The European Union’s (EU) New Legislative Framework (NLF), which was set forth in 2008, has sharpened the focus on importer and distributor responsibilities as they relate to importing or placing CE-marked (European Conformity) products on the market. This focus is reflected in the recasting of several EU directives that affect the valve and equipment industries, including Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/068/EC and Equipment for Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX) Directive 2014/ 034/EC.

Plant engineers are saddled with an important task: outfitting their plants with the most reliable, high quality and cost-effective valves for their applications within their allotted budgets. But choosing the right valve is a complex process that has a major impact on plant operations as well as revenue.

A swiftly growing fire erupts from a piece of malfunctioning equipment at a plant that has a reputation for reliable operations and very few workplace accidents. On this day, however, black smoke quickly begins to billow from the plant as employees scatter—some to get fire extinguishers and some to evacuate guests unaware of the danger that is unfolding.

Since the Valve Manufacturers Association added its newest category of membership—distributors/channel partners—early this year, the association has received an enthusiastic response adding 10 new members in the first half of the year.