Appendix 47

Supporting ASME Section VIII, Division 1 Certificate Holders

Appendix 47 Design Qualification Compliance

The 2025 Edition of ASME Section VIII, Division 1 revised Mandatory Appendix 47 and changed how the qualifications of pressure-vessel design personnel are established and documented. Under the revised requirements, the Certificate Holder is responsible for defining the minimum qualifications appropriate for its products, documenting how those qualifications are satisfied, and maintaining controls for design activities performed by employees or outside design firms.

Does My Shop Need Appendix 47 Documentation?

If your company manufactures or assembles pressure vessels under ASME Section VIII, Division 1 and engages personnel to perform design work—whether by direct employment, contract, or other agreement—your Quality Control System must address the qualification and control of those designers.

The required controls include:

  • A controlled document defining the minimum qualifications required for personnel performing design work
  • Evidence demonstrating that each designer meets the established qualifications
  • Additional controls for design work performed by outside individuals or organizations
  • Identification of the person or persons within the Manufacturer’s organization who control externally performed design work
  • A documented process for reviewing and accepting design activities performed by others
  • Additional controls for design work performed by outside individuals or organizations
  • A current list of qualified designers
  • Additional controls for design work performed by outside individuals or organizations

These requirements apply according to the Manufacturer’s products, design activities, Certification Mark designator, and Quality Control System.

What Changed in the 2025 Edition?

Earlier editions of Mandatory Appendix 47 used the term “Person in Responsible Charge” and prescribed specific qualification categories for Certifying Engineers, Engineers, and Designers.

The 2025 Edition reorganized Appendix 47 and removed those prescribed categories and the former PIRC framework. The revised Appendix places responsibility on the Certificate Holder to establish and document appropriate qualifications for the personnel performing design work for its products.

The change provides manufacturers with greater flexibility, but it also requires each Certificate Holder to clearly define, document, and maintain its own qualification and design-control process.

Documents created for earlier Code editions may need to be reviewed and updated if they still rely on:

For work governed by the 2025 Edition, those references should be evaluated against the current Appendix 47 requirements and the Manufacturer’s Quality Control System.

Current Appendix 47 Documentation Requirements

Designer Qualification Criteria

The Manufacturer must establish minimum qualifications appropriate for the design of its products. These criteria may consider education, training, pressure-vessel design experience, Code knowledge, product complexity, and the specific design activities being performed.

Evidence of Qualification

The Manufacturer must maintain evidence demonstrating that its designers meet the established criteria. Supporting documentation may include experience records, résumés, professional registrations, education records, training records, and representative design experience.

Contracted Design Services

When design work is performed by an outside individual or organization, the Manufacturer must document:

  • How the outside designer works in accordance with the Manufacturer’s Quality Control System
  • Who within the Manufacturer’s organization exercises control over the outsourced design work
  • How completed design activities are reviewed and accepted by the Manufacturer

Outsourcing design work does not transfer the Certificate Holder’s responsibility for controlling and accepting that work

Qualified Designer List

The Manufacturer must maintain a documented list of designers who have been evaluated and accepted as qualified to perform design work for its products.

Periodic Review

The Manufacturer must review and document its minimum designer qualifications at least every three years and whenever the design qualifications required for its products are modified.

Designer Responsibilities

Personnel performing design work must:

  • Understand and follow the Manufacturer’s applicable Quality Control program
  • Understand the Section VIII, Division 1 design requirements associated with the Manufacturer’s Certification Mark and designator
  • Satisfy and demonstrate the minimum qualifications established for the Manufacturer’s products and assigned design activities

These responsibilities apply to designers engaged through direct employment, contract, or agreement.

From Our Sponsor

How J Lowry, LLC Can Help

J Lowry, LLC provides design and documentation support tailored to the Manufacturer’s products, Code activities, and Quality Control System.

Our Appendix 47 support may include:

  • Review of the Manufacturer’s product and design scope
  • Development of controlled designer-qualification documents
  • Recommended minimum qualification criteria
  • Documentation of personnel experience and qualifications
  • Appointment and Designation Letters for contracted design arrangements
  • Qualified Designer Lists
  • Procedures for controlling and accepting outsourced design work
  • Recommended Quality Control Manual language and exhibits
  • Periodic qualification reviews and updated personnel records
  • Preparation for Authorized Inspector and Joint Review evaluation
  • ASME Section VIII, Division 1 design calculations and fabrication drawings

Our experienced design personnel support Certificate Holders throughout the design process while working within the controls established by the Manufacturer’s Quality Control System.

Update Your Appendix 47 Program

If your current Quality Control Manual, organization chart, appointment letters, or qualification records still rely on the former PIRC requirements, J Lowry, LLC can help evaluate and update your documentation for the 2025 Edition of ASME Section VIII, Division 1.

The exact documentation required will depend on your products, scope of design activities, Quality Control System, and arrangements for internally or externally performed design work.

Contact us to discuss your Appendix 47 design qualification and documentation needs.

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