ATEX & hazardous areas
Self-certification of products is not accepted under the IECEx scheme. Equipment certification under the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme is based on a compliance assessment with the technical requirements found in the IEC 60079 series of standards (electrical products); the IEC 80079 series of standards for non-electrical products; and the application of quality systems which have been developed by TC 31. However, the IECEx scheme only assesses electrical equipment against the technical requirements of IEC standards issued by TC 31. This restriction can present an insurmountable hurdle for manufacturers of highly specialised electrical equipment, for which a relevant standard does not yet exist.
The IECEx Scheme classifies equipment according to the hazardous environment areas where specific equipment can be used. Equipment Protection Level (EPL) Ga/Da and Gb/Db corresponds with the ATEX Categories 1 and 2 respectively, while Gc/Dc corresponds with the requirements of ATEX Cat 3. The IECEx conformity mark is evidence that a manufacturer’s products have been independently assessed against the additional requirements of the IECEx conformity mark licensing system. The mark license number is issued to a manufacturer by an accepted IECEx certification body (ExCB) that has entered into a mark license agreement with the IEC. The use of IEC standards and independent third-parties for testing, assessment and certification are essential elements in the widespread acceptance of IECEx- certified equipment. Indeed, in countries that do not participate in the IECEx System, or which still
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require separate national testing and certification, IECEx equipment tests and assessment reports are widely accepted by regulatory officials, which may eliminate the need for duplicate testing.
CONFORMITY ROUTE The ATEX Directive’s conformity assessment process provides a certification route for a broad range of electrical and non-electrical equipment. It also offers significant latitude in the technical assessment of non-conventional equipment through the use of a technical construction file. This can be especially important to manufacturers of customised equipment, or equipment specifically designed for unique applications.
Other considerations include restrictions on the use and acceptance of previously generated ATEX test data. Under the IECEx Scheme, equipment must be tested and certified by IECEx- approved Testing Laboratories and Certification Bodies, and evidence of prior testing conducted by an EU Notified Body is not acceptable. However, EU NBs or UK ABs located in IECEx member countries are required to accept test reports generated by IECEx-approved Testing Laboratories in support of an ATEX and UKEX certification submittal.
Given these considerations, the preferred conformity assessment path for many manufacturers has traditionally involved first obtaining equipment certification under the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme. The IECEx testing data is then be submitted to an EU NB for ATEX or UK AB as part of the certification process. This path would still require that
certain ATEX and UKEX specific requirements are met, such as those related to equipment marking and documentation. However, the effort involved is relatively small compared with other alternatives. Increasingly, equipment is being used in potentially hazardous environments to automate or control certain production processes, but the normal operation of equipment often involves actions or reactions that are a potential ignition source. To be able to eliminate the potential ignition sources, which can include considered faults, prior to manufacture and installation, a pre-assessment is recommended to understand the equipment design, operation and desired location and environment.
Equipment used in hazardous environments must be expressly designed to minimise risks. Manufacturers of electrical, non-electrical, electronic, mechanical equipment, protective systems and assemblies must therefore ensure that their products meet the requirements of applicable regulations and standards. Also, while the UKEX Regulation and other certification schemes govern how equipment and workplaces in explosive environments must be managed, and are similar in scope and intent, they have different requirements and assessment approaches, which complicates the regulatory approval process. Therefore, if your production processes involve flammable liquids, gases, vapours or combustible dusts, or you provide equipment that’s used in such places, you may require expert guidance or product/system certification.
TÜV SÜD
www.tuvsud.com/uk February 2024 Instrumentation Monthly
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