EN 13081:2008+A1:2012

• Abstract:

  This European Standard covers the vapour collection adaptor and coupler used to achieve a vapour tight path between the transport tank and the stationary loading and unloading facilities.; This European Standard specifies the performance requirements and the critical dimensions of the vapour recovery adaptor fitted to the tank and the mating coupler fitted to a hose or to pipework connected to the stationary loading and unloading facilities. It also specifies the tests necessary to verify the compliance of the equipment with this standard. The equipment specified by this European Standard is suitable for use with liquid petroleum products and other dangerous substances of Class 3 of ADR [2] which have a vapour pressure not exceeding 110 kPa, at 50 °C and petrol, and which have no sub-classification as toxic or corrosive.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Feb-2012
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Aug-2012
• ICS: 13.300 - Protection against dangerous goods
• ICS: 23.020.20 - Vessels and containers mounted on vehicles
• ICS: 23.040.60 - Flanges, couplings and joints
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 296 - Tanks for transport of dangerous goods
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 296/WG 7 - Service equipment (including equipment for vapour recovery, bottom loading, the confinement and handling of petroleum products)
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 03-Dec-2024
• Completion Date: 23-Sep-2026
• Directive: Not Harmonized2008/68/EC - Directive 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the council of 24 September 2008 on the inland transport of the dangerous goods
• Mandate: M/086 - Mandate to CEN for standardization in the field of transport of dangerous goods
• Ref Project: SIST EN 13081:2009+A1:2012 - Tanks for transport of dangerous goods - Service equipment for tanks - Vapour collection adaptor and coupler

• Merged From: EN 13081:2008 - Tanks for transport of dangerous goods - Service equipment for tanks - Vapour collection adaptor and coupler
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023
• Merged From: EN 13081:2008/FprA1 - Tanks for transport of dangerous goods - Service equipment for tanks - Vapour collection adaptor and coupler
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023
• Refers: ISO 2859-1:1999 - Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes — Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: EN 15208:2007 - Tanks for transport of dangerous goods - Sealed parcel delivery systems - Working principles and interface specifications
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 21920-2:2022 - Geometrical product specifications (GPS) - Surface texture: Profile - Part 2: Terms, definitions and surface texture parameters (ISO 21920-2:2021, Corrected version 2022-06)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 12266-1:2003 - Industrial valves - Testing of valves - Part 1: Pressure tests, test procedures and acceptance criteria - Mandatory requirements
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 12266-2:2002 - Industrial valves - Testing of valves - Part 2: Tests, test procedures and acceptance criteria - Supplementary requirements
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 196-1:1994 - Methods of testing cement - Part 1: Determination of strength
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 21920-1:2022 - Geometrical product specifications (GPS) - Surface texture: Profile - Part 1: Indication of surface texture (ISO 21920-1:2021)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN 13081:2008+A1:2012 is a European Standard developed by CEN that specifies requirements for vapour collection adaptors and couplers on tanks used for the transport of dangerous goods. Its main focus is enabling a secure, vapour-tight connection between a transport tank-such as those used for petroleum products or other Class 3 dangerous substances-and stationary loading and unloading facilities. This standard is an essential part of ensuring environmental protection and safety during the transfer of volatile substances, supporting compliance with regulatory frameworks such as the European Directive 94/63/EC on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).

Key Topics

• Scope and Context

  • Applies to vapour collection adaptors fitted on tanks and mating couplers attached to loading/unloading facility hose or pipework
  • Designed for dangerous goods of Class 3 (flammable liquids) that are not classified as toxic or corrosive and have vapour pressures not exceeding 110 kPa at 50°C

• Performance and Design Requirements

  • Specifies pressure and temperature operating ranges
  • Critical dimensions, tolerances, and materials of construction are defined to ensure compatibility and functional interchange
  • Requirements for vapour tightness, both when connected and disconnected

• Testing and Compliance

  • Outlines production and type tests such as shell strength, operability, tightness, mechanical endurance, and marking
  • Specifies test procedures in alignment with relevant standards (e.g., EN 12266-1, EN 12266-2)

• Safety and Identification

  • Identification and marking requirements for traceability and compliance
  • Provisions for interlocking and DTQM (Digital Tank Quantity Meter) identifiers to prevent incorrect coupling and ensure proper operation

Applications

EN 13081 is widely applicable across industries involved in the transportation and transfer of liquid dangerous goods. Its practical value includes:

• Fuel and Petroleum Handling

  • Standardized vapour collection interfaces reduce emissions during bulk fuel loading and discharge at refineries, storage depots, and service stations

• Chemical Logistics

  • Supports the safe and environmentally responsible transfer of Class 3 dangerous substances, protecting personnel and the environment from hazardous vapours

• Tank Manufacturing and Maintenance

  • Provides tank and component manufacturers with detailed dimensional and performance benchmarks, ensuring cross-vendor compatibility and safety
  • Supports fleet operators with clear criteria for inspection, maintenance, and replacement of service equipment

• Regulatory Compliance

  • Facilitates adherence to ADR transport regulations and VOC emission directives throughout Europe
  • Helps organizations meet safety, environmental, and operational mandates

Related Standards

Several other standards complement EN 13081:2008+A1:2012 within the field of tanks for the transport of dangerous goods and their service equipment, including:

• EN 13082 - Vapour transfer valve requirements
• EN 13083 - Adaptor for bottom loading and unloading
• EN 13308, EN 13314, EN 13315, EN 13316, EN 13317 - Various fittings and valves for tanks
• EN 13922 - Overfill prevention systems for liquid fuels
• EN 14595, EN 14596 - Pressure, vacuum, and emergency relief vents
• EN 15208 - Sealed parcel delivery system principles and interface specifications
• CEN/TR 15120 - Guidance for loading, transport, and unloading of dangerous goods tanks

Adopting EN 13081 ensures compatibility and safety in multiparty supply chains, streamlines regulatory compliance, and supports best practices in dangerous goods transport operations.

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Tanks für die Beförderung gefährlicher Güter - Bedienungsausrüstung von Tanks - VKG- und MKG-Kupplungen für die GassammelleitungCiternes de transport de matières dangereuses - Equipement de service pour citernes - Adaptateur et coupleur pour la récupération des vapeursTanks for transport of dangerous goods - Service equipment for tanks - Vapour collection adaptor and coupler23.040.60Prirobnice, oglavki in spojni elementiFlanges, couplings and joints23.020.20Posode in vsebniki, montirani na vozilaVessels and containers mounted on vehicles13.300Varstvo pred nevarnimi izdelkiProtection against dangerous goodsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13081:2008+A1:2012SIST EN 13081:2009+A1:2012en,fr,de01-junij-2012SIST EN 13081:2009+A1:2012SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 13081:20091DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 13081:2008+A1
February 2012 ICS 23.040.60; 13.300; 23.020.20 Supersedes EN 13081:2008English Version
Tanks for transport of dangerous goods - Service equipment for tanks - Vapour collection adaptor and coupler
Citernes de transport de matières dangereuses - Equipement de service pour citernes - Adaptateur et coupleur pour la récupération des vapeurs
Tanks für die Beförderung gefährlicher Güter - Bedienungsausrüstung von Tanks - VKG- und MKG-Kupplungen für die Gassammelleitung This European Standard was approved by CEN on 13 September 2008 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 24 December 2011.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 13081:2008+A1:2012: ESIST EN 13081:2009+A1:2012

Vapour collection adaptor to be fitted on the transport tank . 12Annex B (normative)
Vapour collection coupler to be fitted to the stationary loading and unloading facility . 14Annex C (normative)
Interlock and other devices . 15C.1Interlock . 15C.2DTQM tank identifier . 16Annex D (informative)
4 hole fixing . 17Bibliography . 18 SIST EN 13081:2009+A1:2012
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