What is ATEX?
ATEX is an abbreviation of ‘ATmospheres EXplosibles’.
The ATEX Directive(s) were produced to be both a common approach to remove barriers to trade, and to establish a coherent strategy for the prevention of explosions at the workplace, within the European Economic Area (EEA).
Does ATEX Apply To Me?
ATEX applies if:
- You have a product to be placed on the market in the European Economic Area (EEA) intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere (ATEX ‘Product’ Directive 2014/34/EU)
and / or,
- You have areas within your facility / site / plant located within the European Economic Area (EEA) where potentially explosive atmosphere(s) may occur (ATEX ‘Workplace’ Directive 1999/92/EC).
How Do I Comply With The ATEX Directive?
ATEX ‘Product’ Directive 2014/34/EU
The ATEX ‘Product’ Directive 94/9/EC came into force on 1st July 2003 before transitioning to the new ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU from 20th April 2016.
The ATEX ‘Product’ Directive was produced to be a common approach to remove barriers to trade within the European Economic Area (EEA). The Directive provides a list of Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs) that the equipment, protective system or component must comply with. The Directive covers electrical and non-electrical (mechanical) products that generate their own ignition source.
To comply with the ATEX Directive, and to permit the relevant CE marking to be applied, the manufacturer shall perform the following:
- Show compliance with the ATEX ‘Product’ Directive EHSRs by designing their equipment to comply with the applicable harmonised standards, or other suitable standards.
- Produce an ATEX Technical File / Documentation which includes all the information / evidence required to demonstrate compliance with the relevant standards and the applicable EHSRs.
- Depending on the required ATEX Category / Zone of use, perform the relevant compliance procedure which can require employing a 3rd party ATEX Notified Body to provide an EU-Type Examination Certificate.
- Mark the ATEX Product with the CE mark and relevant explosion protection symbol, protection concept and associated scope of use marking.
- Create and supply a Declaration of Conformity or Assertation of Conformity for each product placed on the market.
ATEX ‘Workplace’ Directive 1999/92/EC
The objective of the ATEX ‘Workplace’ Directive is to protect workers against risks arising from explosive atmospheres. The Directive stipulates employers meet the following requirements:
- Conduct a Risk Assessment. This must assess the risks arising from explosive atmospheres.
- Workforce Training. Individuals that work in the explosive atmosphere must be suitably trained regarding explosion protection, equipment installation and maintenance.
- Explosion Protection Document (EPD). An EPD must be created prior to initiating any work activities. The EPD must include the associated Area Classification that has been performed. The EPD must be kept up to date with any changes to the facility / plant / site work activities and equipment installed within.
- Written Instructions and permits to work. Instructions and a permit to work system must be employed for all hazardous activities performed by employees and sub-contractors.
- Explosion Prevention and Protection. Appropriate technical and/or organisational measures must be applied to prevent and protect against explosions.
- Work coordination. If workers from different undertakings are carrying out work at the same time and location suitable coordination and implementation of health and safety activities must occur.
You can find additional information about ATEX on the European Commission website here.
UKEX Regulations - UKCA Marking
Latest Developments: 1st August 2023
The UK government intends to extend recognition of the CE marking for placing most goods on the market in Great Britain (GB), indefinitely, beyond December 2024. Read more about this recent update on the UK government website.
How Can Technology International Help?
We can provide complete solutions in house for all ATEX equipment categories, and by partnering with ATEX Notified Bodies we can assist to gain EU-Type Examination Certificates for applications where this is mandatorily required.
- Determining if products fall under the scope of the ATEX Directive
- Developing complete technical files to meet the requirements of the ATEX Directive
- ATEX training courses. (Covering ATEX, IECEx, UKEX)
- On-going Ex related technical support
- Area Classification (in-directly)
- Supporting Quality Assurance Notification / Quality Assessment Report (ATEX QAN / IECEx QAR).
- Ex Installation design, inspection and maintenance guidance and advice. (in-directly)
For more details on the services we can offer please contact us. Whatever a client’s individual requirements Technology International can tailor support solutions to meet their specific needs and budget.
ATEX outside of Europe?
Equipment intended to be used in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres outside of the EU and EEA, is often required to comply with the IECEx Scheme, which is similar in many respects to ATEX and UKEX.
What is IECEx?
IECEx is a voluntary scheme and has many member countries, the list of which is continuing to grow. “Ex” compliance is often strictly enforced within industries where risks of explosions are significant and constant, such as the Petrochemicals, Pharmaceutical and the Food Processing industries and IECEx can be an alternative widely accepted conformity process that goes hand-in-hand with ATEX and UKEX.
For more information on the IECEx Scheme please click here.
