Since the first directives on potentially explosive atmospheres came into force, the ATEX regulations have undergone a number of changes.
In response to the ever-increasing need to reinforce the safety of industrial sites, organizations such as CENELEC and IEC are working to make standards and best practices easier to understand, so as to guard against risks.
Here’s an overview of the latest developments in ATEX marking standards.
European ATEX directives
Since 2003: The user directive 99/92/EC – in force
This directive lays down minimum requirements designed to improve the health and safety of workers liable to be exposed to the risk of ATEX.
It is applicable by any authority figure in charge of an industrial site or unit where an ATEX atmosphere may form.
This text defines 4 main areas of user obligations with regard to explosion prevention and protection:
- Technical and organizational measures appropriate to the type of operation.
- Overall assessment of explosion risks.
- Zoning of locations where ATEX may be present (Zone 0, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 20, Zone 21, Zone 22, etc.).
- The installation of signage audible and illuminated near and in the defined areas.
Since 2014/2016: The new product directive 2014/34/EU
The new European Directive 2014/34/EU strengthens and clarifies the legal obligations of manufacturers, importers and distributors on a European scale. It is a revision of standard 94/9/EC.
The former ATEX Directive laid down safety requirements for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
It has not been in force since 2016.
Among the new features introduced by this new standard :
- The EC declaration of conformity becomes EU with a file of the individual declarations of conformity concerned (document to be kept for 10 years);
- The CE examination certificate becomes the EU examination certificate;
- Details and identity of importers mandatory on each product.
- All those involved at every stage of the product’s manufacture and sale have a greater responsibility towards it.
- Equipment and systems must be clearly marked to indicate their use in ATEX zones.
- Enhanced compliance assessment and safety controls.
IEC and CENELEC explosion protection standards
CEN/CENELEC standards
The European ATEX directives are based on the work of organizations such as CENELEC, which issue standards as follows:
- CEN: mechanical standards.
- CENELEC: electronic and electrotechnical standards.
IEC standards
ATEX is the European certification scheme, while IECEx is the worldwide certification scheme created by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
The aim of the IECEx scheme was to facilitate trade in ATEX equipment by standardizing existing national certifications.
Like ISO standards, IEC standards are numbered and take this form: IEC 60081 Titles .
In the ATEX field, the reference standards are those of the IEC 60079 family.
These have been designed to limit fires and explosions caused by electrical malfunctions in hazardous areas. The IEC 60079 standard is divided into several sections, and includes new specifications for ATEX marking:
- IEC/EN 60079-0 General requirements Gas / Dust
- IEC/EN 60079-1 Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures “d
- IEC/EN 60079-2 Equipment protection with internal overpressure enclosures “p
- IEC/EN 60079-7 Equipment protection by increased safety “e
- IEC/EN 60079-10-1 Zone classification – Explosive gas atmospheres
- IEC/EN 60079-10-2 Zone classification – Explosive dust atmospheres
- IEC/EN 60079-11 Equipment protection by intrinsic protection “i
- IEC/EN 60079-14 Design, selection and construction of electrical installations
- IEC/EN 60079-15 Equipment protection by “n” protection mode
- IEC/EN 60079-17 Inspection and maintenance of electrical installations
- IEC/EN 60079-19 Device repair, overhaul and reconditioning
- IEC/EN 60079-31 Protection against dust ignition by equipment “t” enclosure
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