ATEX & hazardous areas
documentation and testing where required. Special requirements apply to electrical products intended for use in high risk areas. The task of demonstrating compliance with the ATEX Directive rests with the party responsible for introducing a product into the EU and now also the UK marketplace, such as the product manufacturer, importer or wholesaler. Annex II of the ATEX directive for Europe, or the UKSI 2019:696 schedule 25 for the UK, addresses design and construction requirements for equipment and protective systems. However, the specific technical requirements to demonstrate compliance for various types of equipment and operating environments are found in nearly 100 individual harmonised standards for Europe, and now the designated standards list for UK, which may be applicable to the evaluation and certification process. Depending on the equipment and its intended use, this means that more than one harmonised standard may be applicable to the evaluation and certification process. Updated harmonised standards lists are published periodically in the Official Journal of the European Union. Annex I identifies three equipment categories, which depend on the environment in which the equipment is to be used. Category 1 and 2
Instrumentation Monthly February 2024
electrical equipment must be tested and certified by an EU Notified Body (NB) or UK Authorised body (AB), and a certified quality system must also be maintained. Category 2 and 3 non- electrical equipment does not require NB or AB involvement, but technical documentation must be stored with an ATEX NB or UKEX AB, depending on which country the equipment will ultimately be located in.
THE IECEX SCHEME Outside of the EU or the UK, equipment certified in connection with the voluntary IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme meets the regulatory requirements of more than 30 countries. In addition, the IECEx System has been endorsed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). As a result, non-IECEx member countries can implement legal frameworks into their respective national legislation, simply by adopting the IECEx System and Schemes. Under the System, regulatory authorities in member countries accept certifications issued by IECEx-recognised Certification Bodies, regardless of their location.
The primary goals of the IECEx Scheme are to reduce testing and certification cost, speed up
market access for new products and equipment, and increase international acceptance of product assessment results. The Scheme achieves these goals through the issuance of an International Certificate of Conformity based on:
1. Testing and assessment of equipment samples for compliance with applicable international standards.
2. Assessment and auditing of a manufacturer’s quality assurance system.
3. On-going surveillance audits to ensure continued compliance.
Under the IECEx Scheme, testing and assessment activities are carried out by IECEx- approved Testing Laboratories, with certifications issued by IECEx- approved Certification Bodies. Assessment is based exclusively on compliance with standards issued by Technical Committee (TC) 31 of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
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