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MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY FEATURE RY ELECTRICAL SAFETY CHAIN
ATMOSPHÈRE EXPLOSIBLES DIRECTIVE (ATEX)
Within the EU, compliance with the ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU) is required for equipment intended for use in potentially explosive environments. In the UK the ATEX Directive has been replaced by the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 UKSI 2016:1107 (UKEX Regulation). Potentially explosive atmospheres can
occur whenever a mixture of gases, vapours, mists or dusts combine in a way that can ignite under certain conditions. The ATEX Directive sets out health and safety requirements and assessments for products before they can be placed on the market. The ATEX directive consists of two EU
directives which describe the minimum safety requirements of the workplace and equipment used in explosive atmosphere. Under the provisions of the ATEX Directive, evidence of compliance is generally demonstrated by the issuance of a manufacturer’s or supplier’s Declaration of Conformity which is based on an independent technical assessment of 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.
UK will also need to comply with the EU Regulations. At the point of writing this article, no announcement has been made if UK regulations will be updated to align UKCA requirements with the EU. However, the UK government has recently issued a call for evidence to inform its decision making on the subject.
LOW VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE (LVD) Most machine builders will be aware of their legal obligation to declare conformity of their machines with the Machinery Regulation. However, when assessing electrical safety some machinery builders may be confused as to how the requirements of the LVD fit within this process (The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 in the UK). The Machinery Regulation and the LVD both address safety, but with different scopes. The Machinery Regulation focuses on
the overall safety of machinery, including electrical components, while the LVD specifically is a set of regulations to ensure that electrical equipment falling within specific voltage ranges provides a high level of protection. The directive applies to electrical equipment with a voltage rating between 50 and
1000 volts for alternating current and 75 and 1500 volts for direct current. If a machine contains electrical components within the LVD’s voltage limits, it needs to comply with both directives, but the Declaration of Conformity will typically cite the Machinery Directive.
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY (EMC) DIRECTIVE The EMC Directive (Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 in the UK) aims to control electrical interference between different devices. For example, if the electrical and electronic systems fitted to a machine generate a high level of interference, they may cause other equipment nearby to malfunction and create a dangerous situation. It is therefore mandatory for electronic products placed to comply with the EMC Directive. Not only does EMC testing ensure that
products meet regulatory requirements, it reduces the risk of costly non-compliance. Third-party EMC tests and conformity assessments help to ensure that a product maintains its desirable features when exposed to adverse conditions (immunity test) and does not cause undue interference (emission test).
RADIO EQUIPMENT DIRECTIVE (RED) The RED Directive is closely linked to the EMC Directive and provides a regulatory framework for radio equipment placed on the market. Characteristics and requirements ensure that radio equipment meets standards for safety, health and electromagnetic compatibility, while protecting privacy and personal data against fraud. It should be noted that, in the UK, the requirements of the Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 are presently identical to the RED, and there is no plan to mirror any additional requirements in the RED. For machinery builders, navigating the
electrical safety compliance landscape requires more than a checklist and they must grasp how electrical safety regulations are connected. It demands a comprehensive understanding of how all related directives and standards interlink. Without this holistic perspective, a machinery builder is at risk of creating products that, while seemingly compliant with one standard, fail to meet the overall safety requirements. The risk is that non-compliant and unsafe products are created, leading to unsafe machinery entering the market, and serious legal and financial consequences. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of the regulatory system is essential for ensuring product and end-user safety.
TÜV SÜD
www.tuvsud.com
NOVEMBER 2025 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 19
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