The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has officially amended the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016. These new rules, known as the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) (Amendment) Rules, 2025, introduce crucial and more stringent standards, particularly for pressure vessels used in the storage and transport of hydrogen. These new rules were issued on June 25, 2025 and published on June 27, 2025.
The draft amendments were initially published on April 15, 2025, inviting public comments. Having received no objections or suggestions within the stipulated period, the Central Government has finalized these rules, which will come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
The amendments primarily focus on enhancing the safety and reliability of hydrogen infrastructure by incorporating internationally recognized standards.
Key Amendments for Hydrogen Pressure Vessels
Manufacturing Standards (Rule 13)
The accepted manufacturing standards now include “ASME BPV Section VIII Division 3.” More significantly, for pressure vessels designed for hydrogen storage and transport, specific ISO standards are now mandated to address critical issues like hydrogen embrittlement and permeation. These include:
- ISO 17081: For measuring hydrogen permeation and uptake in metals.
- ISO 10587: For testing residual embrittlement in metallic-coated and uncoated threaded articles.
- ISO 16573 Part 1: For evaluating hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-strength steels.
- ISO 15330: For preloading tests to detect hydrogen embrittlement in fasteners. These standards are to be accepted by the Chief Controller.
Valves for Cryogenic Hydrogen (Rule 18)
A new sub-rule (6) stipulates that valves used for cryogenic hydrogen pressure vessels must conform to ISO 21011 or any other code accepted by the Chief Controller.
Fitness for Service (Rule 19)
For pressure vessels in hydrogen service, the fitness for service assessment must now be carried out as per API 579 Assessment Standards, in addition to the relevant provisions of Rule 13 standards or other Chief Controller accepted standards.
Transport of Cryogenic Hydrogen (Rule 38)
A new sub-rule (4) mandates that pressure vessels used for the transport of cryogenic hydrogen must also conform to ISO 228-1 or ISO 7-1, or any other code accepted by the Chief Controller.
