Key differences between API and ISO standards
Valve manufacturers are required to meet certain standards of quality to manufacture , operate and provide products that are certified to the customer specific operating conditions for their applications . This article focuses specifically on the key differences between API and ISO .
By Mani Pilla , Mechanical Engineer – Smith Valves
Equivalents & comparisons
The American Petroleum Institute ( API ) and the International Standards Organisation ( ISO ) are two major regulatory organisations intended to establish guidelines for both manufacturers and end users in the valve selection , manufacture , design , lab ( type ) testing & certification , quality , and to drive standardisation among the largely competitive oil and gas market to operate continuously at the best possible efficiency . API is solely dedicated to the petroleum and energy industries while ISO rarely publishes industry-specific standards . In the past , there has been cooperation between ISO and US valve standards makers , however due to local governing regulations , requirements , and inability to reach agreements regarding intellectual property rights , there has been a shift in design and testing standard requirements . Using API and ISO Certified valves helps to not only improve production and revenue , but more importantly safety and quality . There are many equivalent designs , testing and quality standards between API and ISO , here are some examples that pertain to the valve market that standout :
• API 6A & ISO 10423
• API 6D & ISO 14313
• API 600 & ISO 10434
• API 602 & ISO 15761
• API 608 & ISO 17292
• API 598 & ISO 5208
• API 624 , API 641 & ISO 15848-1
• API 6FA , API 6FB , API 6FD (“ API 6F Series ”),
• API 607 & ISO 10497
• API Q1 & ISO 9001 and many more .
Certification
While API necessitates companies to implement standards for licensing and certification , ISO remains a certification body where participation is predominantly voluntary . For leading manufactures , implementing both sets of quality standards is part of the cost of doing business . Both organisations establish a minimum set of design parameters with which the manufacturer must comply to claim design conformity , but the actual quality of product and its safety for intended use is displayed through the valve testing and certification process . Qualification / certifications ensure the product meets certain design standards and desired functionality expectations .
Top ISO & API certifications to consider in the valve market
1 . Fugitive emissions testing : With an increasing number of consent decrees set forth by the Environmental Protectional Agency ( EPA ) to abide by the Clean Air Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions , valve fugitive emission control has been a hot topic in the US market . It is also a growing concern in the refinery and chemical process industries and lot of work is put in place to set acceptable limits and criteria . API has since developed the standard API 622 : type testing of process valve packing for fugitive emissions . This standard is to guide the packing manufacturers to set limits for the packing , in order to meet the EPA consent decree requirements . The latest developments in the standard π www . valve-world . net Valve World November 2022
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