Asia-Pacific

For hazardous locations in Asia-Pacific markets, in general, compliance with either Division requirements or IEC-based Zone requirements is required. The UL Mark can be used as a means to assist in demonstrating this compliance. For further assistance with Asia-Pacific certification issues, UL has local divisions located in Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan. Click here for further details on these UL locations.

Australia

For hazardous locations in Australian markets, the IECEx Scheme provides direct access. As a means to further facilitate this process, UL can work with local Australian HazLoc testing and certification agencies to obtain any further approvals that may be desired. UL's staff located in the Asia-Pacific region (see above) are also available to assist you with issues pertaining to the Australian marketplace.

China

In an effort to provide further HazLoc services within China, UL has established a relationship with the China National Quality Supervision and Test Center for Explosion Protected Electrical Products (CQST), located in Nanyang, Henan. CQST is the only national ministry-level certification body for HazLoc equipment within China, and provides the following services:

• Certification of explosion-protected equipment, which includes examination and testing of the unit
• Inspection and certification of performance testing and quality assurance systems for explosion-protected equipment
• Research and development on the testing method and special test equipment for explosion-protected equipment

CQST is a part of the China Nanyang Explosion Protected Electrical Apparatus Research Institute (CNEx). CNEx is a professional institute in the field of explosion protection. CQST is also an affiliate of the China State Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision (CSBQTS). In April 2000, CSBQTS and SAIQ merged, with the new name for the combined organization after this merger being the State General Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). AQSIQ is the government agency in charge of the inspection and certification industry.

Regarding basic testing requirements, in general, they are in accordance with the applicable IEC Zone standards, with some national deviations.

Japan

Regarding the Japanese HazLoc market, both UL International Demko A/S and UL Northbrook (USA) maintain Designated Foreign Testing Body accreditation by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). This accreditation allows hazardous locations testing conducted by UL Demko and UL Northbrook to be fully accepted by the Technology Institution of Industrial Safety (TIIS) as the basis for Japanese national certification.

TIIS is the sole national authority designated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for certification of electrical apparatus for use in potentially explosive atmospheres of surface industries within Japan. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) is a combination of the Ministry of Labour (MoL) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) that resulted from reorganization within the Japanese government at the beginning of 2001.

Regarding applicable testing and certification requirements, they are either in accordance with the JIS C 0930 series of standards (the traditional Japanese standards for explosion-protected electrical apparatus), or are in accordance with the IEC 60079 series of standards. According to either the existing JIS C0930 series, or the IEC 60079 series, the TIIS Code of certification (Ex marking requirements) can be summarized as follows:

• Protection methods:
  d = flameproof (same concept as in IEC 60079-1, 1990)
  e = increased safety (same concept as in IEC 60079-7, 1990)
  i = intrinsic safety (same concept as in IEC 60079-11, 1991)
  o = oil immersion (same concept as in IEC 60079-6, 1968)
  p = pressurization (same concept as in IEC 60079-2, 1983)
  Note: The protection methods 'm,' 'q' and 'n' have not yet been adopted by the MHLW, and therefore are not available as a certification option through TIIS.
• Explosion grades (gas groups in IEC):
  1 = propane (same as IIA in IEC)
  2 = ethylene (same as IIB in IEC)
  3a = hydrogen (same as IIB + H2 in IEC)
  3b = carbon disulfide (IIB + CS2 in IEC)
  3c = acetylene (IIB + C2H2 in IEC)
  3n = all the gases in grade 3 (same as IIC in IEC)
• Ignition categories (Temperature codes in IEC):
  G1 = 450°C (same as T1 in IEC) × 0.8 - 40°C = 320°C rise
  G2 = 300°C (same as T2 in IEC) × 0.8 - 40°C = 200°C rise
  G3 = 200°C (same as T3 in IEC) × 0.8 - 40°C = 120°C rise
  G4 = 135°C (same as T4 in IEC) × 0.8 - 40°C = 68°C rise
  G5 = 100°C (same as T5 in IEC) × 0.8 - 40°C = 40°C rise
  G6 = 85°C (same as T6 in IEC) × 0.8 - 40°C = 28°C rise

The following are two examples of Japanese Ex marking requirements, and how they relate to IEC Ex marking requirements: