Invensys Flow Control UK has become the first British valve manufacturer to receive Quality Assurance Module H approval from the British Standards Institute for the design and manufacture of ball valves in accordance with the EC Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC. The Directive covers equipment operating at greater than 0.5 bar, and plant manufactured or marketed within the EC must comply from 28 May 2002. IFC’s approval covers all valves of greater than 1 inch in size within the Worcester Controls product range.Comments project leader Alan Watson: “The Directive has stringent marking and product information requirements and will ensure a level playing field for valve suppliers throughout Europe. It will undoubtedly threaten the position of cheap, imported products.”