Why CE air tanks are much more expensive than normal air tanks?
During custom air tanks from air tank factory, customers will find that the CE air receiver tanks are significantly more expensive than normal air storage tanks. It is somewhat an added value of safety, quality, regulations, and brand value. Customers are paying for not only just steel and air tank production, but also a legally backed safety guarantee.
Here are a few main reasons why CE air storage tanks are expensive:
1. Main reason is strict certification and compliance costs
- the CE mark is the "passport" for air tanks to enter the European market. It's not simply a quality certification, but a legally mandatory mark indicating that the air tank complies with Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU.
- CE air tank has complex certification process. Air tanks are classified into different risk categories (A1,A2,G) based on parameters such as the design pressure and volume. Higher categories have stricter requirements.
- air tank manufacturers need to prepare a large amount of technical documents for review, including detailed design calculations, risk assessments, material certification, quality control system documents, etc.
- Notified Bodies conduct rigorous on-site assessments and regular monitoring of the air tank factory quality management system.
- the air tank factory has to engage an EU Notified Body for audits, testing, and certification, which is very expensive and incurs ongoing annual fees.
2. Higher design and manufacturing standards
Design standards: CE air tank design must be based on EN standards, lifetime and safety in extreme conditions must be fully considered during design.
Material requirements: All steel and welding materials used in CE air tanks must have traceable material certification and comply with EU material directives. Strict regulations apply to material chemical composition, mechanical properties, impact toughness, and other indicators.
Welding process and welder qualifications:welding processes must undergo rigorous assessment and certification.Welders must hold a welder qualification certificate recognized by the EU (e.g. according to ISO 9606 or EN 287).
Welds need to undergo a higher proportion of non-destructive testing (such as X-ray and ultrasonic testing), and must be operated and evaluated by qualified personnel.
3. Excellent quality control and traceability
Full-process quality control: From material incoming, cutting, coiling, welding, assembly, and final testing, every process is documented.
High traceability: Each air tank has a unique ID (nameplate and product number), which allows traceability to every steel plate, welder, and inspection record.
4. Strict outgoing inspection：
Hydrostatic test: Test pressures far exceeding the working pressure of air tanks, ensure the air tank structural integrity under extreme conditions.
Air Tightness test: Ensures no leakage under all conditions.
Safety accessories: Supporting safety valves, pressure gauges, and other accessories must also be CE-certified to ensure precise and reliable operation.
Due to the above reasons, the CE air tanks are more than just a storage container, they are a reliable safety system. So the price is much higher than normal air tanks.
YCZX, as professional air tank factory who has been in air tank manufacturing for more than 10 years, has got CE certificates for some air tanks, 20L/30L stainless steel air tanks, and 40L/50L/60L/80L/100L carbon steel air tanks. For these existing air tanks, no need to pay extra CE cost, but should be exactly the same as the existing design.
Welcome to contact YCZX to custom CE air tanks.
