ATEX 95 - Conformity assessment

As a notified body we accompany the manufacturers of explosion proof devices through the conformity assessment, as they are established in the directive RL 94/9/EG, better known under the abbreviation “ATEX 95”.

Explosion proof devices are pieces of equipment that are used in environments, which are prone to explosions as a result of gas, steam, fog or combustible dusts. The assessment of the conformity within the range of the ATEX directive includes both the development process as well as the production phase in equal measure.
By the same token this is also true for safety systems and for the so-called “equipment”. Safety systems in the sense of ATEX 95 have the task of "limiting” the effect of an explosion that has already started running “to a tolerable level". Equipment contributes to the safe operation of an explosion proof device or to a safety system, by taking over certain monitoring tasks but the equipment itself is installed in a safe area.

We examine and certify all electronic and non-electronic equipment for which due to its intended use an EC-type examination is to be performed in compliance with annex III. Our core competence spans all types of explosion ignition protections, such as

• Intrinsic safety explosion “ia”, “ib”, “ic”
• Pressurized apparatus explosion “pX”, “pY”, “pZ”
• Pressure resistant encapsulation explosion "d"
• Increased safety explosion “e”
• Encapsulation explosion “mA” and “mB”
• Powder filling explosion “q”
• Oil filling explosion “o”

We issue the EC type-examination certificate following successful conclusion of the testing.
In addition we examine and certify non-electric devices of device category 1, for which an EC type examination in the types of explosive protection is mandatory along the same lines.

• Constructive safety explosion “c”
• Ignition source surveillance explosion “b”
• Fume safety explosion “fr”
• among others

The ATEX directive provides a quality assurance system for the production phase in compliance with annex IV – for the production or in compliance with annex VII – for the device, for devices, equipment and safety systems, which are subject to an EC type examination. This is a matter of “product specific” quality management systems, which have to ensure that the device manufactured satisfies the “fundamental health and safety requirements” as precisely as the certified prototype.

We appraise and certify these quality assurance systems and issue a "Notice about the recognition of the quality assurance production/product". As a general rule we apply the standard.