If you’re involved in designing or manufacturing pressure equipment in Canada, obtaining a Canadian Registration Number (CRN) is a legal requirement under the provincial safety authorities. However, many applications face delays or rejections due to issues that are completely avoidable.
At MECS Engineering, our team of Professional Engineers has helped clients successfully navigate the CRN approval process across multiple provinces.
In this article, we outline the seven most common reasons CRN applications get rejected or delayed — and how to avoid them.
1. Incomplete or Inaccurate Documentation
One of the most frequent reasons for rejection is missing or incorrect documentation — such as incomplete forms, missing specifications, or inconsistent calculations.
💡 Tip: Always double-check your submission. Use a checklist to ensure that all documents, calculations, and forms are complete and accurate. MECS Engineering’s team can help review your package to ensure it meets provincial requirements.
2. Non-Compliance with ASME or CSA Standards
CRN reviewers immediately reject designs that don’t comply with recognized standards such as ASME Section VIII, ASME B31, or CSA B51.
💡 Tip: Ensure your design adheres to the applicable Canadian codes and standards. If you’re unsure, consult experienced CRN professionals like MECS Engineering for code verification and compliance review.
3. Poor Quality or Unclear Drawings
Low-resolution, cluttered, or disorganized drawings make it difficult for reviewers to assess your design — and often result in rejection or delays.
💡 Tip: Submit clean, properly labelled engineering drawings that clearly show all relevant details. MECS Engineering provides required support to ensure submissions are professional and reviewer-friendly.
4. Missing or Incomplete Design Calculations
Design calculations are the backbone of any pressure equipment submission. Missing or inconsistent data (e.g., stress, thickness, or pressure ratings) raises immediate red flags for reviewers.
💡 Tip: Always include complete and traceable calculations demonstrating that the design is structurally sound and code-compliant. There are alternates to calculations if performing the code calculations is not straight forward e.g. performing Pressure Burst test. Our engineers can guide how to meet these requirements.
5. Use of Unregistered or Non-Listed Materials
If your equipment uses materials not recognized by the regulatory authority or not listed in accepted codes, your CRN application will be stopped.
💡 Tip: Use materials listed in ASME Section II or other accepted standards. If an unlisted material must be used, MECS Engineering can help guide how to obtain material acceptance or alternate material approval early in the process.
6. Not Accounting for Provincial Differences
Each Canadian province and territory has its own boiler and pressure vessel authority and unique CRN submission requirements. A design accepted in one province may require additional information before being accepted in another.
💡 Tip: Work with Professional Engineers familiar with interprovincial differences to ensure your submission is correct and valid across all desired jurisdictions.
7. Limited Experience with the CRN Process
Navigating the CRN process without prior experience can lead to incomplete submissions, errors, and long delays.
💡 Tip: Partner with an experienced engineering firm like MECS Engineering. Our team ensures every submission is accurate, complete, and compliant — minimizing review cycles and helping you get approval faster.
CONCLUSION
Avoiding CRN rejection starts with understanding the process, meeting code requirements, and submitting complete documentation.
With MECS Engineering by your side, you gain access to a proven team of Professional Engineers who make CRN registration faster, easier, and stress-free.
📩 Ready to get started? Contact us today to discuss your pressure equipment design and CRN submission needs.
