Assessment of requirements on safety management systems in EU regulations for the control of major hazard pipelines

The European Commission has carried out a thorough review and assessment on whether pipelines conveying dangerous substances need a level of control similar to chemical installations, based on consideration of the hazards and risks and on accidents world-wide. The study examines whether sufficient controls already exist within the European Union (EU) Member States, considering the control philosophy of the 'Seveso II' Directive and the need to support development of pipeline networks across the EU taking into account the principles of sustainability. Community legislation would be supported by a set of criteria for the classification of Major-Accident Hazard Pipelines. Such criteria are examined for the onshore transmission pipelines in the EU. The Commission study has shown that there is a large variation in the degree to which Member States have comprehensive 'major-accident hazard' legislation on pipelines, and that existing legislation rarely addresses elements of the Safety Management System. The assessment, based on a proposed Pipeline Safety Instrument, indicates that there will be added value in a European Instrument drawing on the principles of Seveso II Directive concerning Safety Management System requirements.