A top issuer of ATEX hazardous locations certifications for the European Union
UL is one of the top issuers of global ATEX and IECEx certifications. This supports acceptance of your UL-issued certificates, test reports and quality audits for local country marks around the globe. The UL brand is highly recognized and accepted by certifiers, installers and regulators in local, regional or international markets. Leverage our global brand acceptance and trust to add value to your innovations.
ATEX Certification for the European Union overview
Hazardous locations and explosion-protected equipment intended for installation in the European Union must comply with the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, replaced the former ATEX Directive 94/9/EC. The directive ensures the free movement of goods throughout the European Union (EU) by harmonizing compliance procedures. We are an accredited Notified Body and Ex Testing Laboratory for electrical and nonelectrical equipment based on the EN 60079, EN 80079 and EN 13463 series of harmonized standards. We can also help with functional safety requests. Learn about ATEX certification and area classification, including applicable HazLoc Directives, markings, and the difference between Groups and Categories.
Certification process services include:
- Ordinary Location/Safe Area Requirements – the CE mark is a self-declaration marking indicating that equipment conforms to applicable directives which vary depending on the product type. UL can assist in preparing a technical file to demonstrate compliance and declaration of conformity.
- Ex Marking Certification – products sold in the EU must be marked with the Distinctive Community Mark (Ex in a hexagon) and the CE marking in accordance with the directive. We can help you identify applicable requirements and assemble a technical file. We post EU certificates online for customer’s and inspector’s access.
- Unit Verification – the Unit Verification Service provides certification for customized equipment that is intended to be used in a potentially explosive atmosphere and for installation in the EU.
- Quality Audits – the directive requires a quality assurance process and procedure to be in place to help ensure continued compliance of Ex Certified products. UL has auditors around the world that can perform these audits.
- Repair Facility Certification – we can help facilities that intend to repair existing certified products per EN 60079-19.
What are the applicable ATEX Directives?
Organizations in the EU must follow directives to help protect employees from explosion risk in areas with an explosive atmosphere.
There are two ATEX Directives (one for the manufacturer and one for the user of the equipment):
- ATEX Directive 2014/34EU – equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
- ATEX Workplace Directive 1999/92/EC – minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres
The Directive 2014/34/EU became effective on April 20, 2016 and it affects manufacturers for the following:
- The Directive 2014/34/EU is mandatory for manufacturers as of April 20, 2016, as is stated in Article 44 of the directive for any new or revised certifications.
- The Directive requires risk analysis to be provided to the Notified Body (UL) by the manufacturer for all EU Type Examination certificates and Certificates of Conformity.
- Manufacturers must refer to the directive 2014/34/EU in their EU Declaration of Conformity.
- Importers (into EEA) should note a wide range of requirements (incl. marking) that are applicable.
Links to resources:
How are ATEX Hazardous Areas classified?
Hazardous areas are divided into Groups and Categories and further subdivided into Zones, Groups, Protection Types, and Equipment Protection Levels (EPLs).
Sample Marking:
ATEX Groups and Categories
Groups and Categories are defined in the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, as follows:
- Equipment-Group I
- Equipment-Group II
ATEX Zones
Zones are defined in the ATEX Workplace Directive 1999/92/EC, as follows:
- Gas, Vapor, or Mist
- Dust
- Group I – Zone 0 or 1
- Group II – Zone 0, 1, and 2
- Group III – Zone 20, 21, and 22
- Protection Types – Gas Atmospheres
- Protection Types – Dust Atmospheres
- Non-Electrical Protection Types
- Equipment Protection Level (EPL)
How can I view my UL DEMKO ATEX certificates online?
For your convenience, UL has recently added ATEX Certificates to our online certification directory. This database enables fast, easy and reliable access for both you and your customers.
- Visit Product iQ, the next generation of UL’s online certification directory
- Search keyword “ATEX”
- Select “link to file” based on company name
- Select applicable certificate(s)
- Download or print certificate(s)
ATEX versus IECEx
ATEX
- Jurisdiction is the European Union (EU)
- Compliance with the Directive, EHSRs (Essential Health and Safety Requirements), and EN standards is required
- Certification bodies are known as an ExNB (Ex Notified Body) qualified by the official body within their own country issuing a notification to the EU Commission
- The certificate is called EC Type Examination Certificate
- Assessment and testing process is risk-based per ATEX and EU Directives, e.g. Zone 2 can be self-declared due to lower risk
- Certificates are available from the respective ExNB
International Electrotechnical Commission Explosive (IECEx)
- Jurisdiction is all countries in the world
- Certification scheme where full compliance with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards are required
- ExCBs (Ex Certification Bodies) and ExTLs (Ex Testing Laboratories) are evaluated and qualified according to a single international process and assessed by a team of IECEx assessors
- The certificate is called a Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
- All product types require a CoC, regardless of Zone of use of product
- IECEx certificates are all available for viewing on iecex.com
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Solutions
- Hazardous Location (HazLoc) Certification for Global Market Access
- Hazardous Locations Advisory Services
- Hazardous Locations Training and Technical Education
- Functional Safety
- Wireless Device EMC Testing and Certification
- Marketing Claim Verification
- Data Acceptance Program (DAP)
- Personnel Competency for Explosive Atmospheres
- Pressure Equipment Directive Services