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Differences Between IECEx and ATEX for Explosion-Proof Electrical Products

This article outlines the differences between IECEx and ATEX certifications for explosion-proof electrical products. It is imperative that equipment and products (such as explosion-proof servo motors) certified to ATEX or IECEx standards be used in any environment that is explosive or potentially explosive, as these certifications serve as a critical safeguard to help ensure production safety. Many working conditions can be defined as explosive environments; some are obvious, such as oil drilling platforms, while others may not be immediately recognized as such, for example, flour mills. For domestic manufacturers exporting explosion-proof products to Europe and North America, it is recommended to obtain both IECEx and ATEX dual certifications, which will help streamline export procedures.

IECEx: Gaining Approval for Use in Hazardous Areas Worldwide

The ATEX 94/9/EC (Equipment) Directive came into force in the European Union in July 2003. However, for equipment manufacturers and suppliers exporting to regions outside Europe, compliance with local regulations remains an ongoing challenge.

The goal of IECEx is to become a globally recognized certification through absolute and traceable compliance with nominated standards.

Many industries, such as petrochemical processing and mining, operate on a global scale. Yet, the expertise in designing and manufacturing control equipment required for these industries often originates from European companies. ATEX is a mandatory legal directive based on multiple conformity assessment modules, introduced to eliminate trade barriers within Europe. Its purpose is to establish perceptible safety standards that are sufficient to ensure national competent authorities approve free trade across the European Union.

ATEX Certification

ATEX is not a certification in the true sense of the term. The only public document for ATEX is the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) issued by the manufacturer. This is the sole document that manufacturers are required to present to purchasers, and they assume full responsibility for its validity. Although references to other sources may be included in the document, its issuance is independent of any other documentation. The lack of such details has led standardization bodies in countries outside the EU to question the value of ATEX compliance, regarding it merely as a reference for basic local health and safety requirements.

General Approach

Compliance is typically achieved by using pre-approved products in specific ways, and if necessary, Notified Bodies (such as specialized inspection stations like Baseefa, Sira, TUV, etc.) provide conformity assessments to obtain additional certifications. However, this is not always sufficient for global exports. What is needed is an internationally accepted solution that allows equipment designs to be used anywhere in the world without major modifications. This can be achieved by adopting recognized practices to ensure an acceptable level of universal safety, with the aim of promoting free trade of products for hazardous areas in all major global markets.

The IECEx Certification System for Explosion-Proof Electrical Products

IECEx is a certification system initiated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and has rapidly become the preferred route for obtaining international safety certification for products used in all hazardous areas. The details provided in an IECEx test report are not included in ATEX certification and can be locally approved to address any legal issues that may arise in the target market.

Unlike ATEX, IECEx was designed from the outset, like the ISO/IEC Type 5 certification system, to involve an independent third party (an IECEx Certification Body) that integrates all aspects of design evaluation and production control before issuing a certification. The certification is a public document issued by an accredited certification body. Equipment purchasers can access the IECEx online database to check the current status of a certification in real time: current, suspended, or revoked.

Global Recognition

Unlike ATEX, the content of an IECEx certification is fully transparent to purchasers and users, whereas the details of ATEX compliance are often difficult to access. The goal of IECEx is to become a globally accepted certification through absolute and traceable compliance with nominated standards.

ATEX Complements IECEx

This is not to say that ATEX certification is obsolete. The mandatory legal status of ATEX within Europe will ensure its continued importance. However, IECEx certification complements ATEX, and for equipment exported to countries outside the EU, obtaining both certifications offers significant advantages. In the UK and Europe, Baseefa will continue to lead in the inspection, evaluation, and certification of products, with global recognition under the IECEx system for explosion-proof electrical products. One example of IECEx's global acceptance is its adoption by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). UL is accredited under the IECEx system and has been issuing Assessment and Test Reports (ATR) since 2005.

A Unified Certification Process

National certification bodies participating in the IECEx system recognize ATRs without requiring additional testing. Therefore, obtaining a single product certification can open doors to 31 countries currently part of the IECEx system. These countries include Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, South Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, and Russia, among others.

Combining IECEx and ATEX Certifications into One

Unified Technical Standards for Electrical Aspects: For equipment manufactured since 2006.

A single set of tests and evaluations based on a unified standard can support both IECEx and ATEX certifications simultaneously.

ATEX EC Type Examination Certificates can be based on IECEx ExTRs, but ATEX documentation does not necessarily support IECEx certifications.

The technical requirements for manufacturers' quality assurance systems are also valid, based on two standards: EN 13980 and IECEx QAR, which can support ATEX QAN certifications. However, global standard unification will take a long time. As a result, a growing number of countries are adopting this international certification system. Many manufacturers have recognized this shift and have begun adding IECEx certification to their list of credentials. You will find an increasing number of products—both existing and new—that display the blue IECEx mark alongside the familiar ATEX Ex mark.

Example of Product Marking with Dual Certification

Dual marking for IECEx and ATEX is becoming increasingly common. This approach allows products to gain the same recognition in other IECEx member countries as they currently enjoy in European countries. In some cases, products may still need to comply with national certification standards, but in such instances, using IECEx test reports enables faster certification tracking at minimal cost.

As the UK and European countries gradually shift their focus to export markets outside Europe and North America in particular, dual IECEx and ATEX certifications will help simplify export procedures.

The IECEx certification system for explosion-proof electrical products represents a crucial step toward a globalized certification framework. Whether designing, manufacturing, or purchasing products for hazardous areas, the combined dual certification mark of IECEx and ATEX will help facilitate more informed decision-making.