Certification & Accreditation
The most up-to-date overview of active ASME certification programmes in Europe, with a focus on the nuclear, boiler and pressure vessel sectors. Each logo below corresponds to a programme that 3HCSI manages directly on behalf of its clients.
at a glance
- 8 ASME certification marks covered
- 2 emerging technical fields, hydrogen · next-generation nuclear power
- EVS2025 Guide: ‘The Road to Certification’ available as a PDF
- Priorities on nuclear power, boilers and pressure vessels
Key institutional resources.
ASME
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ProgrammeCertification & Accreditation
General overview of certification programmes
RegulationsCodes & Standards
Standards certifying compliance with globally recognised safety and quality requirements
EventsConference & Events
Technical events and conferences that promote innovation and networking
CommunityASME Membership
Registration with access to exclusive resources, training and professional development
TrainingLearning & Development
Online and face-to-face courses to enhance technical skills
Hydrogen and the new generation of nuclear power.
Two areas in which ASME is actively expanding its codes and dedicated programmes.
Hydrogen’s pioneering role
New hydrogen users are introducing contractual requirements that mandate the use of certified plant and equipment for the production of ‘green hydrogen’.
Hydrogen for the Green Economy
ASME has set up the “Hydrogen for a Green Economy Steering Committee” to coordinate products and services aimed at developing clean hydrogen supply chains.
SMR & Advanced Reactors
Small Modular Reactors and Advanced Reactors: the new generation of nuclear designs and the relevant requirements in Section III and Section XI.
Eight brands, one support programme.
Each ASME mark corresponds to a specific certified capacity, from the manufacture of pressure vessels to nuclear components.
Quality Program for Suppliers
Technical and quality requirements that suppliers must meet in accordance with the applicable ASME standards.
Details →Nuclear Component Certification
Type N and G certificates are issued following a rigorous audit that verifies the adequacy and effective implementation of the quality management system, and authorise the holder to certify and stamp new nuclear components in accordance with Section III of the BPVC: vessels, pumps, valves, pipework, tanks, core support structures, concrete containments and transport packaging.
Details →Nuclear Quality Assurance
Quality assurance requirements for facilities, systems and components relevant to nuclear safety.
Details →Nuclear Material Organization
Quality certification for organisations dealing with nuclear materials, in accordance with Section III of the BPVC, NCA 3300.
Details →Boiler and Pressure Vessel
Manufacture of pressure vessels and boilers in accordance with the ASME BPVC Code.
Details →Parts Fabrication
Manufacture of parts to drawings supplied by a BPV Certificate Holder, without liability for design: Section I, Section IV, Section VIII Div. 1, Section VIII Div. 2, Section XII.
Details →RTP Corrosion-Resistant Equipment
Design, manufacture, inspection and testing requirements for RTP equipment.
Details →Bioprocessing Equipment
Standards for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors: hygienic design, welding and materials.
Details →Three certifications, three areas of responsibility.
The ASME certification mark is the internationally recognised symbol of acceptance, conformity and technical integrity for pressure-retaining components: it certifies that the component has been manufactured, examined, tested and documented in strict accordance with the applicable requirements of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes. Its use is restricted to organisations holding a valid ASME Certificate of Authorization and an approved quality management system, improper or unauthorised use is prohibited, as the mark represents ASME’s highest level of confidence in code compliance and production control. N, QSC and NQA-1 are the three marks most frequently required by the companies in the nuclear sector that we work with, each covers a different area of responsibility within the supply chain.
Nuclear Component Certification
Type N and G certificates are issued following a rigorous audit to verify the suitability and effective implementation of the quality management system, and authorise the holder to certify and stamp new nuclear components in accordance with Section III of the BPVC: vessels, pumps, valves, pipework, tanks, core support structures, concrete containments and transport packaging. NA covers on-site installation and workshop assembly; NPT covers parts, fittings, welded tubular products and pipework sub-assemblies; NS covers supports; NV covers safety valves; N3 covers transport and storage casings. OWN is reserved for plant owners, whilst G and GC cover components made of graphite or composite materials.
Nuclear Material Organization
Introduced in 1973 with the BPVC Winter Addenda, it certifies the quality management system of organisations that manufacture or supply materials to the nuclear sector, bars, sheets, tubes, forgings, castings, fasteners, welding consumables, prestressing systems and concrete reinforcement, in accordance with Section III, NCA 3300.
Nuclear Quality Assurance
Rather than simply certifying a product, it assesses the quality assurance programme as a whole throughout the plant’s entire life cycle, from design to decommissioning. It applies a tiered approach: checks are proportionate to the component’s importance to safety, without placing an undue burden on low-risk activities.
- Nuclear safety: controls over design, procurement, manufacture, testing and corrective actions.
- Regulatory confidence, alignment with 10 CFR 50 Appendix B and the DOE’s quality requirements.
- Management responsibility: quality is the responsibility of line management, not of a single, isolated function.
- Consistent performance: controlled procedures, qualified staff, systematic checks.
- A graded approach to risk, controls that are proportionate to security, complexity and significance.
- Supply chain and procurement: supplier qualification, traceability, technical suitability.
- Continuous improvement, the systematic identification and rectification of non-conformities.
An NQA-1 Quality Programme Certificate does not replace Section III certification for the supply or manufacture of nuclear components; it is not available for military activities or for owners of facilities that use nuclear material; and it does not exempt the holder from customer qualification audits. Further information: go.asme.org/nqa-1 ↗
Boiler & Pressure Vessel e Bioprocessing.
The two ASME standards in greatest demand outside the nuclear sector that we monitor, the first of these is often a stepping stone to the nuclear sector.
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Certification
The most comprehensive programme within the ASME certification system, with over 6,800 certificate holders worldwide. It covers industrial boilers (S, A, E, M, Section I), domestic boilers (H, HLW, Section IV), pressure vessels (U, UM, Section VIII Div. 1; U2, Div. 2; U3 for high pressure, Div. 3), reinforced plastic vessels (RP, Section X), transport tanks (T, Section XII) and pressure relief devices (V, UV and variants, Section XIII). For customers already BPV-certified, this is often the natural starting point for nuclear certifications: Section III is based on the same design principles as Section VIII.
Bioprocessing Equipment Certification
It certifies the quality management system of organisations that manufacture pipework, fittings and valves for the bioprocessing, pharmaceutical and personal care industries, in accordance with the ASME BPE standard. It covers hygienic design, dimensional tolerances, metallic and polymeric materials, welding (typically orbital welding to produce gap-free, cleanable welds) and the surface finish of product-contact areas (mechanical or electropolished), to reduce the risk of bacterial accumulation and contamination. The holder of a BPE Certificate of Authorization may stamp compliant metal components.
What does 3HCSI certify?
Each ASME mark covers a specific production capacity, from the manufacture of pressure vessels to nuclear components. 3HCSI manages the process directly on behalf of its clients. Full details of the requirements and process for each mark can be found in the Member Area, where you can request a pre-assessment from our qualified technicians.
Priority areas
- Nuclear, Section III, NQA-1
- Boiler & Pressure Vessel, BPVC
- Bioprocessing, BPE
Frequently asked questions.
What is the difference between the various ASME certification marks?+
Each mark covers a specific area of production and they are not interchangeable: NE and G relate to the manufacture of nuclear components in accordance with Section III of the BPVC, QSC certifies organisations that manufacture or supply materials to the nuclear sector, NQA-1 verifies the entire quality assurance programme: not a single product —, BPV covers conventional boilers and pressure vessels, PRT covers the manufacture of parts to third-party drawings, RTP-1 covers corrosion-resistant thermoset equipment, whilst BPE covers the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. The choice depends on what the company manufactures and which supply chain it operates within.
What does the guide ‘EVS2025, The Road to Certification’ contain?+
A concise PDF guide to ASME certification schemes, designed to provide an initial overview to help you understand which mark to apply for before starting the process with ASME.
Does 3HCSI issue the certificates directly?+
No. 3HCSI is the official ASME liaison in Europe: it guides and oversees the process (from the PRA application to the management of documentation) on behalf of the client, but the mark and Certificate of Authorization are issued directly by ASME upon completion of the quality system audit.
How do you choose the right brand for your business?+
Email team@3hcsi.com: we will work with you to assess the most suitable approach based on your sector, production capacity and applicable standards, with a preliminary pre-assessment carried out by our qualified technicians.
Not sure which brand you need?
Write to us: let’s work together to identify the most suitable certification pathway for your business.