INSIGHTS
INTERNATIONAL: SAFETY STANDARDS Lee Ray, TÜV SÜD
Understand ATEX and IECEx The ATEX and IECEx directives are standards for environments at risk of fire or explosion.
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ue to the use of flammable gases, vapors or combustible dusts, some modern industrial environments pose an increased risk of fire and explosion. Within the EU, compliance with the ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU) is required, and in other markets the IECEx Equipment Certification Scheme applies. Like all EU Directives, the ATEX Directive generally relies on the application of relevant standards to assess technical compliance. Compliance with the technical requirements of EU harmonized standards provides a presumption of conformity with the Directive’s essential requirements. As EU Directives are transposed into National Law, the UK already has a legal system in place that applies. The actual standards will remain the same as EU harmonized standards and will be carried across as U.K. designated standards to maintain a single standards model. In cases where relevant harmonized standards do not exist, manufacturers are required ATEX: More than to apply other EU standards, or applicable national or international standards. In rare one harmonized cases, where a particular product is not covered by any existing standard, a manufacturer standard may be is required to complete a thorough evaluation of the product to demonstrate compliance. applicable to the Under the provisions of the ATEX Direcevaluation and certive, evidence of compliance is generally demonstrated by the issuance of a Declaration of tification process. Conformity, from the manufacturer or supplier, based on an independent technical assessment. 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 marketplace. This is typically the product manufacturer, but it may also be an importer or wholesaler. Annex II of the ATEX directive addresses design and construction requirements for equipment and protective systems. Specific technical requirements to demonstrate compliance for various types of equipment and operating environments are found in nearly 100 individual harmonized standards. Depending on the equipment and its intended use, this means that Updated harmonized standards lists are published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Annex I identifies three equipment categories, which depend on the environment in which the
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equipment is to be used. Cat 1 and 2 electrical equipment must be tested and certified by an EU Notified Body (NB), and an NB-certified quality system must also be maintained. Cat 2 and 3 non-electrical equipment does not require NB involvement, but technical documentation must be stored with an ATEX NB.
The IECEx scheme
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-recognized 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. Under the IECEx Scheme, testing and assessment activities are carried out by IECEx-approved Testing Laboratories, with certifications issued by IECExapproved 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. 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 specialized electrical equipment, for which a relevant standard does not yet exist. The IECEx Scheme classifies equipment by the hazardous environment areas where specific equipment can be used. Equipment protection level (EPL) www.controleng.com
