An EAM may be issued for a special or novel material grade not included in a European material standard harmonized under the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). Such a material grade shall have a specification associated with particular chemistry and/or conferring specific mechanical properties or characteristics such as corrosion resistance. These mechanical properties or characteristics shall be supplementary to those in similar harmonised standards.
See also PED Guideline G-15.
An EAM is a route to facilitate the use of safe materials in absence of harmonized standards and to encourage material technology development and innovation.
An EAM shall not be issued for:
- a grade of material listed in a current or former national material standard that has a specification covered by a harmonised European material standard.
- a grade of material which was previously included in a European national material standard but which was not included in the harmonised European material standard which has replaced the European national material standard.
In those cases a PMA is to be drawn up, see PED Guidelines G-21 and Guideline I-13.
Note 1:
A “grade of material” may be designated by use of a material number in accordance with EN 10027-2 in the case of metallic materials.
Note 2:
The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) states that European Approval for Materials (EAMs) shall be withdrawn by the notified body if the type of material is covered by a harmonized standard.