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EXPLOSION SAFETY
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.
TACKLING HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS The UKEX Regulation provides a detailed overview of the essential health and safety requirements applicable to equipment used in hazardous environments. However, the specific technical requirements to demonstrate compliance for various types of equipment and operating environments are found in nearly 100 individual designated standards. Depending on the equipment and its intended use, this means that more than one designated standard may be applicable to the evaluation and certification process. Under the provisions of the UKEX Regulation, evidence of compliance is generally demonstrated by the issuance of a manufacturer’s, or supplier’s Declaration of Conformity, and the task of demonstrating compliance rests with the party responsible for introducing a product into the marketplace. External to Europe and the UK, 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 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.
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). Self-certification of products is not accepted under the IECEx scheme as equipment certification 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 into IEC 80079-34 specifically. 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 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. The UKEX Regulation’s conformity assessment process provides a certification route for a broad range of 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. Under the IECEx Scheme, equipment must be tested and certified by IECEx-approved Testing Laboratories and Certification Bodies. Evidence of prior testing conducted by an EU Notified Body or UK Approved Body is not acceptable. The preferred conformity assessment path for many manufacturers has therefore traditionally involved first obtaining equipment certification under the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme. The IECEx testing data must then be submitted to an EU Notified Body or UK Approved Body as part of the certification process. 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
INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE | SUMMER 2024 11
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