Ex-protection: what changes has ATEX caused?

Since 1 July 2003, only goods that comply with the new 94/9/EG (ATEX) directive, and the other relevant standards, can be marketed for potentially explosive areas. This has brought about a variety of changes for producers and customers.

>> The aim of the new directive is to ensure the free movement of these products within the European Union. Taking the differing international conditions into account has led to numerous amendments, the most important of which are described below.

Clear delineation of responsibility

The allocation of products to categories is new. This has clearly separated the sphere of responsibility of the customer (whose application must be assigned to a zone) and that of the device producer (whose product must meet the requirements of the particular category). Customers define their potentially explosive area (e.g. Zone 1) and then select a device from the corresponding category (2G in this case).

Customer must be more specific about "dust"

Customers will be particularly surprised about the effect of the new directive regarding "dust". After a detailed examination, some applications will now have to be assigned to Zone 22. For customers, this means that the standard devices used up to now may no longer be employed. Furthermore, in Zone 22 it is necessary to determine whether the application involves conductive dust (e.g. metallic dust: Category 2D devices required) or non-conductive dust (e.g. grain: Category 3D devices required).

Regular Exi-audits in production areas

In addition to the EU type examination certificate for devices, certification of the "Production" quality assurance system is now necessary for the production of Category 1 and 2 devices as a supplement to ISO 9001. For customers this guarantees consistently high product quality, and continuous back-tracing of products from the customer, through production and back to the suppliers.

For former details on ATEX click here

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