Safety compliance for industrial equipment manufacturers and plant operators
Safety compliance for industrial equipment manufacturers and plant operators
Combustible dusts and flammable gases, mists or vapours can contribute to potentially explosive atmospheres. Examples include industries such as oil and gas, pharma, chemical, hydrogen applications, flammable cooling agents, mining, wood processing and food. To ensure the health and safety of workers, both equipment manufacturers and plant operators must be familiar with safety requirements and take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with relevant standards.
Manufacturers of explosion proof equipment as well as desginers and operators of industrial plants in hazardous environments are faced with strict safety requirements. The application of these requirements depends on multiple factors and can vary between regions due to different national regulations. Hence, a broad understanding of the regulatory landscape is needed to ensure compliant products and safe business operations. Furthermore, conformance to the requirements often demand third-party testing, inspection (TIC) and certification based on all relevant standards and certification schemes.
Manufacturers, importers, or traders seeking to bring their explosion proof equipment to the global market face challenges in managing compliance with local regulations. Manufacturers need to be aware of the regulations for each country or region they want to access. Some countries and jurisdictions impose specific technical restrictions such as certification and shipment inspection requirements. In addition, the complex regulatory framework in some countries is constantly being updated and expanded. Global market access (GMA) is the process of determining applicable regulations and managing product compliance to those regulations with respect to accessing global markets. Customs officials may impound or deny access to non-compliant products, exposing manufacturers to potential legal consequences.
To meet the needs of companies that manufacture equipment for or operate plants in industries related to explosive atmospheres, TÜV SÜD provides an extensive portfolio of testing, inspection and certification services. With experts and testing laboratories around the world, we help you ensure market access, maintain safety and create customer trust.
Conformance with regional safety standards is a prerequisite for international trade and market access. Requirements apply to explosion-proof equipment and systems including safety, control and regulating devices, and protective systems. Our experts can support throughout the design, construction and installation of your explosion-proof equipment, and systems. Key standards for adoption in major world markets include ATEX (EU); IECEx (global) and NRTL (North America). Further relevant certification schemes include UKEX, China CCC Ex, Korean KCs mark, Japan Ex, Taiwan Ex, INMETRO Brazil, ANZEx (Australia) and UAE Assessment Scheme (ECAS). Learn more about our services for Ex equipment:
ATEX is the abbreviated designation of the European Directive 2014/34/EU for the distribution of explosion-proof electrical and mechanical equipment, components and protective systems. Equipment in compliance with ATEX regulations must be labelled with the CE symbol. As an ATEX Notified Body, we provide complete solutions for all ATEX equipment categories, assessment and validation of conformance for all relevant products, classification of products according to the relevant requirements, support to gain EU-Type Examination Certificates (Annex III, Annex IX), documentation and localization of safety procedures for explosion-proof classification and training courses
IECEx is a worldwide scheme to ensure explosion proof equipment and systems are safe for use in countries that participate in the IECEx system. To be validated against the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme, manufacturers need to obtain the Certificate of Conformity (CoC), validation of the technical report (ExTR) and the quality assurance report (QAR). As an IECEx Notified Body, we offer a wide range of IECEx services including offsite and site assessment and compliance with IEC Standards, test and evaluation reports (ExTR), audits of manufacturers' facilities and quality system, including ISO 9001 assessment and an additional audit according to ISO/IEC 80079-34 Edition 1., continuous surveillance audits of your facilities and quality management system.
Hazardous Locations (HazLoc) describes the certifications for the NA market and is relevant for equipment that is intended for use in a hazardous location which is classified (or zoned) by the likelihood of an ignitable concentration of combustible material. All hazardous location equipment must be certified by a third party Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) certification body, such as TÜV SÜD. Our HazLoc services include advisory to help identify and manage potential risks, testing and certification for hazardous locations, and technical training for plant operators.
UKEX - UKCA marking (UK Conformity Assessed marking) is the UK product marking requirement that will be needed for all Ex products being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), substituting the EU requirements for CE Marking (CE marking will continue to be accepted in Northern Ireland). UKCA ‘Ex’ (UKEX) approval came into force on January 1, 2021 with a transitional period lasting up until January 1, 2025.
National approvals: There are other certifications relevant for different countries, including but not limited to CCC Ex (China), Korean KCs mark, Japan Ex, Taiwan Ex, INMETRO (Brazil), TR-CU (Russia, Customs-Union), ANZEx (Australia) and UAE Assessment Scheme (ECAS).
In sectors that handle hazardous substances, such as flammable liquids, gases, mists or combustible dusts, effective measures must be taken to manage the risk of explosion so that employees and facilities can be safely protected. Compliance to regional standards and legislation is mostly required to avoid liabilities. As an example, any industrial plant that falls into the Ex category and operates within the EU needs to demonstrate conformance to the individual national regulations based on Directive 1999/92/EG. Within our plant and process safety services we offer risk analysis, thermal process safety, as well as explosion protection and prevention services.
ATEX Certification - the ATEX Directives govern how equipment and workplaces in explosive environments must be managed. If your production processes involve flammable liquids, gases, aerosols or combustible dust, you will have to become ATEX certified. We offer a full service for factories, plants and workshops where potentially explosive gases, dusts and liquids are present in the atmosphere. We help you assess the risks and separate out your workplace using ATEX zones to control or eliminate risks. Our consultants conform to the ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system, so you can trust us for neutral and objective guidance.
At TÜV SÜD we provide expert services in the field of process safety and explosion prevention, and are specialised within the fields of risk analysis, ATEX and thermal process safety. We carefully align our services with your specific situation and work closely with you to identify the right solution. You receive a package of services tailored to your needs to guarantee the best possible services for your business.
Backed by a century of industry partnerships and projects, TÜV SÜD serves as a one-stop facilitator for the safe implementation of explosion protection equipment and systems. Our values make us stand out through our vast experience and in-depth knowledge of our experts. We can bring the following value to your business:
Global network: Our network of explosion protection experts covers all key markets worldwide, thereby providing local expertise with a global reach. With our modern testing facilities and in-depth knowledge on industrial equipment and regulatory requirements, TÜV SÜD works with customers worldwide to ensure product safety and market access.
Leading regulatory experts: TÜV SÜD’s testing experts actively participate in international advisory bodies and standardisation committees to ensure that our assessment criteria are based on the latest findings. In addition, our internal quality systems and comprehensive advanced training measures guarantee that our experts always apply the most current knowledge and insights.
Holistic approach: To ensure consistently high service, we assign a dedicated contact person to project manage all your testing and certification requirements. Our holistic approach achieves the shortest lead times in the industry to save you money at the testing stage and give your business the competitive edge
Globally recognised: TÜV SÜD is a widely recognised brand with a reputation for quality and safety that has been developed over many years.
Ensure market acceptance - reduce time to market via a neutral, one-stop service provider that can combine multiple tests and audits.
Mitigate risk and liabilities – comply with international regulations to protects workers and equipment.
Create trust – validate product and process safety compliance and demonstrate your commitment to reliable products and stable operations.
Learn about the technical requirements of the ATEX Directive and the IECEx Scheme.
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