Hartford Steam Boiler Announces Agreement With Sweden-Based SAQ Kontroll AB

The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (NYSE: HSB) has entered into an agreement with SAQ Kontroll AB (SAQ), an engineering firm based in Sweden, to perform inspection and certification of boilers and pressure vessels designed and manufactured for export to countries in the European Union.

HSB inspectors will oversee the construction of boilers and pressure vessels to assure that SAQ complies with the European Union's Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). Though currently issued as a draft, PED is already being adhered to by most buyers in the European market. The directive will become effective and enforceable in November 1999, but members of the European Union may still apply their own requirements until PED becomes mandatory in May 2002. Member nations include: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Hartford Steam Boiler's agreement with SAQ also applies to other pertinent European Union directives already in effect, such as "Simple Pressure Vessels" and "Gas Cylinders." It will also permit HSB inspectors to perform inspections and certification for SAQ's customers with locations outside of Scandinavia.

"This relationship further expands our role in the global marketplace as a leading provider of quality engineering services," said William Wolfe, vice president, Engineering Services. "In addition, it will enable us to assist our U.S. customers who have a need to meet European PED requirements."

HSB Group, Inc. (NYSE:HSB), is the parent of The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. HSB has specialized in loss prevention and loss control engineering since 1866.