ATEX Explosion-proof Certification Service

ATEX Explosion-proof Directive: 2014/34/EU

As is well known, the new ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU was issued in 2014 and fully enforced on April 20, 2016 with no transitional period.

On March 23, 1994, the European Commission adopted Directive 94/9/EC on equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Covering both mining and non-mining equipment, this directive includes mechanical and electrical equipment, and extends potentially explosive hazardous environments to airborne dust, flammable gases, vapors and mists. Known as ATEX 100A, it specifies essential health and safety requirements for equipment used in explosive atmospheres, as well as conformity assessment procedures before placing products on the European market.

The term ATEX derives from the French "Atmosphere Explosible".

Manufacturers of equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres may affix the CE mark in accordance with ATEX provisions and sell explosion-proof products across the European Union without additional regional requirements.

This directive covers a wide range of equipment applied to offshore platforms, petrochemical plants, flour mills and other sites with potential explosion risks. The annual procurement volume of such equipment in the European market is estimated at 3 billion euros.

Three Preconditions for Directive Application

  • 01

    The equipment itself contains potential ignition sources;

  • 02

    Intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheric mixtures;

  • 03

    Used under normal atmospheric conditions.

ATEX Equipment Categories by Protection Level

  • 01

    Category 1 — Very high protection level

  • 02

    Category 2 — High protection level

  • 03

    Category 3 — Normal protection level

For equipment used in Zone 0, 1 or 2, the category is suffixed with G for gas/vapour/mist:

Zone 0

Zone 1

Zone 2

Category 1G Equipment

Category 2G Equipment

Category 3G Equipment

For equipment used in Zone 20, 21 or 22, the category is suffixed with D for dust:

Zone 20

Zone 21

Zone 22

Category 1D Equipment

Category 2D Equipment

Category 3D Equipment

ATEX Conformity Assessment Modes

Assessment Mode

Reference Annex

Mode Code

EC type examination

Annex 3 B

Explosion-proof quality assurance system

Annex 4 D

Product verification

Annex 5 F

Conformity to type

Annex 6 C

Product quality assurance

Annex 7 E

Internal production control

Annex 8 A

Unit verification

Annex 9 G

ATEX Harmonized Standards

EN 1127-1:1997 Explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Part 1: Basic concepts and methodology

EN 1127-2:2002 Explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Part 2: Basic concepts and methodology for mining

EN 1755:2000 Safety of industrial trucks - Operation in potentially explosive atmospheres - Use in flammable gas, vapour, mist and dust environments

EN 1834-1:2000 Reciprocating internal combustion engines - Safety requirements for design and construction for use in potentially explosive atmospheres - Part 1: Group II engines for flammable gas and vapour environments

EN 1834-2:2000 Reciprocating internal combustion engines - Safety requirements for design and construction for use in potentially explosive atmospheres - Part 2: Group I underground engines for environments containing methane and/or combustible dust

EN 1834-3:2000 Reciprocating internal combustion engines - Safety requirements for design and construction for use in potentially explosive atmospheres - Part 3: Group II engines for combustible dust atmospheres

EN 12874:2001 Flame arresters - Performance requirements, test methods and application limits

EN 13012:2001 Petrol filling stations - Construction and performance of automatic nozzles for fuel dispensers

EN 13463-1:2001 Non-electrical equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres - Part 1: Basic method and requirements

EN 13821:2002 Potentially explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Determination of minimum ignition energy of dust/gas mixtures

EN 13980:2002 Potentially explosive atmospheres - Quality system application procedures

CENELEC Explosion-proof Standards:

EN 50014:1997 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres - General requirements

EN 50014:1997 Amendment A1:1999

EN 50014:1997 Amendment A2:1999

EN 50015:1998 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres - Oil immersion protection "O"

EN 50017:1998 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres - Powder filled protection "q"

EN 50018:2000 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres - Flameproof enclosure "d"

EN 50018:2000 Amendment A1:2002

EN 50019:2000 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres - Increased safety "e" + Corrigendum 2003.4

EN 50020:2002 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres - Intrinsic safety "i"

EN 50021:1999 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres - Type of protection "n"

EN 50054:1998 Gas detection and measuring instruments - General requirements and test methods

EN 50055:1998 Gas detection and measuring instruments - Performance requirements for Group I equipment indicating methane ≤ 5 % (V/V) in air

EN 50056:1998 Gas detection and measuring instruments - Performance requirements for Group I equipment indicating methane up to 100 % (V/V) in air

EN 50057:1998 Gas detection and measuring instruments - Performance requirements for Group II equipment indicating lower explosive limit up to 100 %

EN 50058:1998 Gas detection and measuring instruments - Performance requirements for Group II equipment indicating flammable gas concentration up to 100 %

EN 50104:1998 Oxygen detection and measuring equipment - Performance requirements and test methods

EN 50241-1:1999 Specification for open path equipment for the detection of flammable or toxic gases and vapours - Part 1: General requirements and test methods

EN 50241-2:1999 Specification for open path equipment for the detection of flammable or toxic gases and vapours - Part 2: Performance requirements for flammable gas detection equipment

EN 50281-1-1:1998 Electrical equipment for use in combustible dust atmospheres - Part 1-1: Protected equipment by enclosure - Construction and testing + Corrigendum 1999.08

EN 50281-1-1:1998 Amendment A1:2002

EN 50281-1-2:1998 Electrical equipment for use in combustible dust atmospheres - Part 1-2: Protected equipment by enclosure - Selection, installation and maintenance + Corrigendum 1999.12

EN 50281-1-2:1998 Amendment A1:2002

EN 50281-2-1:1998 Electrical equipment for use in combustible dust atmospheres - Part 2-1: Test methods - Method for the determination of dust minimum ignition temperature

EN 50284:1999 Special requirements for construction, testing and marking of Group II Category 1G electrical equipment

EN 50303:2000 Group I Category M1 equipment intended to remain functional in methane and/or coal dust hazardous atmospheres

EN 62013-1:2002 Cap lamps for use in mines containing methane - Part 1: General requirements - Construction and testing related to explosion hazards

ATEX Certified Product Scope

  • 01 Products Covered by ATEX

    ATEX covers a wide range of equipment for fixed offshore platforms, petrochemical plants, flour mills and other potentially explosive sites.
    1) Electrical Equipment: Devices with electronic components for power generation, storage, distribution, conversion or electric control;
    2) Non-electrical Equipment: Mechanical devices with moving parts that may generate ignition sources such as hot surfaces or friction sparks, including gearboxes, fans, compressors, brakes and mixers, usually driven by electrical units.

  • 02 Excluded Products

    1) Medical devices for healthcare environments;
    2) Equipment and protective systems where explosion hazards arise solely from explosive substances or unstable chemicals;
    3) Equipment for domestic and non-commercial use with rare potential flammable gas formation;
    4) Risks limited to occasional gas leakage;
    5) Personal protective equipment covered by Directive 89/686/EEC;
    6) Seagoing vessels, mobile offshore units and their onboard equipment;
    7) Transport vehicles for passengers or goods by air, road, rail or water, excluding vehicles specially designed for explosive atmosphere operation.

Required Certification Documents

Product description: function, structural composition, model difference analysis, etc.

Specification sheet and key technical parameter list

Assembly drawings and detailed component drawings

Electrical schematic diagrams and component list

Explosion-proof certificates for electrical components

Design calculation documents

Test reports

Product nameplate

Quality management certificate (ISO9001)

Declaration of Conformity

Ignition source risk assessment report (in accordance with EN 13463-1)

Certification Process

  • 01

    The client provides basic product information including model list, material, specification, performance and application to confirm applicable standards and assessment modes.

  • 02

    Formulate testing, training and audit plans according to the selected certification mode and confirm detailed requirements.

  • 03

    Conduct initial assessment and training on product standards and production management systems.

  • 04

    Complete type testing, factory audit and quality system assessment as required by the certification mode.

  • 05

    Issue ATEX CE certificate for equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres.

  • 06

    Implement ongoing product surveillance and quality system monitoring as specified.

Test Items

Test items vary by product design and applicable standards, and generally include the following:

Electrostatic ignition test for non-conductive materials

Impact resistance test

Dry running test for lubricated and sealed assemblies

Drop test

Thermal temperature test

Explosion resistance test

Flame propagation test

Functional performance test

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