In 1968, the ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers – published a new code entitled Code for Pumps and Valves for Nuclear Power. This code, which was subsequently revised and eventually incorporated into the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, defines the design and quality assurance requirements governing the supply of equipment for nuclear facilities.
Having been active in the nuclear industry since the 1960s, RÜTSCHI naturally took an interest in these new regulations. The rapid expansion of nuclear power generation during the 1970s quickly confirmed the importance of this certification, which became an obvious step for the company as it sought to expand its activities in the nuclear sector and on international markets.
The necessary resources were then put in place. The first step was to train the workforce: 350 hours of training were provided to 20 employees to ensure they mastered the requirements of the code. From 11 to 14 October 1976, ASME then conducted a particularly rigorous audit, focusing in particular on the company’s quality assurance system.
The audit was a success, and later that same year Rütschi was awarded the “N-Stamp” certification for the first time. For many years, it remained one of the few European pump manufacturers to hold this certification.
This recognition quickly opened up new markets. As many countries were building nuclear power plants, they turned to Rütschi to supply pumps meeting ASME requirements. This was notably the case in South Korea, Belgium, India and several South American countries. Pumps manufactured by Rütschi are now installed in nuclear power plants on every continent.
ASME certification must be renewed every three years, leading the company to implement a robust quality management system in order to ensure the long-term continuity of its business with its new customers.
Today, Rütschi still holds both the “N” and “NPT” stamps. The most recent renewal took place in February 2026, marking fifty years of continuous certification since it was first awarded.
