Cost of Brewery Equipment
across the UK

# Brewery Equipment Trade Body Accreditation

In the UK, brewery equipment providers may hold accreditation from several relevant bodies depending on their scope of work. The Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) is the primary professional body for brewing professionals, though accreditation is typically individual rather than company-wide. For equipment safety and compliance, providers should meet standards set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and adhere to the Pressure Equipment Regulations 2016 and related machinery directives. The British Standards Institution (BSI) certification, particularly BS EN standards relevant to brewing vessels and processing equipment, is another mark of quality assurance. Some specialist breweries equipment suppliers may hold Cask Marque or similar trade certification relating to specific product categories. Understanding what each accreditation covers is important—some relate to safety compliance (mandatory), whilst others reflect voluntary quality assurance (beneficial but not legally required).

To verify a provider's credentials, you should ask for their certification documentation and check it directly with the issuing body's register. The BSI maintains a public database of certified organisations, and the HSE can confirm whether a company meets relevant safety standards. You can contact the IBD to verify individual membership of key staff, which often indicates brewing knowledge and commitment to professional standards. Ask specifically what accreditations apply to the equipment you need—for example, a pressure vessel supplier should be able to provide documentation of compliance with the Pressure Equipment Regulations, whilst a general equipment provider might hold ISO 9001 quality management certification. This verification matters because accredited providers have undergone independent assessment, are subject to ongoing monitoring, carry appropriate insurance, and are bound by professional codes of conduct. It also provides you with a formal complaint route if issues arise.

Accredited brewery equipment providers typically charge 5–15% more than non-accredited competitors, reflecting the costs of initial certification, ongoing