This article introduces the differences between IECEx and ATEX certification for explosion-proof electrical products. Equipment products certified by ATEX or IECEx, such as explosion-proof servo motors, are essential for use in any potentially explosive or potentially explosive environment, and are an important guarantee to help create production safety. There are many operating conditions that can be defined as being in an explosive environment, some of which are more obvious, such as oil drilling platforms, and some of which you may not realize are also explosive, such as flour mills. Domestic manufacturers exporting explosion-proof products to Europe and North America are recommended to obtain both IECEx and ATEX dual certifications, which will help simplify the export process.

IECEx obtains usage license in hazardous areas worldwide
The ATEX 94/9/EC (Equipment) Directive came into effect in the European Union in July 2003, but compliance with local regulations remains a challenge for equipment manufacturers and suppliers exporting to regions outside of Europe.
The goal of IECEx is to become a "globally recognized certification" through absolute and traceable compliance with nominated standards.
Many industries, such as petrochemical processing and mining, are global in scope. However, the professional knowledge required for designing and manufacturing control equipment in these industries often comes from European companies. ATEX is a mandatory legal directive based on multiple forms of conformity assessment, introduced to eliminate trade barriers within Europe. The purpose of ATEX is to establish perceptible safety standards that are sufficient to ensure that national regulatory authorities agree to free trade within the European Union.

ATEX certification
ATEX is not a true certification. The only public domain document for ATEX is the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) used by the manufacturer. This is also the only information that manufacturers must provide to buyers, and manufacturers are responsible for it themselves. Although other sources may be mentioned in the text, this document is based on any other document. The lack of this detail has led standard bodies in other countries outside the European Union to question the value of following ATEX and view it as a reference for local basic health and safety requirements.

General method

Compliance is usually achieved through the use of pre approved products in a specific manner, and if necessary, designated organizations (such as Baseefa, Sira, TUV, and other professional inspection stations) will provide conformity assessment to obtain other certifications. However, this is not always sufficient for global exports. There is also a need for an internationally recognized solution that enables device design to be used anywhere in the world without significant modifications. This approach can achieve acceptable universal safety levels by adopting recognized practices, with the aim of promoting free trade of products used in hazardous areas in all major markets worldwide.

IECEx Explosion proof Electrical Product Certification System

IECEx is a certification system advocated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which has quickly become the preferred way for products used in all hazardous areas to obtain international safety certification. The details provided in the IEC test report are not included in ATEX certification and can be approved locally to address any legal issues that may arise in the destination market.

Compared to ATEX, IECEx has always aimed to hire a separate third-party (IECEx certification body) to integrate all aspects of design evaluation and production control before issuing certification, similar to the ISO/IEC Type 5 certification system. This certification is a public document issued by a recognized certification body. Equipment buyers can access the IECEx online database to view the current status of authentication in real-time: active, suspended, or revoked.

Global identity

Unlike ATEX, the content of IECEx is completely open to buyers and users, unlike the ATEX compliance system where it is difficult to understand the details. The goal of IECEx is to become a "globally recognized certification" through absolute and traceable compliance with nominated standards.

ATEX has improved IECEx

This does not mean that ATEX certification cannot be used. The mandatory legal status of ATEX within Europe will ensure its continued importance, however, IECEx certification enhances ATEX, and for equipment exported to countries outside the EU, obtaining both certifications at the same time would be more advantageous. In the UK and Europe, Baseefa will continue to lead the verification, evaluation, and certification of products, and gain global recognition in the IECEx explosion-proof electrical product certification system. One of the globally accepted examples of IECEx certification system is that it has been adopted by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in the United States. UL has obtained the IECEx certification system for explosion-proof electrical products and has been issuing assessment and testing reports (ATR) since 2005.
 

Single authentication procedure

All national certification bodies that have joined the IECEx explosion-proof electrical product certification system recognize ATR without the need for additional testing. Therefore, obtaining a product certification can open the door to the 31 countries that have joined the IECEx certification system. These countries include Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, South Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia.
 

Integrating IECEx and ATEX certifications into one

1. Uniform technical standards for electrical equipment produced since 2006

2. For a single standard, a single set of testing and evaluation can support both IECEx and ATEX simultaneously

3. ATEX EC type audit certificate can be based on IECEx ExTR, but ATEX documentation may not necessarily support IECEx certification

4. The technical requirements of the manufacturer's quality assurance system are equally effective, based on EN13980 and IECEx QAR standards, and can support ATEX QAN certification; However, global standardization will take a long time, so more and more countries are adopting this international certification system. Many manufacturers have realized this shift and have started adding IECEx certification to their certification list. You will find that more and more products, whether existing or new, are beginning to affix the blue IECEx logo next to the familiar ATEX Ex logo.

Example of product logo with dual authentication

The dual labeling of IECEx and ATEX is becoming increasingly common. Through this method, the product can obtain the same recognition in other countries that have joined the IECEx certification system as they currently do in European countries. Sometimes, products may still need to comply with national certification standards, but in these cases, using IECEx test reports can quickly and cost effectively track certification information.

As the UK and European countries gradually shift their business focus to export markets outside of Europe and North America, dual certification of IECEx and ATEX will help simplify export procedures.

The IECEx explosion-proof electrical product certification system is a very important step towards a global certification system. The dual certification mark combining IECEx and ATEX will help make wiser choices in the process of designing, manufacturing, or purchasing products for hazardous areas.

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