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Understanding the differences between UKCA ‘Ex’, The ATEX Directive and IECEx

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ATEX Certification (EU)

ATEX is one of the CE Marking Directives required for placing products on the European market when the product is designed to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. The use of harmonized European standards (prefixed ‘EN’) gives the manufacturer the “presumption of conformity” to the “Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs)” and this is the basis on which to issue a declaration of compliance for the ATEX Directive. It is also possible to certify directly against the Essential Health and Safety Requirements without applying a Standard, but this is a far more difficult route and requires a high degree of specialist knowledge. The ATEX Directive requires that Zone 0 and Zone 1 electrical equipment (and zone 0 non-electrical equipment) has the following documents for approval.

  • An ATEX EC Type Exam Certificate issued by a Notified Body
  • An ATEX Quality Module issued by a Notified Body
  • A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and Technical File stating compliance with all applicable Directives. The DoC is issued by the manufacturer.

For certain types of equipment (non-electrical for Zone 1 or both electrical and non-electrical for Zone 2), it is possible to self-certify, although in many cases buyers will request some form of 3rd party certification. For non-electrical equipment designed for Zone 1 use, self-certification can be carried out, but the technical file generated must be lodged with a Notified Body.

UKCA ‘EX’ Certification (UK)

UKCA ‘EX’ Certication is essentially the same as ATEX with the major difference that the products are certified to ‘UK Designated Standards’ by a UK Government Appointed Body for the ‘EPS Regulations’ (Equipment and Protective Systems).

The IECEx Scheme (Global)

The IECEx Scheme is a voluntary Certification Body Scheme for Ex equipment and assemblies used in potentially explosive atmospheres. It consists of three elements, all issued by an IECEx Scheme Certification Body (ExCB):

  • IECEx Test Report (ExTR), which documents the evaluation and testing of the subject equipment, performed to the applicable IEC Series Standards
  • IECEx Quality Assessment Report (ExQAR), which documents the suitability of the manufacturer’s QA system.
  • IECEx Certificate of Conformity (IECEx CoC), which can be issued to a manufacturer holding an ExTR and an applicable ExQAR. This is published ‘on-line’ and is live.

Unlike ATEX and UKCA ‘Ex’ there is no route for self-certification. Unlike ATEX and UKCA there is also no legal requirement to have IECEx Certified Equipment, but it is often a requirement of end users (who prefer that all approval is from a highly regulated 3rd party) and by other Certification Bodies around the world who use the IECEX Test Report as the basis for local certication. IECEX is the ‘passport’ for Global ‘Ex’ Approval and access to world markets.

Sean Clarke CEng MSc FIET is the Managing Director of ExVeritas who a UKCA Approved ‘Ex’ Body, an ATEX Notified Body and IECEx Test and Certification Body. www.exveritas.com for on-line ATEX and UKCA Technical File Lodging

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