylinders before, during and after filling
• EN16728 – Transportable refillable LPG cylinders other than traditional welded and brazed steel cylinders – Periodic inspection
• ISO 24431 – Cylinders for compressed and liquefied gases (excluding acetylene) – Inspection at time of filling
• ISO 11623 – Periodic inspection and testing of composite gas cylinders

In addition, Hexagon Ragasco has a product-specific document providing detailed instructions for filling and retesting its composite LPG cylinders.

Outside Europe the interval between periodic inspections is often stipulated in the approval, or subsequently by approval from the local/national authority.

We continuously perform tests to document the limited deterioration that normal use of the cylinders cause over time (no corrosion, no permanent deformation) and thus prove to the competent authorities that the retesting interval should be at least 10 years. Each facility approved to perform periodic inspection and testing also needs their procedure and facilities to be approved by the competent authority in each country.

In the USA, the cylinders are approved by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) in accordance with Special Permit DOT-SP-12706, which is based on ISO11119-3, CFR49, FRP 1 and DOT specific requirements.

The Authorized Testing Institute is the third-party approval organization for the manufacturing line and product.

In Canada, the cylinders are approved in accordance with TC-SU-5931, which is based on ISO11119-3 and BS3.3.9, TC 3FCM, CAN/CSA B339 and further Transport Canada requirements. The Authorized Testing Institute is the third-party approval organization for the manufacturing line and product.

Through national approvals our line of composite LPG cylinders is approved in a number of countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Iraq, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Vietnam and Uruguay etc.

The local approvals are normally based on an acceptance of TPED, EN12245 and/or ISO 11119-3 requirements. Hexagon Ragasco is dedicated to the task of achieving local and national approvals and providing support to the local competent authorities.