ATEX and IECEx may seem similar, but there are some important differences between the two certifications that you should know. To protect the health and safety of your employees, you should be clear on the different requirements that each certification entails. Even though ATEX and IECEx are common terms in the industry, many of us might still be confused on what they stand for. Hence, this article aims to provide you with a clearer understanding on the differences between ATEX and IECEx.
What is ATEX?
ATEX is derived from the term ‘ATmosphere EXplosibles’ and it is a mandatory certification for all products to be sold across Europe. ATEX consists of two European Directives that mandate the type of equipment and work conditions allowed in a hazardous environment.
1. ATEX 95 Directive
The ATEX 2014/34/EC Directive, also known as ATEX 95, applies to the manufacture of all equipment and products that are used in potentially explosive environments. The ATEX 95 Directive states the basic health and safety requirements that all explosion proof equipment and safety products have to meet in order to be traded in Europe.
2. ATEX 137 Directive
The ATEX 99/92/EC Directive, also known as ATEX 137, is aimed at protecting the health and safety of employees who are constantly exposed to potentially explosive working environments. The directive states:
1. Basic requirements to protect the safety and health of workers
2. Classification of areas that may contain a potentially explosive atmosphere
3. Areas that contain a potentially explosive atmosphere have to be accompanied with a warning symbol
What is IECEx?
IECEx stands for the certification by the International Electrotechnical Commission for Explosive Atmospheres. To be IECEx certified, all products must go through a monitored process by the International Electrotechnical Commission to ensure that they meet the minimum safety requirements. This process will determine if the products can be used in hazardous or potentially explosive locations.
Being IECEx certified allows the products and equipment to be traded across countries without having to be re-tested and recertified for every country. As different countries adhere to different safety standards, products from one country have to be retested in another country to abide by its guidelines for use in hazardous areas. Therefore, IECEx acts as a common set of safety standards amongst participating countries certification which helps to reduce testing and certification costs for manufacturers.
Participating countries in the IECEx Scheme include the majority of countries in Europe, Canada, Australia, Russia, China, United States and South Africa.
Key Differences between ATEX and IECEx
The main difference between ATEX and IECEx is that ATEX certification only applies for countries in the EU while IECEx certification is accepted globally. Hence, the IECEx certification is more widely recognised and accepted compared to ATEX certification.
Another key difference between ATEX and IECEx certifications is that ATEX is law-driven while IECEx is standard-driven. This means that compliance to the standards is not mandatory for IECEx certification, but it is required for ATEX. As a result of this, the manufacturer is accountable for the entire ATEX certification process for products. On the other hand, the responsibility lies with the external certification party to ensure that the necessary products are IECEx certified.
One fundamental way that ATEX differs from IECEx is the way each certification is set up. The IECEx certification consists of four schemes: IECEx Equipment Scheme, IECEx Conformity Mark License, IECEx Services Scheme, and IECEx Certified Persons Scheme. These four schemes are to ensure that every aspect of the products conforms to the IECEx standard, from the quality of the Ex equipment itself to the competency of the personnel who will be handling such equipment in hazardous environments. On the other hand, the ATEX certification only consists of 2 directives: ATEX 95 and ATEX 137.
Furthermore, ATEX certification can be based on an IECEx test report, but an ATEX documentation may not necessarily support an IECEx certificate. Therefore, it has become a common industry requirement for products to contain both ATEX and IECEx certificates.
ATEX directives and certifications for gasses, vapours and mists
ATEX Zone 0 A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.
ATEX Zone 1 A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
ATEX Zone 2 A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.
ATEX directives and certifications for combustible dusts
ATEX Zone 20 A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously, or for long periods or frequently.
ATEX Zone 21 A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
ATEX Zone 22 A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.
What is UL & NEC?
In the US, NEC (National Electric Code) is followed, which puts HAZLOC (Hazardous Locations) into classes, divisions (and groups for the type of materials present) and for Europe, IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) classifies HAZLOC by zones. Products such as a panel PC will then be certified to be safe in these areas before they can be applied.
In North America products are listed by UL (Underwriters Laboratories, a global safety consulting and Certification Company based in the US and 45 other countries) under what level of Class and Division the product is suitable for, whilst ATEX uses certified bodies to classify products for use in the EU.
Outside of the European Union, regulations apply under the IEC Ex (International Electrotechnical Commission – System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres). IEC Ex is a voluntary system which provides an internationally accepted means of proving compliance with IEC standards. IEC standards are used in many national approval schemes and as such, IEC Ex certification can be used to support national compliance, negating the need in most cases for additional testing.
UL CLASSES AND DIVISIONS
UL Classes for Ignitable Substance
Class 1 Flamable gas, vapours, and liquids.
Class 2 Combustible dusts.
Class 3 Ignitable fibers and flyings.
UL Divisions for Operating Conditions Divisions go further in classifying how often the flammable or explosive substances are likely to be present under normal operating conditions.
Division 1 Flammable substances are continually present or are likely to exist under normal operating conditions.
Division 2 Flammable substances are not likely to exist under normal operating conditions.
Comparing UL Classes and Divisions with ATEX Directives
Class 1 / Division 1 :: Zone 0 & Zone 1
Where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases, vapours, or liquids:
– Are likely to exist under normal operating conditions.
– Exist frequently because of maintenance and repair work or frequent equipment failure.
Class 1 / Division 2 :: Zone 0
Where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases, vapours, or liquids:
Are not likely to exist under normal operating conditions.
Are normally in closed containers where the hazard can only escape through accidental rupture or breakdown of such containers or in case of abnormal operation of equipment.
To put this into perceptive here is an image of a fuelling station outlining the
different zonings applied:
Class 1 / Division 2 :: ATEX Zone 0 – Red Zone
Class 1 / Division 1 :: ATEX Zone 1 – Orange Zone
Class 1 / Division 1 :: ATEX Zone 2 – Yellow Zone
INDUSTRIAL COMPUTING FOR CLASS 1 / DIVISION 2 AND ATEX ZONE 2
Where embedded electrical products are concerned, the requirement for harsh environment industries such as oil and gas will usually be certification to Class 1 / Division 2 and/or ATEX Zone 2. Assured Systems offer a comprehensive range of Class 1 / Division 2 and/or ATEX Zone 2 qualified products including panel PCs, embedded computers, data modules and screens. View our ranges below – If there is something you need which is not listed, please contact us and our sales technicians will help to find you a solution.
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