PESO CERTIFICATION

INTRODUCTION

Peso Certification : Since the era of British India, the PESO Department has been diligently overseeing the regulation of explosives. PESO, which stands for Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization, traces its origins back to the 1890s when it was established as the Department of Explosives. Initially focused on ensuring the safety of hazardous substances such as petroleum, compressed gases, and explosives, PESO has evolved to become a crucial guardian against potential disasters. Petroleum and compressed gases are notorious for their toxicity, and even the slightest spark can trigger catastrophic consequences. Compressed gases, in particular, pose multifaceted hazards, encompassing flammability, toxicity, oxidization, and corrosiveness.

For over a century, this organization has garnered a distinguished reputation as a paragon of excellence in safeguarding hazardous material safety across various domains including manufacturing, refining, storage, transportation, handling, and utilization. Presently, the organization addresses a myriad of critical topics encompassing explosives, petroleum, compressed gases, pressure vessels, gas cylinders, cross-country pipelines, LNG, CNG, Auto LPG, CBG, Ammonium Nitrate, flame-proof electrical fittings, and more.

WHAT IS PESO CERTIFICATION?

PESO, or the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization, alternatively recognized as the Chief Controller of Explosives (CCOE), plays a pivotal role in overseeing, regulating, and ensuring safety compliance across various aspects of manufacturing, importing, exporting, selling, storing, transporting, and handling explosives, flammable materials, pressure vessels, petroleum, and compressed gases. Additionally, it exercises regulatory authority over petrol stations throughout India. Operating as an independent regulatory body, PESO is under the auspices of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The PESO Certification delineates a mandatory approval framework within the oil and gas sector for products related to gases, utilized in oil operations, or necessitated to endure highly corrosive conditions. Situated in Nagpur, Maharashtra, PESO's headquarters oversee this regulatory process.

MANDATORY LICENSEE / STAKEHOLDERS FOR PESO

The PESO Certification extends to licensees and stakeholders engaged in the following businesses:

1. Petroleum / Gas Cylinders / SMPV(U)

2. Explosives / Ammonium Nitrate

3. Degassing and Purging under SMPV(U)

4. Fabrication Shops

5. Gas Cylinder Testing Stations

SMPV (UNFIRED) RULES FOR PESO CERTIFICATE

SMPV, which stands for Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels, encompasses containers specifically engineered to accommodate significant variations in mass and volume while maintaining safety standards beyond ambient pressure parameters. This specialized construction prioritizes safety and prevents contamination of stored contents. Pressure vessels are crafted to contain liquids, gases, or vapors under high-pressure conditions.

THE STATIC AND MOBILE PRESSURE VESSELS (UNFIRED) RULES, 1981

Below are a few regulations concerning the PESO Certificate.

1. As per the 1981 regulations, the drawing, design, specifications, and codes require approval from the Chief Controller. This authority is designated as the competent individual responsible for conducting tests, examinations, inspections, and certifications for installations and transportation vehicles in accordance with these regulations.

2. As per a new sub-rule introduced under Rule 47(7), the district authority is mandated to issue no-objection certificates or provide written notifications of refusal, along with reasons, within a two-month timeframe.

3.General Exemptions: These rules do not apply to vessels integrated into a processing plant. For clarification, vessels constituting part of a processing plant include those where a unit process or operation occurs, and vessels that hold a compressed gas received from and used within the same processing plant. However, the water capacity of such vessels must ensure that the stored gas, at maximum working pressure, meets the needs of feeding the consuming points for up to 16 hours at the designated flow rate.

4. Restrictions on Manufacture, Filling, and Import:
- Filling a vessel with compressed gas or transporting a vessel filled with compressed gas is prohibited unless the vessel was manufactured in compliance with a type, standard, or code specified in Rule 12.
- Manufacturing any vessel falling under sub-rule (1) requires prior approval from the Chief Controller.
- Importing any vessel is prohibited without prior approval from the Chief Controller.

5. Restriction on Delivery and Dispatch:
- Compressed gas stored in a vessel cannot be delivered or dispatched to anyone except the holder of a storage permit issued under these regulations, a port authority, or a railway administration.
- The quantity of compressed gas provided or dispatched under sub-rule (1) must not exceed the authorized storage capacity of the recipient as specified in the license obtained by them.

6. It is prohibited to employ individuals under the age of 18 and individuals who are intoxicated.

7. At no time is smoking, lighting fires, or using lights permitted near areas where compressed gas is stored, handled, or transported in a vessel.

8. Supervision and operation within the licensed premises necessitate individuals to possess equipment knowledge and undergo training in handling hazardous substances.

9. Empty vessels containing flammable or poisonous gases must remain securely closed until cleaned or purged of gas, except when opened for filling, cleaning, or rendering them gas-free.

10. Any alterations made to the machinery or pressure vessel must undergo inspection.

Process for Granting and Revoking Recognition to a Competent Individual under SMPV (U) Regulations

1. Competent individuals are granted recognition under the SMPV (U) Rules, 1981, according to Rule 18 (pertaining to the testing of Safety Relief Valves installed on pressure vessels), Rule 19 (for periodic testing of pressure vessels, including/excluding Horton spheres/mounded/underground vessels for ALDS), and Rule 33 (for issuing Safety Certificates for pressure vessel installations, including/excluding Horton spheres/mounded/underground vessels for ALDS).

2. (A)The application is considered valid when submitted along with the following documents as listed in Appendix IIIA:
- Qualification Certificate
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Specimen signature of the applicant
- Scrutiny fee

(B)-In Appendix IIIB
Individuals with a degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Marine, Metallurgical Engineering, or equivalent experience, are required to submit the scrutiny fee for the inspection of the pressure vessel.

3. Should the qualifications and experience of the Technical Personnel seeking recognition meet the criteria specified in Appendix II of the SMPV (U) Rules, 1981, they will be summoned to appear before the PESO Interview Board, consisting of three to four senior officers.

4. The Interview Board will convene quarterly, specifically in January, April, July, and October of each year.

5. During the assessment interview conducted by the Technical Officers Board for granting recognition as a Competent Person/Inspector, discussions cover technical aspects such as experience in design, fabrication, quality control, inspection, testing, operation, and maintenance of pressure vessels and related fittings. Additionally, knowledge of national and international codes, inspection/testing procedures for pressure vessels, and other relevant topics are addressed. The recommendations of the Interview Board are forwarded to the Chief Controller of Explosives for review and final approval of the recognition required under the SMPV (U) Rules, 1981.

PROCESS OF PESO CERTIFICATION

1. Documentation -Complete the application form and include the necessary documents, particularly the ATEX/IECEx certificates and test reports. Ensure that the test reports are no more than two years old. An ATEX certificate confirms that the equipment has undergone comprehensive testing and is deemed safe for use in explosive or hazardous atmospheres. Similarly, IECEx certification validates compliance with standards pertinent to equipment intended for use in explosive or hazardous environments.

2. Submit Application - Submit your application to the PESO authority, providing commercial data such as sales figures, client lists, and customer reviews.

3. Scrutiny -PESO officials will review and authenticate the application and accompanying documents.

4. Audit -Factory audits are conducted selectively, focusing on specific products like pressure vessels.

5. PESO Certification - If PESO officials find the documents and test reports satisfactory, a PESO Certificate will be issued.

6. Licence to AIR - A license is additionally granted to the Authorized Indian Representative.

Note: Once the PESO license is approved, the product can be imported. Typically, internationally recognized test reports like IECEx or ATEX are accepted by authorities. However, if these reports are unavailable, product evaluation must be conducted in India.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR PESO CERTIFICATION

1. Application documents include the application form, a contract with the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for a minimum of five years, and proof of technical competence of the AIR, among others.

2. Business Licence of manufacturer, plant and AIR.

3. Global organization chart.

4. Product ATEX/ IECEx certificates.

5. Test Reports, QAR/QAN.

6. Manufacturer profile.

7. List of production equipment and test instruments.

8. ISO Certificate.

9. Video of the Production facility.

10. Commercial information comprises three years' worth of sales figures, a roster of Indian clients, and details regarding hazardous area installations, such as installation location and the intended usage of the equipment.

TIMELINE

90 - 100 Days

VALIDITY

The license remains valid for a duration of three years and requires renewal thereafter. PESO licenses specifically for static pressure vessels have a three-year validity period and necessitate renewal thereafter.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS