Unified European Standards (EN) of Materials

Abstract

Problems and issues related to specifications for pressure vessel materials in Russia and Eastern Europe, two areas regarded with promise as inexpensive procurement sources for such materials. It was found that, in Europe as a whole (and, of course, in Eastern Europe as well), much progress is being made toward the adoption of unified European standards (EN) in place of various national standards. Described in this paper are the enactment of these standards, progress in the area of materials, accommodation to the standards in Eastern Europe, and their relation to existing national standards. Also discussed are the issues that this movement toward unified European standards poses for Japan.