Like most industrial sectors, the compressed air industry follows regulations and standards defined by legislation in addition to optional recommendations. Sometimes these regulations become binding when they come into force through legislation. For instance, if a standard is quoted in a commercial agreement, it can thereby be made binding. Binding regulations can apply to safety for people and property whereas optional standards can be used to facilitate working with specifications, selection of quality, performing and reporting measurements, manufacturing drawings, etc.
Why standards are important
International standardization benefits manufactures, intermediate parties and final customers because it increases the interchangeability of products and systems, and allows performance reviews to be evaluated on equal terms. These performance reviews may include operational, environmental and safety aspects.
Legislators frequently refer to standards as a way of creating uniform market impacts. These standards may be produced, issued and maintained by standardization organizations on national and international levels. Some international organizations establishing standards include the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).
Within the compressed air industry, standards may also be produced by trade associations, such as:
- PNEUROP (European committee of manufacturers for compressed air equipment, vacuum pumps, pneumatic tools and allied equipment)
- CAGI (United States Compressed Air and Gas Institute)
For the most up-to-date information on industry standards, make sure to check with the issuing body.
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