French notification regarding defective pressure oil separator tanks

The State Agency for Metrological and Technical Supervision (SAMTS) received notification INFO/00022/25 from France, distributed on May 8, 2025 through the Safety Gate rapid information exchange system. The notification was created on April 24, 2025 and was received by the Consumer Protection Commission, which is the contact point for Bulgaria under the European Rapid Information Exchange System for Dangers arising from the use of consumer and professional goods.

The notification concerns the product category "Pressure vessels/equipment", specifically "Simple pressure vessel" with the name "Oil separators" and the brand "BWB-Behalter-WERK". Batch numbers from 118090 to 118441 are affected, with the product being a cylinder about 1 meter high and 50 centimeters in diameter, which is not sold in a specific packaging.

The provisions of Directive 2009/105 EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 on simple pressure vessels, which is in force until April 20, 2016, apply. The type of risk is classified as "injuries" and the overall level is assessed as "low".

Laboratory tests have found that the welding of the products is defective - the penetration of the welds is incomplete and there is insufficient welding material, making the products prone to brittleness. The detected defect leads to the appearance of fatigue cracks and the risk of bursting, in which case the user could be injured.

However, the risk is considered low, as the tests have shown that the life of the products is at least 20 years of use after their first commissioning. The main users have been notified by letter from the distributor of the possibility to replace the products free of charge until December 31, 2032.

The detected defect constitutes non-compliance with Directive 2009/105 EC, and the laboratory tests carried out are in accordance with the standards DIN EN 13018 (06.2016) and DIN EN ISO 17637 (04.2017). The oil separators have technical characteristics PS 16 bar, V 21 l, Tmax 120°C, Tmin -10°C, which show that they are not within the scope of the Ordinance on the Structure, Safe Operation and Technical Supervision of Pressure Equipment and are not equipment with increased danger.

The vessel is intended for integration/completion with a screw compressor, model ASK 32 T, serial number 1327, manufactured by KAESER KOMPRESSOREN AG.