Responsibility for designating all or part of a location/facility as having a potentially explosive atmosphere (a formal process known as Area Classification, or Zoning) falls on the operator of the facility, is guided by local regulations and falls under the scope of the ATEX ‘Workplace’ Directive 1999/92/EC.
We can assist a manufacturer to compile the technical file needed to meet the requirements of the ATEX Directive, for:
- Product (Equipment/Component) full 3rd Party ATEX Notified Body certification
- Manufacturers ‘self-declaration’ of compliance, where applicable
We can also offer the following services:
- ATEX training courses
- Ongoing ATEX-related technical support, including keeping manufacturers informed of changing regulations and updates in standards
- Quality Assurance Notification (ATEX QAN) guidance and support
- Area Classification
The Directive for Equipment & Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX) aims to ensure that equipment does not create a potential ignition source that could ignite a surrounding explosive atmosphere.
The ATEX ‘product’ Directive provides the requirements and procedures to establish the conformity of products placed on the EU market. Products must carry the appropriate ATEX coding, characterized by the EU Explosive Atmosphere symbol and specific designations to conform to ATEX. This is in addition to the CE Marking.
For example:
Benefits of Working With TI
- Ensure you meet the relevant legal requirements for placing ATEX products on the EU market
- Save time and money
- Help prevent your products from causing devastating accidents and explosions
- Product design assessments
- Compilation of safety Technical Files
- Peace of mind knowing you’re working with industry experts
- Regulatory advice on all aspects of the ATEX Directive
Typical Steps/Process
- Determine if your product requires ATEX approval
- Plan route to conformity
- Compilation of requisite Technical Files which support the relating EU Declaration of Conformity
- Affixing the appropriate ATEX coding to the product
Industries & Equipment Expertise
We work with many different types of businesses in the below industries. Technology International will help ensure your products meet the ATEX Directive requirements.
Industrial Equipment
Solvent handling equipment, agitators, and lighting equipment are just a few of the many pieces of industrial equipment that could require ATEX compliance.
Electrical Equipment
Ensure the safety of your electrical equipment while gaining peace of mind knowing that you’re getting expert help to guide you through the ATEX process.
Packaging Equipment
From sealing machines to labeling equipment and everything in between, some packaging equipment must meet ATEX requirements to enter into the EU market.
Warehouse Automation
Forklifts, AGVs, conveyors, and control panels are just a few of the many warehouse automation pieces of equipment that could require ATEX certification.
Canning and Food Processing Equipment
Mixers, conveyors, and canning equipment are just some of the many food processing machines that might need to obtain ATEX compliance before they reach the EU market.
Aerospace, Defense and Military
Defense and military equipment, aircraft ground support equipment, fuel management systems, and everything in between could require ATEX compliance to enter into service in the EU.
Agricultural Equipment
Agricultural and forestry equipment such as spraying, silo operating, and wood-processing equipment use a wide range of electrical and mechanical components. To bring your product to the EU market, you must first obtain ATEX compliance if the directive applies.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Equipment
Separators, sorters, centrifuges, powder, and flammables handling equipment are just a few of the many pharmaceutical manufacturing machines that might require ATEX compliance before they’re allowed to enter the EU market.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ATEX Directive
From the 1st January 2023 products being placed on the market in Great Britain will need to be UKCA marked. UKCA has replaced CE marking since the UK has now left the EU. The ‘ATEX 2014/34/EU Directive’ requirements are replaced by the UKEX ‘Regulations 2016’. UKEX follows the same basic principle of conformity assessment as ATEX, currently applying the same European EN standards.
UK Approved Bodies replace the European equivalent EU Notified Bodies.
Equipment intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres outside Europe is often required to comply with the IECEx Scheme, similar to ATEX in many respects. Although IECEx is a voluntary scheme, it now 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 Petrochemical, Pharmaceutical, and Food Processing industries. IECEx can be an alternative, widely accepted conformity process that goes hand-in-hand with UKEX and ATEX.
Technology International offers the same level of guidance and advice on IECEx as it does for UKEX and ATEX. For more information on the IECEx Scheme, please see here.
ATEX puts equipment into Groups and Categories based on the type of environment the equipment is intended to be used in and the level of protection provided by the equipment.
There are two Equipment Groups:
- Group I – equipment intended for use in underground parts of mines and in those parts of surface installations of such mines, liable to be endangered by firedamp and/or combustible dust.
- Group II – Equipment in this category is intended for use in areas in which explosive atmospheres caused by mixtures of air and gases, vapors or mists, or by air/dust mixtures are present (i.e. non-mining).
Equipment within each Group above is then Categorized further:
Group I
- Category M1 – equipment designed and, where necessary, equipped with additional special means of protection to be capable of functioning in conformity with the operational parameters established by the manufacturer and ensuring a very high level of protection.
- Category M2 – equipment designed to be capable of functioning in conformity with the operational parameters established by the manufacturer and ensuring a high level of protection
Group II
- Category 1 – Equipment in this category is intended for use in areas in which explosive atmospheres caused by mixtures of air and gases, vapors or mists or by air/dust mixtures are present continuously, for long periods or frequently.
- Category 2 – Equipment in this category is intended for use in areas where explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapors, mists, or air/dust mixtures are likely to occur occasionally.
- Category 3 – Equipment in this category is intended for use in areas in which explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapors, mists, or air/dust mixtures are unlikely to occur or, if they do occur, are likely to do so only infrequently and for a short period only.
Latest News & Articles
- What You Need to Know About the New Machinery Regu…November 29, 2023https://youtu.be/wiwU9sSyLuY?si=Grse9YcFZqCgq_8q The Machinery Directive has regulated the health and safety requirements of machinery sold in the Read More
What is UKCA Marking?June 7, 2023As of January 1st, 2021, the UK has a new compliance scheme for products and marking requirements. This is important for manufacturers placing Read More
What Is EMC Testing?June 7, 2023Electromagnetic Compatibility testing, also known as EMC testing, has become important to design engineers all over the world. It relates to the Read More
