Disclaimer: The English language text below is provided by the Translation and Terminology Centre for information only; it confers no rights and imposes no obligations separate from those conferred or imposed by the legislation formally adopted and published. Only the latter is authentic. The original Latvian text uses masculine pronouns in the singular. The Translation and Terminology Centre uses the principle of gender-neutral language in its English translations. In addition, gender-specific Latvian nouns have been translated as gender-neutral terms, e.g. chairperson.

Republic of Latvia Cabinet Regulation No. 163 Adopted 10 April 2001

Regulations on Appliances in which Gaseous Fuels are Utilised

Issued pursuant to Section 7 of the Law on Conformity Assessment

1. General Provisions

1. These Regulations prescribe the essential requirements for appliances which utilise gaseous fuels (hereinafter - gas appliances) and a supervisory mechanism for compliance with these requirements, as well as the procedures for conformity assessment of gas appliances in order that gas appliances do not cause a threat to humans and the environment.

2. These Regulations shall apply to gas appliances utilising gaseous fuels (any fuel that under a pressure of 10^-5 pascals (1 bar) and at a temperature of 15°C is in gaseous state of aggregation) and which are:

2.1. appliances used for cooking, water heating and space heating;

2.2. refrigeration appliances;

2.3. washing machines and similar appliances with maximum water temperature not exceeding 105°C;

2.4. lighting appliances; and

2.5. safety, controlling and regulating devices of gas appliances or fittings thereof (hereinafter - fittings of gas appliances).

3. Gas appliances shall be designed and produced in accordance with the essential safety requirements referred to in Chapter 6 of these Regulations so that they:

3.1. can be installed, used and regularly serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions;

3.2. precisely serve the intended purpose; and

3.3. are safe for use within the foreseeable gas quality limits and fluctuations of gas supply pressure.

4. The Ministry of Economics in co-operation with the relevant technical committee for standardisation shall recommend to the non-profit-making organisation State limited liability company Latvijas standarts [Latvian Standard] a list of adaptable standards.

5. The non-profit-making organisation State limited liability company Latvijas standarts shall submit for publication in the newspaper Latvijas Vēstnesis [the official Gazette of the Government of Latvia] a list of Latvian national standards and harmonised standards of the European Union which may be applied toward fulfilment of the essential safety requirements set out in Chapter 6 of these Regulations (hereinafter - applicable standard).

6. Gas appliances shall be considered as conforming to the essential safety requirements set out in Chapter 6 of these Regulations if they have been manufactured in accordance with requirements prescribed in applicable standards and compliance with these requirements has been confirmed in accordance with the procedures set out in Chapter 2 of these Regulations.

7. The Ministry of Economics shall submit to the Cabinet proposals regarding authorisation of competent conformity assessment institutions for carrying out assessment of gas appliances in accordance with the requirements of these Regulations.

8. The Cabinet shall authorise a conformity assessment institution (hereinafter - authorised institution) to assess conformity of gas appliances if it ensures compliance with the following minimum requirements:

8.1. the authorised institution shall have at its disposal appropriate personnel and technical facilities enabling adequate performance of the administrative and technical tasks which are connected with examination and supervisory procedures;

8.2. the personnel responsible for examinations shall have:

8.2.1. relevant professional and technical training;

8.2.2. sufficient knowledge of examination procedures and experience in performing examinations;

8.2.3. skills in drawing up of accounts, reports and certificates; and

8.2.4. remuneration that shall not be dependent on the amount and results of examinations or tests;

8.3. the authorised institution (also its manager and personnel) that is responsible for conformity assessment of gas appliances shall not be the designer, manufacturer, supplier, installer or user of the appliances or an authorised representative of these persons. It shall be free from any kind of influence (also financial) which may affect the decision or results of the examination. Especially this applies to the persons interested in the results of assessment. The exchange of technical information between the manufacturer, its authorised representative or importer and the authorised institution is permitted;

8.4. the personnel of the authorised institution shall observe confidentiality and shall not disclose information which they have gained in performing their work duties, except the information which is officially required by institutions which in accordance with these Regulations and other regulatory enactments perform supervision and control of gas appliances; and

8.5. the authorised institution shall have insured its civil liability in respect of the results of the work it is authorised to perform.

9. The Latvian National Accreditation Bureau, which has evaluated the competence of the authorised institution shall regularly examine the fulfilment of the requirements specified in Paragraph 8 of these Regulations.

2. Conformity Confirmation Procedures

10. Gas appliances, which have been manufactured as a single unit or in a small batch (up to 10 units), shall be assessed by the authorised institution in accordance with Sub-chapter 3.6 of these Regulations.

11. Gas appliances which have been volume-produced (more than 10 units) shall be assessed by the authorised institution according to the procedures specified in Sub-chapter 3.1 of these Regulations using one (at the manufacturer's choice) of the following methods:

11.1. perform selective examination of gas appliances not less than once a year in accordance with Sub-chapter 3.2 of these Regulations;

11.2. assess the manufacturer's quality system during the manufacturing process of the appliances in accordance with Sub-chapter 3.3 of these Regulations;

11.3. assess the manufacturer's quality system during the manufacturing process of the appliances in accordance with Sub-chapter 3.4 of these Regulations; or

11.4. examine appliances in accordance with Sub-chapter 3.5 of these Regulations.

12. When manufacturing fittings of gas appliances the manufacturer shall confirm the conformity with the requirements of these Regulations in accordance with the procedures set out in Paragraphs 10 and 11 of these Regulations. In the conformity declaration accompanying the fittings of gas appliances the manufacturer shall clearly indicate the essential safety requirement which the relevant fitting assists in ensuring and the technical indicators of the fitting, measure of characteristics and explanations how it should be installed.

13. Fittings of gas appliances do not have to be labelled in accordance with the procedures set out in Chapter 4 of these Regulations.

14. The manufacturer shall draw up the technical documentation pertaining to the conformity assessment procedures in the Latvian language or any other language acceptable to the authorised institution.

3. Procedures for Conformity Assessment

3.1. Type-Examination of Gas Appliances (Module B)

15. Type-examination of gas appliances is a procedure whereby the authorised institution on the basis of an application by the manufacturer, its authorised representative, importer or distributor of gas appliances (hereinafter - manufacturer of gas appliances) shall examine a specimen of a gas appliance and shall approve (certify) that the relevant specimen of the gas appliance meets the requirements of these Regulations.

16. The application for type-examination of gas appliances shall be submitted by the manufacturer of gas appliances to the authorised institution, indicating the name and address of the manufacturer of gas appliances, as well as a written confirmation that such application with respect to this specimen has not been submitted to any other authorised institution.

17. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall attach to the application referred to in Paragraph 16 of these Regulations design documentation that shall include the following information:

17.1. a general description of the gas appliance;

17.2. general view and detailed drawings, drawings of fittings and separate blocks of the gas appliance, diagrams and schemes;

17.3. description of the separate components of the gas appliance and explanations regarding their operation, as well as the operation of the gas appliance in general;

17.4. a list of applicable standards used in full or in part, as well as a description of technical solutions in order to ensure the compliance with the essential safety requirements if the applicable standards have not been used;

17.5. trial and test reports;

17.6. instructions for assembly and use of the gas appliance;

17.7. documents regarding calibration of the fittings to be used with the gas appliance; and

17.8. any other information which assists the authorised institution with the performance of conformity assessment.

18. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall place at the disposal of the authorised institution a specimen of the gas appliance that corresponds to a certain type of the gas appliance. The authorised institution may request additional specimens if needed for the test programme.

19. The authorised institution shall:

19.1. examine the design documentation and assess whether the specimen of the gas appliance has been manufactured in accordance with the documentation;

19.2. identify those elements of the gas appliance which have been manufactured in accordance with the applicable standards and verify their conformity with the requirements of the relevant standards; and

19.3. perform appropriate examinations or tests in order to verify that the solutions used by the manufacturer of gas appliances are sufficiently effective to ensure conformity with the essential safety requirements.

20. If the specimen of the gas appliance meets the requirements of these Regulations, the authorised institution shall issue to the manufacturer of gas appliances the type-examination certificate which shall contain the name and address of the gas appliance, conclusions of the examination, as well as the conditions for the use of the certificate.

21. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall annex to the type-examination certificate of the gas appliance technical descriptions, diagrams and drawings which are required for identification of the specimen certified (hereinafter - annexes to the certificate).

22. The authorised institution shall inform other authorised institutions of the issued type-examination certificate of the gas appliance, as well as any changes pertaining to the type of the gas appliance. The authorised institutions may request and receive a copy of the type-examination certificate of the gas appliance, as well as the annexes thereto, copies of type-examination reports and test reports of the gas appliance.

23. If the authorised institution refuses to issue the type-examination certificate of the gas appliance to the manufacturer or withdraws it, it shall notify the market supervision institution referred to in Chapter 5 of these Regulations and other authorised institutions and shall give the reasons for taking the relevant decision.

24. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall inform the relevant authorised institution of all modifications to the certified type of the gas appliance which may affect conformity of the gas appliance with the requirements of these Regulations, and shall receive from the authorised institution an additional approval which shall be added in the form of an annex to the type-examination certificate of the gas appliance.

3.2. Conformity of Gas Appliances to the Certified Type (Module C)

25. Conformity of the gas appliance to the certified type is a procedure whereby the manufacturer of gas appliances shall ensure that the relevant gas appliance conforms with the type indicated in the type-examination certificate of the gas appliance and the requirements of these Regulations, and shall declare it.

26. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall label each gas appliance with the CE marking which shall be supplemented with the identification number of the authorised institution which carried out examinations referred to in Paragraph 28 of these Regulations, and shall draw up a written declaration of conformity. The declaration may be drawn up for one gas appliance or a batch of gas appliances and the manufacturer of gas appliances shall keep it for not less than 10 years after the last time when such appliance was placed on the Latvian market.

27. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall perform all necessary activities so that the manufacturing process (including examination and testing of finished product) ensures the homogeneity of production and conformity of the gas appliance with the certified type and requirements of these Regulations.

28. Not less than once a year, freely setting the time for examination, the authorised institution shall perform selective on-site examinations of gas appliances. In order to ensure conformity of gas appliances with these Regulations the authorised institution shall examine a certain number of gas appliances and shall carry out tests specified in applicable standards. The authorised institution shall take a decision in each separate case whether to carry out testing in full or in part. If one gas appliance or a batch of gas appliances does not meet the requirements of these Regulations, the authorised institution shall take measures to prevent further labelling of the relevant gas appliances with CE markings.

3.3. Production Quality Assurance of Gas Appliances (Module D)

29. Production quality assurance of a gas appliance is a procedure whereby the manufacturer of gas appliances shall ensure that the relevant production quality system ensures the conformity of the gas appliance with the type indicated in the type-examination certificate of the gas appliance and meets the requirements of these Regulations, and shall declare it.

30. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall label each gas appliance with the CE marking which has been supplemented with the identification number of the authorised institution which performs the supervision of the quality system referred to in Paragraph 41 of these Regulations, and shall draw up a written declaration of conformity. The declaration may be drawn up for one gas appliance or a batch of gas appliances and the manufacturer of gas appliances shall keep it for not less than 10 years after the last time when such appliance was placed on the Latvian market.

31. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall maintain a production quality system that ensures conformity of gas appliances with the type indicated in the type-examination certificate of the gas appliance and with the requirements of these Regulations. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall provide the authorised institution with the possibility to perform supervision of the production quality system.

32. In order to certify the conformity of production quality system of the gas appliance, the manufacturer of gas appliances shall submit to the authorised institution an application that shall include the following information:

32.1. documentation of the production quality system;

32.2. confirmation to carry out the obligations imposed by the production quality system; and

32.3. confirmation to maintain the quality system in order to ensure its continued suitability and effectiveness.

33. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall attach to the application referred to in Paragraph 32 the copy of the type-examination certificate of the gas appliance and documentation which refers to the approved type of the gas appliance.

34. All criteria, requirements and considerations which are used by the manufacturer of gas appliances in their manufacturing shall be systematically documented in descriptions of procedures and measures, and instructions (hereinafter - quality system documentation).

35. The quality system documentation shall ensure uniform interpretation of quality programmes, plans, manuals and records, paying special attention to the description of the following elements of the quality system:

35.1. the objectives of the quality system, the organisational structure of the undertaking, responsibility and powers of the management of the undertaking with regard to the quality of gas appliances;

35.2. a description of gas appliance manufacturing process, quality management and quality assurance methods and systematic actions used;

35.3. the examinations and tests that are carried out before the commencement of the manufacturing process, during manufacturing process and after it and the frequency with which they are carried out; and

35.4. the ensuring and monitoring of the quality level of gas appliances, as well as the ensuring of an effective quality system.

36. The authorised institution shall examine and evaluate the production quality system of the gas appliance in order to determine whether it complies with the requirements specified in Paragraphs 34 and 35 of these Regulations. If the quality system has been certified in accordance with the applicable standards, the authorised institution may recognise that the requirements specified in Paragraphs 34 and 35 of these Regulations have been complied with.

37. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall inform the authorised institution which evaluated the production quality system in writing of all changes planned in the production quality system (for example, introduction of new technologies or the ensuring of higher quality).

38. The authorised institution shall examine the changes in the production quality system of the manufacturer of gas appliances and shall take a decision whether the modified production quality system complies with the prescribed criteria and whether a repeated conformity assessment is needed.

39. The authorised institution shall notify the manufacturer of gas appliances of its decision and, if necessary, provide a substantiated opinion regarding the necessity to perform a repeated conformity assessment of the modified production quality system.

40. The authorised institution shall notify other authorised institutions if it determines that the quality system of the manufacturer of gas appliances fails to ensure conformity of gas appliances with the requirements of these Regulations.

41. The authorised institution shall monitor the quality system of the manufacturer of gas appliances during the gas appliance manufacturing process in order to ensure that the manufacturer of gas appliances fully meets the conditions of the approved production quality system.

42. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall ensure the access of the representatives of the authorised institution to the manufacturing, testing and storing premises for examination purposes and shall provide them with the following necessary information:

42.1. the documentation for the production quality system; and

42.2. opinions regarding test results, as well as testing and calibration reports and staff qualification certificates.

43. The authorised institution shall perform the quality system control of the manufacturer of gas appliances not less than once every two years in the form of unannounced visits.

44. During examinations the authorised institution may carry out tests on gas appliances or request the manufacturer of gas appliances to produce testing reports and inspection reports regarding such examinations.

45. The authorised institution upon a request of the manufacturer of gas appliances shall submit to the manufacturer a report regarding all examinations carried out.

3.4. Quality Assurance of Gas Appliances (Module E)

46. Quality assurance of the gas appliance is a procedure whereby the manufacturer of gas appliances shall ensure that the relevant gas appliance conforms with the type described in the examination certificate and with the requirements of these Regulations, and shall declare it.

47. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall label each gas appliance with the CE marking which has been supplemented with the identification number of the authorised institution which performs the monitoring of the quality system referred to in Paragraph 59 of these Regulations and draw up a written declaration of conformity. The declaration may be drawn up for one gas appliance or a batch of gas appliances and the manufacturer of gas appliances shall keep it for not less than 10 years after the last time when such appliance was placed on the Latvian market.

48. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall maintain a quality system that ensures the final inspections and tests of gas appliances, as well as ensure its monitoring.

49. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall submit an application for approval of the conformity of the gas appliance quality system to the authorised institution of their choice, which shall be accompanied by the following information:

49.1. documentation regarding the production quality system;

49.2. confirmation to perform the obligations imposed by the production quality system; and

49.3. confirmation to maintain the quality system in order to ensure its continued suitability and effectiveness.

50. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall attach to the application referred to in Paragraph 49 of these Regulations a copy of the type-examination certificate of the gas appliance and the documentation regarding the approved type of the gas appliance.

51. Within the quality system of the gas appliance the manufacturer of gas appliances shall ensure examination of each gas appliance and performance of the appropriate tests in accordance with the applicable standards in order to verify the conformity of all manufactured gas appliances with the requirements of these Regulations.

52. All criteria, requirements and considerations which are used by the manufacturer of gas appliances in final inspections of gas appliances shall be systematically documented in descriptions of procedures and measures, and instructions (hereinafter - quality system documentation).

53. The quality system documentation shall ensure uniform interpretation of quality programmes, plans, manuals and records, paying special attention to the description of the following elements of the quality system:

53.1. the organisational structure of the undertaking and responsibility and powers of the management of the undertaking with regard to the quality of gas appliances;

53.2. the checks and tests to be carried out after manufacturing; and

53.3. the ensuring of an effective quality system.

54. The authorised institution shall examine and evaluate the quality system to determine whether it meets the requirements referred to in Paragraphs 52 and 53 of these Regulations. If the quality system has been certified in accordance with the applicable standards, the authorised institution may recognise that the requirements referred to in Paragraphs 52 and 53 of these Regulations have been complied with.

55. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall inform the authorised institution, which evaluated the production quality system, in writing of all changes planned in the production quality system (for example, introduction of new technologies or the ensuring of a higher quality).

56. The authorised institution shall examine the changes in the production quality system of the manufacturer of gas appliances and shall take a decision whether the modified production quality system complies with the prescribed criteria and whether a repeated conformity assessment is needed.

57. The authorised institution shall notify the manufacturer of gas appliances of its decision and, if necessary, provide a substantiated opinion regarding the necessity to perform a repeated conformity assessment of the modified production quality system.

58. The authorised institution shall notify other authorised institutions if it determines that the quality system of the manufacturer of gas appliances fails to ensure conformity of gas appliances with the requirements of these Regulations.

59. The authorised institution shall monitor the quality system of the manufacturer of gas appliances during final inspections of gas appliances in order to ensure that the manufacturer of the gas appliance fully meets the conditions of the approved production quality system.

60. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall ensure the access of the representatives of the authorised institution to the testing and storing premises for examination purposes and shall provide them with the following necessary information:

60.1. the documentation for the quality system of the gas appliance; and

60.2. opinions regarding test results, as well as testing and calibration reports and personnel qualification certificates.

61. The authorised institution shall perform the quality system control of the manufacturer of gas appliances not less than once every two years in the form of unannounced visits.

62. During examinations the authorised institution may carry out tests on gas appliances or request the manufacturer of gas appliances to produce testing reports and inspection reports regarding such examinations.

63. The authorised institution on the basis of a request of the manufacturer of gas appliances shall submit to the manufacturer the report with respect to all examinations carried out.

3.5. Verification of Gas Appliances (Module F)

64. Verification of the gas appliance is a procedure whereby the manufacturer of gas appliances shall ensure that the relevant gas appliance conforms to the type described in the examination certificate and with the requirements of these Regulations, and shall declare it.

65. The manufacturer of the gas appliance shall label each gas appliance with the CE marking and draw up a written conformity declaration. The declaration may be drawn up for one gas appliance or a batch of gas appliances and the manufacturer of the gas appliance shall keep it for not less than 10 years after the last time when such appliance was placed on the Latvian market.

66. Verification of the gas appliance may be performed in one of the following ways (at the choice of the manufacturer of gas appliances):

66.1. the authorised institution examines and tests each gas appliance, or

66.2. the authorised institution examines and checks gas appliances on the basis of statistical methods and data.

67. Each gas appliance shall be examined and tested by the authorised institution according to the following procedure:

67.1. tests specified in the applicable standards or equivalent tests shall be carried out in order to verify the conformity of the gas appliance with the requirements of these Regulations and the type described in the examination certificate; and

67.2. each gas appliance, which conforms to the type described in the examination certificate and the requirements of these Regulations, shall be labelled with individual identification number and a conformity certificate shall be drawn up.

68. The manufacturer of gas appliances who certifies the conformity with the requirements of these Regulations based on statistical methods and data, shall deliver to the authorised institution homogeneous batches of gas appliances and shall take the necessary measures to ensure constant homogeneity of manufactured production in all batches of the gas appliance.

69. The authorised institution shall perform checks of gas appliances based on statistical methods and data according to the following procedures:

69.1. gas appliances shall be grouped into identical batches consisting of units of a single model which have been manufactured in similar conditions; and

69.2. the tests specified in the applicable standards or equivalent tests shall be carried out at random in order to verify the conformity of gas appliances with the requirements of these Regulations and the type described in the examination certificate, applying the following criteria to the sampling:

69.2.1. a quality level corresponding to a 95 % probability of acceptance shall not exceed the probability of non-conformity in the range between 0.5 and 1.5 per cent; and

69.2.2. a quality level corresponding to a 5 % probability of acceptance shall not exceed the probability of non-conformity in the range between 5 and 10 per cent.

70. After co-ordination with the authorised institution the manufacturer of gas appliances may label the gas appliances with the identification number of the authorised institution already during the manufacturing process.

71. All batches of gas appliances may be placed on the Latvian market with exception of those the sample of which has not been recognised as conforming.

72. If a batch of gas appliances has been rejected, the authorised institution shall take the necessary measures to prevent placing of the relevant batch on the Latvian market.

73. If the batch of the gas appliance is rejected repeatedly, the authorised institution may cancel the verification that is based on statistical methods and data.

74. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall ensure that the certificate issued by the authorised institution is available to market supervision authorities not less than 10 years after the last time when such appliance was placed on the Latvian market.

3.6. Verification of Gas Appliances by Unit (Module G)

75. Verification of gas appliances by unit is a procedure whereby the manufacturer of the gas appliance shall ensure that the relevant gas appliance, which has received a certificate, complies with the requirements of these Regulations, and shall declare it.

76. The manufacturer of gas appliance shall label each gas appliance with the CE marking and draw up a written conformity declaration which shall be kept for not less than 10 years after the last time when such appliance was placed on the Latvian market

77. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall provide the authorised institution with the design documentation specified in Paragraph 17 of these Regulations.

78. The authorised institution shall examine the gas appliance and carry out the necessary tests in order to evaluate the conformity of the gas appliance with the design documentation and the requirements of these Regulations. If the authorised institution considers it necessary the examination and tests shall be carried out after the gas appliance is assembled and installed.

79. The authorised institution shall label the gas appliance, which meets the requirements of these Regulations, with its identification number and draw up a conformity certificate.

80. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall ensure that the certificate issued by the authorised institution is available to market supervision authorities not less than 10 years after the last time when such appliance was placed on the Latvian market.

4. Labelling

81. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall label each gas appliance with the CE marking (annex) in accordance with the procedures set out in Chapter 3 of these Regulations and so that the mark is clearly visible and legible and does not fade either before or during the use of the gas appliance.

82. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall add to the mark the name or identification symbols of the manufacturer of the appliance, the type of electrical supply used (if the gas appliance is intended for connection to electricity) and the category of the gas appliance. Depending on the type of the gas appliance, information necessary for assembly may be added.

83. If other regulatory enactments set out requirements regarding labelling with the CE marking and these requirements apply to the gas appliance, it is permitted to use the CE marking only if the relevant appliance complies with the requirements set out in all regulatory enactments.

84. It is prohibited to affix to the gas appliance markings and signs that may be easily confused with the CE marking.

5. Market Supervision

85. The market supervision of gas appliances shall be carried out by the Consumer Rights Protection Centre (hereinafter - the market supervision authority).

86. If the gas appliance fails to comply with the requirements of these Regulations and the manufacturer of gas appliances fails to rectify the non-compliance, the market supervision authority in conformity with its competence shall take measures for suspending the placement of the gas appliance on the Latvian market and prohibit the sale thereof.

87. Offering or advertising of gas appliances, which fail to comply with the requirements of these Regulations, in fairs, exhibitions and similar events shall be permissible if gas appliances are accompanied by a clearly visible indication that it is prohibited to purchase and use them until the manufacturer or distributor of gas appliances has not ensured compliance with the requirements of these Regulations.

88. If the market supervision authority finds that a gas appliance bearing the CE marking is used correctly but it causes a threat to human health and life or harm to the environment, the market supervision authority shall suspend the placement of the relevant gas appliance on the Latvian market and shall prohibit its use, but the relevant information shall be sent to the manufacturer or importer of gas appliances and published in the newspaper Latvijas Vēstnesis.

89. Conformity assessment approvals and certifications of gas appliances which have been issued in foreign states shall be recognised in the Republic of Latvia in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 184 of 30 May 2000, Procedure for Recognition of Conformity Assessment Approvals and Certifications Issued in Foreign States.

90. If the manufacturer or importer of gas appliances is not registered in the Republic of Latvia pursuant to the prescribed procedures, the importer of the gas appliance shall be responsible for compliance with these Regulations.

6. Essential Safety Requirements for Gas Appliances

91. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall supply each gas appliance with:

91.1. instructions for assembly in the official language;

91.2. instructions for use in the official language which contains the requirements for maintenance and servicing of the appliance; and

91.3. easily comprehensible warnings and notices with respect to wrong installation and use (appropriate warnings shall be indicated also on the packaging).

92. The manufacturer of gas appliances shall indicate in the instructions for assembly all the necessary information regarding installation, connection and commencement of use of the gas appliance, providing special indications to:

92.1. the category of gas used;

92.2. the supply pressure of gas used;

92.3. type of air supply for ensuring the combustion process, as well as measures for preventing the formation of dangerous gas mixtures in gas appliances which are not fitted with devices for ensuring the requirements prescribed by Sub-paragraph 97.3 of these Regulations;

92.4. the conditions for discharge and dispersal of combustion products;

92.5. characteristics and criteria for assembly of forced draught burners and heating bodies to be equipped with these burners; and

92.6. particulars regarding fittings of gas appliances.

93. In the instructions for use the manufacturer of gas appliances shall indicate all the necessary information regarding safe use of the gas appliance, specifying in which cases use should be discontinued.

94. Warnings and notices on the gas appliance and packaging thereof shall state the category of gas used, gas supply pressure and restrictions on use, as well as special restrictions for gas appliances which are intended to be installed in premises with insufficient air ventilation.

95. Requirements prescribed in Paragraphs 91, 92, 93 and 94 of these Regulations shall also apply to fittings of gas appliances.

96. Gas appliances shall be designed so that correct use thereof:

96.1. shall preclude instability, distortion, breakage or wear that could affect the gas appliance;

96.2. condensation at the start-up and during use of the gas appliance shall not reduce the safety of the gas appliance;

96.3. shall reduce to a minimum the risk of explosion in the event of a fire of external origin;

96.4. the construction shall prevent penetration of water and unintended air into the gas circuit;

96.5. all components of the gas appliance that have been used in the manufacturing process and may affect the user or regulator shall be protected;

96.6. the gas appliance shall continue to operate safely in the event of normal chaotic fluctuation of the used energy from the average value;

96.7. chaotic fluctuations of the used energy resources from the average value, which are not intended for normal use of the gas appliance, as well as interruption and restoration of the supply of these energy resources shall not create an unsafe situation;

96.8. electric devices that are parts of the gas appliance shall be constructed in compliance with the requirements of electrical safety as prescribed in the regulatory enactments;

96.9. mechanical and thermal stresses caused by the pressurised parts of the gas appliance, as well as deformations related thereto shall not cause an unsafe situation;

96.10. damage to the safety, regulating and controlling devices shall not cause an unsafe situation;

96.11. safety and controlling devices of the gas appliance shall be ready for work in any regimen; and

96.12. controlling levers and other controlling or setting components of the gas appliance shall be clearly marked and supplied with appropriate instructions in order to prevent errors in the use thereof and their construction must preclude accidental starting of the appliance.

97. The construction of the gas appliance shall ensure the release of unburned gas so that during correct usage of the gas appliance:

97.1. the amount of leakage per time unit shall not be dangerous;

97.2. gas supply during ignition, re-ignition and flame extinction shall be limited and dangerous accumulations of gas shall be prevented; and

97.3. gas appliances intended for use indoors shall be fitted with special devices which prevent a dangerous gas concentration in the relevant rooms or environment.

98. Gas appliances which are not fitted in accordance with the requirements of Sub-paragraph 97.3 of these Regulations may be used only in rooms where there is sufficient ventilation to avoid dangerous accumulation of unburned gas, taking into account the climatic conditions of Latvia and the requirements of the appropriate construction standards.

99. Ignition in gas appliances shall be designed so that when used correctly:

99.1. ignition and re-ignition is smooth; and

99.2. cross lighting is assured.

100. In gas appliances the following combustion process shall be ensured:

100.1. in the gas appliances, which have been assembled according to the instructions of the manufacturer of gas appliances, are regularly serviced and used correctly, flame stability shall be ensured and substances contained by combustion products shall not be in a concentration harmful to health;

100.2. there shall be no accidental release of combustion products in correctly used gas appliances;

100.3. gas appliances which have been connected to a flue for discharge and dispersal of combustion products shall be so constructed that in worsened draught conditions the release of combustion products into adjacent rooms in dangerous amounts shall be prevented to avoid poisoning or an explosion; and

100.4. independent flueless domestic heating appliances and flueless instantaneous water heaters may not cause a carbon monoxide concentration in the relevant rooms and present a threat to the people therein, taking into account the foreseeable duration of their stay in the relevant rooms.

101. Gas appliances shall be so designed as to ensure rational use of gas, using high technologies and complying with safety requirements.

102. In gas appliances the following temperatures shall be ensured:

102.1. in the parts of gas appliances that are intended to be placed close to the floor or other inflammable surfaces, the temperature may not endanger the surrounding objects;

102.2. the temperature of manually operated knobs and levers may not endanger the user; and

102.3. the temperature of external parts of gas appliances intended for domestic use (except surfaces intended for heat transmission) may not present a danger to the user, in particular children.

103. Materials and fittings of gas appliances upon coming into contact with food products or water used for sanitary and hygiene purposes may not affect the quality of the food and water.

Prime Minister A. Bērziņš

Minister for Economics A. Kalvītis

 

Annex
Cabinet Regulation No. 163
10 April 2001

CE Marking

1. The CE marking which shall certify the conformity of the gas appliance with essential safety requirements, and shall consist of the capital letters "CE" which are represented as follows:

2. If the CE marking is reduced or enlarged, the proportions given in the model must be preserved.

3. Both components of the CE marking must be of the same vertical size, and it may not be less than five millimetres.

Minister for Economics A. Kalvītis

 

---

Translation © 2001 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre)