ATEX Directives

The "explosion directives" 1999/92/EC (ATEX 137) and 94/9/EC (ATEX 95) have significant consequences for manufacturers of equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres on one hand and companies handling materials that can represent explosion hazards on the other hand.

Directive 1999/92/EC

Requires employers, who have processes in which explosive atmospheres can arise, to perform a risk analysis.

On the basis of this analysis, a document must be prepared to show, among other things, that:

  • The risk of explosions has been estimated
  • Necessary actions and precautions are undertaken
  • Area classification has been performed

Examples of industries that are affected:

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Chemical
  • Food industry
  • Metallurgical

  • Wood processing

Directive 94/9/EC

This directive requires that equipment manufacturers provide documentation stating that the equipment does not represent hazards of explosion if used in areas in which explosive mixtures of dust or gas can exist. This includes both electrical and non-electrical equipment.  Manufacturers of protective systems shall document that these systems have been dimensioned in such a way as to reduce the effects of explosions to a sufficient level of safety.

GexCon can determine whether or not your company is affected by these directives; what consequences they may have, and how to handle them in a cost-effective manner.

Contact persons:

Geir Pedersen
Phone no: +47 55 57 43 12
E-mail: geir(at)gexcon.com		 Bergitte Reiersen
Phone no: +47 55 57 40 79
E-mail: bergitte(at)gexcon.com

Kees van Wingerden 
Phone no: +47 55 57 42 05
E-mail: kees(at)gexcon.com