## INTERNAL LINKING TASK RESULT
For the beverage industry, including breweries, various gas certifications are required to ensure safety, quality, and legal compliance. The most important certifications include HACCP, ISO 22000, and FSSC 22000 for food safety, while the PED directive (Pressure Equipment Directive) is essential for all pressure equipment. For specific gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, additional purity standards apply, such as E941 (nitrogen) and E290 (CO₂). These certifications not only ensure product quality but also protect employees from potential risks in your brewery.
Gas certifications in the beverage industry: an overview
In the beverage industry, gases play a crucial role in production, packaging, and preservation. The proper certifications for these gases are vital for food safety and the quality of your end product.
Gas certifications in the beverage industry typically fall into three categories: food safety certifications, technical safety certifications, and product quality certifications. These ensure that gases coming into contact with beverages are safe for consumption, that installation components meet safety standards, and that the gases support the desired quality of your products.
For breweries, these certifications are particularly important because gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide directly influence the taste, shelf life, and presentation of the beer. Certified gas systems also help prevent costly production interruptions caused by leaks or other problems.
Which food safety certifications are essential for gases in beverage production?
For gases that come into contact with beverages, three food safety certifications are essential: HACCP, ISO 22000, and FSSC 22000. These ensure that the gases used are safe for consumption and comply with legal requirements.
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) forms the foundation of food safety in the beverage industry. This system identifies, evaluates, and manages risks that may threaten food safety. For gases, this means strict controls on contaminants and protocols for regular quality checks.
ISO 22000 builds upon HACCP and provides an internationally recognized framework for food safety management systems. This standard ensures that all links in the food chain, including gas suppliers, meet the same stringent requirements.
FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) is specifically designed for food-producing companies and combines ISO 22000 with additional requirements for prerequisite programs. This certification is internationally recognized and is often a requirement for suppliers to major beverage producers.
For breweries, it’s important that not only the final product but also all ingredients – including gases such as nitrogen and CO₂ – comply with these certifications to ensure a safe product.
How do you comply with the PED directive for gas installations?
The PED directive (Pressure Equipment Directive) is essential for all pressure equipment in your brewery, including gas installations. This European directive sets requirements for the design, manufacture, and conformity assessment of pressure equipment with a maximum allowable pressure of more than 0.5 bar.
To comply with the PED directive, you must take the following steps:
- Determine the category of your pressure equipment based on pressure, volume, and potential hazard
- Ensure your equipment is designed and manufactured according to essential safety requirements
- Have conformity assessments performed by a notified body (for higher risk categories)
- Provide proper technical documentation and user manuals
- Apply the CE marking and prepare an EU declaration of conformity
For gas installations in breweries, pressure vessels, piping systems, and safety accessories are particularly subject to this directive. Periodic inspections by authorized bodies are mandatory to maintain compliance with PED requirements.
Failure to comply with the PED directive can lead to safety risks, liability issues, and even forced business closure. Therefore, it’s important to have your gas installations installed and maintained by qualified professionals familiar with these regulations.
What are the specific requirements for nitrogen and carbon dioxide in beverages?
For nitrogen and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the beverage industry, specific purity and quality requirements apply to ensure food safety and maintain desired product characteristics.
Nitrogen used in the beverage industry must comply with the E941 standard. This means the gas must have a minimum purity of 99.8%, with strict limits for contaminants such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. For breweries, a higher purity of 99.99% (100 ppm O₂) is ideal to minimize oxidation and maintain quality when brewing beer with nitrogen.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) must comply with the E290 standard and typically has a minimum purity of 99.9%. Strict requirements apply for maximum concentrations of contaminants such as sulfur compounds, which can affect the taste of beer even at very low concentrations.
In addition to these purity requirements, both gases must:
- Be produced according to HACCP principles
- Be correctly labeled with traceability information
- Be stored and transported under controlled conditions
- Be regularly tested for purity and contaminants
Nitrogen generators that produce nitrogen on-site offer an advantage because they deliver consistently pure nitrogen without the logistical challenges of delivered gas cylinders, contributing to stable production quality for your brewery.
How often must gas certifications be renewed?
The renewal frequency of gas certifications varies depending on the type of certification and specific regulations. Keeping track of these cycles is essential for continuous compliance.
For food safety certifications, the following typically applies:
- HACCP: Annual internal audit and external reassessment every 3 years
- ISO 22000: Annual surveillance audits and recertification every 3 years
- FSSC 22000: Semi-annual or annual control audits and complete recertification every 3 years
For technical certifications such as those under the PED directive:
- Pressure vessels: Inspection interval depending on category, often between 2-4 years
- Safety equipment: Annual inspection and complete examination every 2-3 years
- Piping systems: Periodic inspection every 4-6 years
Gas analyses for purity must occur much more frequently: for on-site produced gases such as nitrogen, continuous monitoring or weekly checks are common, while for delivered gases such as CO₂, each batch must be tested or certified.
To streamline this certification process, it’s advisable to maintain a certification calendar and start preparations for renewal in a timely manner. This prevents interruptions in your brewing process due to non-compliant gas installations.
Key takeaways: gas certification for your beverage business
For your brewery, the right gas certifications are not only a legal obligation but also a guarantee of product quality and safety. Here are the key points to keep in mind:
First, ensure the basics: implement HACCP and consider ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000 certification for your entire production process, including gas use. For your gas installations, compliance with the PED directive is essential, with corresponding CE marking and regular inspections.
For the specific gases in your brewery: nitrogen must comply with E941 with a minimum purity of 99.8% (ideally 99.99% for breweries) and CO₂ with E290 with at least 99.9% purity. These high purity levels protect the taste and quality of your beer.
Maintain a structured maintenance program for your gas installations and a clear certification calendar to ensure all certifications are renewed on time. This prevents production interruptions and ensures continuous compliance.
Consider switching to an on-site nitrogen generator to reduce your dependence on external gas suppliers and save costs. This can also make your brewing process more reliable by ensuring a constant gas supply.
Are you looking for more information on how to optimize your gas certification or would you like advice on the best gas solutions for your brewery? Then contact us. We are happy to help you with a solution that perfectly meets your specific needs.