ATEX Product Certification

 

ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU

ATEX directive deals with each of the following product groups for use in potentially explosive atmospheres:

• Electrical & non-electrical equipment
• Electrical & non-electrical protective systems
• Electrical & non-electrical components
• Electrical & non-electrical safety devices

The responsibility of the manufacturer is to prevent the formation and ignition of explosive atmospheres. This may be achieved by using one of the well-established protection concepts (such as flameproof protection, or intrinsic safety), or by proving compliance directly against a set of ‘essential health and safety requirements’, which are given in the directive.

Under ATEX you can put the product in the market once you have successfully achieved EU type Examination and Quality Assessment Notification (QAN)

EU Type Examination: Type Examination requires the products to be tested as per the requirements of the ATEX Harmonized Standards. Based on the Intended Use and application of the product standard for testing as per EN 60079 series shall be Tested. Certificate under EU type is normally valid for 10 years.

Quality Assessment Notification: to put the product on the market, the manufacturer must hold valid Quality Assessment Notification (QAN), under this it basically cover the Quality Management System to be maintained by the manufacturer as per EN 80079-34 for the Ex products. It requires an onsite audit and an annual surveillance audit with issuance of limited time certificate for 3 years.

ATEX For Non Electrical Products:

For Non Electrical Products which fall into Category 2 & 3 an EU type Examination is not required.

For category 2 Non Electrical Equipment, the technical documentation shall be submitted to the notified body.