Modern power devices that operate with high efficiency require the use of suitable steel tubes, to guarantee their long-term, safe and trouble-free operation. Steel tubes are important structural materials used in these facilities. These tubes are often referred to as boiler tubes.

Pressure equipment made from tubes for pressure purposes have to comply following European regulations:

1. Directive of the European Parliament and the Council  2014/68/EV (before PED 9723EC) applicable to specified pressure equipment. Pressure equipment within the meaning of this Directive withstand max. allowable pressure (PS) greater than 0.5 bar, and it is a pressure above the normal atmospheric pressure, i.e. excess pressure.

2. According to the Directive PED 2014/68/EV pressure equipment is divided into three types, which are subject to the harmonized EN standards:

2.1 Steam and hot water boilers - EN 12952 and EN 12953

2.2 Pressure Vessels (unheated) - EN 13445

2.3 Metallic industrial pipeline - EN 13480

3. Parts 2 of these harmonized standards prescribed materials used for construction of equipment which is exposed to pressure (In the case that other materials are used than those listed in Part 2 of the quoted standards, it is up to assessment whether these materials need to use a special procedure). Steel tubes must be supplied in accordance with EN 10216-2, EN 10216-3, EN 10216-4, EN 10217-2, EN 10217-3, EN 10217-4, EN 10217-5, EN 10217-6 (for carbon and low alloy steel).

Note: in the past, even on the international scale, the German regulations for pressure equipment TRD, TRB, TRR, AD-Merkblatt were used. For the transition period regulations AD2000 - Merkblatt were prepared, where the steel is according to EN.