Regulation (EU) 2016/426 establishes the safety, energy and conformity-assessment framework for placing gas-burning appliances and certain fittings on the European Union market. Gas-related products do not, however, automatically share the same scope or conformity route.
At a glance
- GAR covers both “appliances” and the “fittings” defined by the Regulation.
- The distinction depends on a product’s function and how it is placed on the market.
- CE marking is not a standalone certificate; it is the visible result of compliance with applicable legislation.
- The exact standards and assessment route depend on the product characteristics.
Purpose and scope of GAR
GAR covers appliances burning gaseous fuels that are used for cooking, refrigeration, air-conditioning, space heating, hot-water production, lighting or washing. It also covers forced-draught burners and heating bodies intended to be equipped with such burners.
The Regulation considers “normal use”, including correct installation and servicing, operation within stated gas-quality and supply-pressure variations, and use for the intended purpose or in a reasonably foreseeable way.
The difference between an appliance and a fitting
An “appliance” burns gas to perform one of the functions listed in GAR. A “fitting” is a safety, controlling or regulating device or sub-assembly designed to be incorporated into an appliance or assembled to constitute an appliance.
A component is not automatically a GAR fitting simply because it is installed in a gas line. Its intended function, whether it is independently placed on the market and its role in the safety of the finished appliance should be considered together.
Products that may fall outside the scope
GAR lists exclusions including appliances specifically designed for use in industrial processes carried out on industrial premises, appliances specifically designed for aircraft and railways, and appliances specifically designed for temporary research use in laboratories.
Marketing a product as “industrial” does not by itself establish an exclusion. Its specific design for an industrial process and its place of use must be assessed together. Any more specific EU legislation governing the same aspect should also be reviewed.
Essential requirements and standards
GAR sets essential requirements relating to health and safety, safe operation, materials and design, combustion products, temperatures, and control and safety devices. Rational use of energy may be addressed differently where more specific energy legislation applies.
Harmonised standards may provide a presumption of conformity within their scope. They do not replace the legislation: the current citation, scope and fit with the product must be checked.
A general conformity route for manufacturers
- Define the intended use, gas families, pressures and target countries.
- Determine whether the product is an appliance or fitting under GAR and identify other applicable legislation.
- Map essential requirements, risks and applicable technical specifications.
- Prepare the required tests, technical file, instructions and traceability information.
- Follow the applicable conformity-assessment procedure; involve a notified body where that procedure requires one.
- Once conformity is established, draw up the EU Declaration of Conformity and affix the CE marking as prescribed.
- Maintain production conformity, change control and required records.
DERA’s role in the process
DERA supports initial scope review, preparation of a standards and test plan, organisation of technical documentation and coordination with relevant assessment parties.
DERA does not present itself here as a notified body, accredited laboratory or certificate-issuing body. Formal conformity-assessment activities are performed by parties authorised under the applicable rules.
Official sources
Related services
Product-specific scope, technical documentation and test requirements are confirmed at the start of each project.