Source IEC Forum

Welcome to the discussion section on the ATEX Directives.  Yes, there are two ATEX Directives, one for product use and installation and the other for worker safety.  Many folks out there seem to think that the ATEX Directive is actually a set of standards and use the term, “ATEX standards” when describing a product that is built to the ATEX Directive.  The directive does not reference any particular standards per se, but references “relevant standards” of which CENELEC is responsible for the creation and updating of relevant standards with regards to hazardous location equipment.  One positive thing that has transpired is the agreement between CENELEC and the IEC to work on relevant standards concurrently, and at last count, most of the relevant standards for hazardous location EX equipment have been harmonized between the IEC and CENELEC.  What this means from a manufacturers standpoint is that designing a product now and having to chose to meet the relevant IEC or CENELEC standard is now not necessary, as the standards have harmonized.  This certainly bodes well for the user as now in the selection of products that are suitable for hazardous areas has now expanded primarily with products from outside the EU.  This does not mean necessarily that it can be used in an area that requires compliance to the ATEX Directive, but is certainly a first step.  This also will now allow manufacturers that have compliance to the ATEX Directive, an easier path to obtaining IECEx approvals which will be discussed in the IECEx forum.  What are your thoughts?  Is compliance to the ATEX Directive a fairly simple process now that it has become manditory in Europe since 2003?