AC 056
1462Certification of personnel for permanent joints in hard brazing is essential for the safety and quality of connections in industrial applications — especially pressure equipment and assemblies. COCH Kraków provides both legally required PED approval and voluntary competence certification under PN-EN ISO 13585:2025-01.
The COCH Personnel Certification Body performs independent assessment of knowledge and skills and issues accredited certificates for braziers and brazing operators. We operate under Polish Centre for Accreditation certificate AC 056 in accordance with PN-EN ISO/IEC 17024, and as European Notified Body No. 1462 for permanent joining personnel approval under PED 2014/68/EU.
Examinations follow the current edition PN-EN ISO 13585:2025-01 (EN ISO 13585:2024), which replaced PN-EN ISO 13585:2012. Assessment combines a written theoretical exam, practical joint execution and laboratory testing of samples (visual, NDT, DT). After a positive decision a certificate is issued for 5 years, with surveillance during validity.
Standard update: PN-EN ISO 13585:2012 has been withdrawn. New certificates are issued under the 2025 edition only. Among changes: validity extended to 5 years and broader qualification ranges from a single examination.
PED pathway certificates for permanent joining personnel should reference Notified Body status and the directive; voluntary ISO 13585 certificates alone do not constitute PED approval. Procedure approval (BPS) may also be required for manufacturers — see related services.
PED vs voluntary pathways, candidate prerequisites, application annexes and hard brazing processes covered by PN-EN ISO 13585 (ISO 4063).
Mandatory approval of braziers and brazing operators for permanent joints on category II, III and IV pressure equipment (refrigeration, AC, heat pumps) under PED 2014/68/EU Annex I point 3.1.2 — issued by Notified Body No. 1462.
Independent third-party confirmation of brazier / operator skills under PN-EN ISO 13585 for employers and individuals where PED permanent-joining approval is not required.
In addition to personnel certification, manufacturers may need approval of permanent joining operating procedures (BPS).
The candidate must be at least 18 years of age.
Certificate of completion of appropriate theoretical and practical training in permanent joint execution for the requested scope (exception: re-certification).
Valid medical certificate confirming no contraindications for brazing / welding works in the requested scope.
Confirmation of theoretical and practical training in making permanent joints, appropriate for the requested certification.
Valid medical certificate confirming no contraindications to perform brazing works. Include information on any need to adapt the process to special needs.
Approved brazing procedure specification prepared by the Manufacturer (PED) or the Employer (voluntary), including the maximum time for joint execution.
PN-EN ISO 13585 covers the following hard brazing processes and reference numbers:
From application and exams through laboratory testing, certification decision, surveillance and re-certification.
Overview of the main stages — details of each step are listed below.
1Application with annexes
The candidate submits the qualification application together with training documents, medical certificate and approved pBPS / BPS.
The essential variables recorded during the examination under PN-EN ISO 13585, clause 5.
A brazing certificate never covers simply „brazing”. It covers the conditions in which the test joint was made, and the qualification ranges assigned to those conditions. The variables below are the ones declared in the PJCW-06 application and confirmed during the examination.
The process used in the examination, coded to ISO 4063 — for example 912, flame brazing. The examination qualifies within the process that was passed.
Sheet (P) or tube (T) — declared in the application and reflected in the test joint.
Butt joint (B) or lap joint (O).
Parent materials are grouped A to F using the grouping system of ISO/TR 15608. The group used in the examination qualifies materials within the same group and within the further groups indicated for it.
Filler metals follow PN-EN ISO 17672; the classification criterion is the filler base (classes Al, Ag, CuP, Cu, Ni, Pd, Au). Within the same class other filler metals may be used without a new examination.
By feeding onto the faying surfaces (FF) or by pre-placing before brazing (PP).
Material thickness, tube diameter and overlap (coverage) length of the test joint — they determine the dimensional qualification range.
Vertical downwards (VD) or vertical upwards (VU) — each direction carries its own qualification range.
Manual or mechanised brazing — the certificate refers to a brazier or to a brazing operator accordingly.
The type of equipment used, e.g. a propane-butane gas torch.
Download the application, certification programme and related declarations, or submit the application online. Completed documents should be sent to certyfikacja@coch.pl.
Send completed documents to certyfikacja@coch.pl
Information on brazing personnel certification fees can be obtained individually. Please send your inquiry to: certyfikacja@coch.pl
Information on the complaints and appeals procedure is available here: Complaints and appeals
Not sure whether you need the PED or voluntary pathway, or how to prepare BPS? Call or email the certification office.
PED vs voluntary, documents, validity, processes, fees, the obligations of certificate holders and how this differs from ISO 22712 personnel certification.
The Personnel Certification Body holds PCA accreditation AC 056 for joining / brazing personnel and acts as European Notified Body No. 1462 under the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED).
1462PCA · Accredited body AC 056 · Notified Body 1462
Our specialists support candidates through preparation, examination, laboratory assessment, certification and surveillance. PCA AC 056 and notification 1462 underpin the reliability of issued brazing personnel credentials.
Questions about PED vs voluntary pathway, documents, exam sessions or next steps.
mgr Miłosz Gratkowski
Head of Certification Body
How to find us
Centralny Ośrodek Chłodnictwa „COCH”
ul. Juliusza Lea 116, 30-133 Kraków
Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 18:00
Entrance from Juliusza Lea Street. Parking available on site for clients.
Send an application or call the certification office. We will advise on PED vs voluntary pathway, documents and exam sessions.
