2. From design to operational monitoring

2.1 Responsibilities

Pressure vessel regulations resulting from the decrees of 1926 and 1943, as well as the decree of 26/02/1974, identified a "manufacturer" responsibility, including a "designer" function, and a "user" responsibility. The safety regulations extended the responsibility of the user, now referred to as the "operator". The manufacturer fell into the category of service providers working under the responsibility of one or the other.

In particular, for the application of the RCC-M, the manufacturer draws up the equipment specification and has it endorsed by the operator, and is responsible for manufacturing, whether this is done in his workshops or by a subcontractor. The term "manufacturer" had no regulatory definition, but it was customary to...