Compliance obligation
Typically legally required for a dental practice — typically renewing every year.
Status
Typically legally required
How often
Annual
Under
HTM 01-05 (Ch.12, para 12.2
Sterilizer Validation & Pressure Vessel Examination is one of the obligations that typically applies to a dental practice in the UK, under HTM 01-05 (Ch.12, para 12.2. It needs renewing every year, and enforcement can follow if it lapses.
The full legislation: HTM 01-05 (Ch.12, para 12.2; EN 13060); Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PM73).
Annual. Two duties on every benchtop sterilizer: (1) HTM 01-05 REVALIDATION annually (12 months shown) by a Competent Person (Decontamination)/service engineer, on top of daily/weekly user tests (steam-penetration, automatic control; logbook signed) and quarterly thermometric tests (or per manufacturer); (2) a dental autoclave is a PRESSURE VESSEL under PSSR 2000 — a Written Scheme of Examination is a statutory precondition of use, with thorough examination at the interval the WSE sets (competent-person-determined, commonly aligned with the annual service and arranged via engineering insurance). Note: HTM 01-05 is the correct dental reference (HTM 01-06 covers flexible endoscopes).
An autoclave without a valid Written Scheme of Examination/examination is an offence (PSSR 2000, HSE-enforced: notices and unlimited fines); failed decontamination validation breaches the CQC fundamental standards and the equipment must be withdrawn from use.
Is sterilizer validation & pressure vessel examination a legal requirement for a dental practice?
Sterilizer Validation & Pressure Vessel Examination typically applies to a dental practice under UK law, under HTM 01-05 (Ch.12, para 12.2.
How often does a dental practice need sterilizer validation & pressure vessel examination?
Annual. Two duties on every benchtop sterilizer: (1) HTM 01-05 REVALIDATION annually (12 months shown) by a Competent Person (Decontamination)/service engineer, on top of daily/weekly user tests (steam-penetration, automatic control; logbook signed) and quarterly thermometric tests (or per manufacturer); (2) a dental autoclave is a PRESSURE VESSEL under PSSR 2000 — a Written Scheme of Examination is a statutory precondition of use, with thorough examination at the interval the WSE sets (competent-person-determined, commonly aligned with the annual service and arranged via engineering insurance).
What's the penalty for not having sterilizer validation & pressure vessel examination?
An autoclave without a valid Written Scheme of Examination/examination is an offence (PSSR 2000, HSE-enforced: notices and unlimited fines); failed decontamination validation breaches the CQC fundamental standards and the equipment must be withdrawn from use.
Keeval tracks sterilizer validation & pressure vessel examination against your actual premises, watches the renewal date, and keeps the certificate inspection-ready — free, for all your sites, no card.
Track it freeOther dental & medical obligations
See the full guide →This page highlights the obligation, frequency and penalties that typically apply to premises like yours in England & Wales — general information to help you act on your duties, not legal advice and not a definitive statement of your position. You remain the duty-holder; take your own professional advice where you need certainty. Keeval is a trading name of Brenkon Holdings Limited (no. 16987530).