TÜV Rheinland has launched an innovative certification program that qualifies materials for the emerging H₂ economy. The "H2-Ready" certification confirms that materials used in critical applications such as piping and pressure vessels in large industrial plants are suitable for use with pressurized H₂.

Gunther Sproesser, materials expert at TÜV Rheinland, said, "Our new 'H2.23' standard combines the latest technology with global expertise to test materials for H₂ compatibility." The challenge: H₂ can penetrate materials, making them brittle and damaging them to the point of component failure. Upon successful certification, manufacturers can receive the "H2-Ready" test mark to demonstrate to customers that their materials can safely handle compressed H₂. The H2-Ready test mark is only awarded to materials that meet strict criteria. The mark also requires regular monitoring of production.

"In Germany, there is a lack of recognized regulations for the long-term and safe use of components with pressurized H₂. We are filling this gap with the 'H2-Ready' certification. In doing so, we are ensuring greater safety and confidence in the rapidly growing H₂ industry," said Sproesser. TÜV Rheinland has already certified several materials from "Busch + Kunz", the leading European manufacturer of weld fittings, in accordance with the "H2-Ready" standard.