ATEX Approval and Certification of Equipment 

The EU directive 94/9/EC, commonly called the ATEX "product" directive, came into force on the 1st of July 2003. The directive sets a number of minimum requirements for manufacturers of equipment and components, both electrical and mechanical, that are intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres of gas, dust, mist or vapour.

The demands and requirements set by the directive and relevant standards are dependent upon the type of equipment and the nature of the hazardous area in which it is to be used or installed. Although much equipment can be "self-approved" in terms of ATEX 94/9/EC (especially non-electrical), under certain circumstances, certification by a Notified Body is required.

 

GexCon can help you throughout the ATEX conformity verification and certification process. This includes:

• Verify if, and to to what extent, your equipment or product falls in under the 94/9/EC directive and your obligations as the user or manufacturer of the equipment in question
• Assessment of ATEX equipment "category": Ex-zone 0/20 = Cat' 1, zone 1/21 = Cat' 2 and zone 2/22 = Cat' 3 for Group II equipment (all non-mining equipment) 
• Identify demands and conformity requirements, given in relevant explosion standards, which your equipment must satisfy. For mechanical equipment these are typically given in EN 1127-1, EN 13463-1 and possibly one or more in the EN 13463 series (parts 2-8) and an ATEX conformity assessment must be performed 
• Ignition hazard assessment studies (IHA), according to EN 13463-1 and EN 15198
• Ignition source testing (electrostatic, mechanical) according to EN 13463-1 and other relevant standards
• Testing of explosion and fire protection equipment (vent panels, explosion Isolation and suppression systems, flame arresters etc.) according to dedicated European Standards for this type of explosion safety equipment
• Preparation of the necessary documentation required for ATEX approval and/or certification (Technical File and Declaration of Conformity) to yield ATEX approval of Category 2 and Category 3 equipment (non-electrical) 
• ATEX certification of Category 1 equipment (mechanical) via a Notified Body

Examples of equipment that has been tested, assessed, approved and/or certified by GexCon:

• Several types of surface treatment tools like paint removers and grinders
• Weld cutters
• Explosion venting panels
• Fast acting valves (as explosion isolation systems)
• Chemical barriers (as explosion isolation systems)
• Flame arresters
• Several powder transport systems (conveyor belts, screw transporters and sieves)

If you have any questions or would like advice concerning ATEX approval and certification or equipment testing at GexCon, please contact any of the following: