The Italian experience in dealing with the issue of ageing management in the process industry

The paper discusses a method developed to assess the adequateness of equipment safe ageing management in the process industries. Basically it is an index method, which evaluate the factors that accelerate or slow down the equipment deterioration. Both physical and intangible factors, including management systems, have been considered. The method has been adopted by the Italian Competent Authority for the prevention of Major Accident. It will be used during the mandatory audit of industrial establishments, in the framework of Seveso III Directive for the control of Major Accident Hazard.