ATEX Certification for Equipment in Explosive Atmospheres

The ATEX directive 2014/34/EU sets the essential health and safety requirements for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. It has applied since 20 April 2016, replacing the earlier directive 94/9/EC. Equipment that complies is CE marked and carries the Ex marking, which is required to place it lawfully on the EU market.

ATEX equipment is divided into three categories by the level of protection, matching the probability of an explosive atmosphere.

• Category 1 - very high protection, for Zone 0 (gas) and Zone 20 (dust) where explosive atmospheres are present continuously
• Category 2 - high protection, for Zone 1 and Zone 21 where explosive atmospheres are likely in normal operation
• Category 3 - normal protection, for Zone 2 and Zone 22 where explosive atmospheres are unlikely and only short-lived

Choosing the wrong category is the most common compliance failure. Part of our conformity assessment is confirming the intended zone of use so the classification and marking match the application.

For Category 1 and most Category 2 products, a notified body must be involved in the conformity assessment. Eurocert manages the complete assessment on your behalf - preparation of the technical file, testing coordination, EU-type examination procedures and the notified body dossier - so the route ends cleanly with a CE declaration of conformity (DoC), the EU-type examination certificate, the Ex nameplate and the notified body identification number.

The technical file you keep must include the design and drawings, the test evidence, the risk assessment for ignition sources, and the quality documentation. Explosion-protection testing covers ignition source assessment, temperature classification, enclosure integrity and similar specific checks.

ATEX certification cost depends on the product type, protection concept, test scope and category. Typical projects range from a few thousand euros for Category 3 self-certification support to substantially more for Category 1 projects involving full EU-type examination and testing. Lead time is commonly four to twelve weeks once the technical file is complete.

ATEX is the EU legal regime. IECEx is the international voluntary certification scheme for explosive atmospheres equipment recognised in many markets, including Australia, the Middle East, Russia and parts of Asia. Manufacturer who export to both the EU and other markets often hold ATEX and IECEx certification in parallel because the underlying product and test requirements are closely aligned.

Ex equipment almost always needs more than ATEX. Motors and drives may also fall under the machinery directive, and electrical enclosures under LVD and EMC requirements, while pumps and vessels may be in scope of the pressure equipment directive. Eurocert coordinates the full CE marking stack for the same product, so you avoid duplicate testing and missed modules: machinery, LVD / EMC, PED, TPED (pi mark), RoHS, REACH, and lifts.