The directive applies to all transportable pressure equipment, including relative accessories and valves, used for transporting class 2 gas, as defined in the attachments of directives 94/55/EC and 96/49/EC, or other dangerous substances enlisted in attachment VI of directive 99/36/EC.
Among transportable pressure equipments are:
- containers (cylinders, pipes, pressure barrels, cryogenic vessels, cylinders framings) as defined in attachment A of directive 94/55/EC;
- cisterns (dismountable cisterns, cistern vehicles tanks, battery tanks).
Besides the (cogent) marking to be launched on the market, the directive applies for:
- (Optional) re-evaluation of compliance for equipment built in accordance with standards in force before the directive (to obtain the pi mark);
- Periodical Inspections (for newly manufactured transportable pressure equipment bearing the pi mark and pre-existing gas cylinders bearing the compliance mark as prescribed by directives 84/525/EEC, 84/526/EEC and 84/527/EEC).
When non-compliant with the obligations of the Directive one can run into sales stoppage, withdrawal from the market of sold products or impossibility of running equipment which has not been correctly verified.
Coming into force:
- from 1 July 2001 optional application only for cylinders and cryogenic vessels;
- from 1 July 2003 compulsory application for cylinders and cryogenic vessels and optional for all remaining transportable pressure equipment;
- from 1 July 2005 compulsory application for all equipment subjected to the TPED Directive (products with no pi mark will not enter the market).

• Manufacturer or importer
• Owner or agent of transportable pressure equipment
• Owner or agent of transportable pressure equipment (with no π mark)

- Certification of transportable pressure equipment and assemblies (π mark)

- Periodical Inspection (for equipment bearing the π mark)

- Equipment re-evaluation of compliance (to obtain the π mark)

- Periodical checks for tanks class 2 ADR (D. MIT. 27.04.2006)