ATEX Certification for Explosion Protection

WHAT IS ATEX?

The ATEX Directive applies to organisations operating within the European Union, with the objective to protect workers and equipment from explosion risk in an explosive atmosphere. “ATEX” is an abbreviation for the French “Atmospheres Explosibles”.

In many workplaces there may be gases, dusts or vapours in the air. If these materials ignite, an explosion can occur, causing damage and injury to both workers and equipment. Industrial activities such as spraying paint on vehicles, chemical manufacturing, wood sawing or grain flour processing are some of the working environments where explosions could occur. ATEX aims to prevent or minimise explosions in these environments.

The ATEX Directives address product safety related to machines or equipment intended for use in explosive environments, as well as process safety related to the workplace:

• Equipment and protective systems: ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU
• Workplace: ATEX Directive 1999/92/EC

Why is the ATEX Certification important?

The ATEX regulations are framed within the laws of the European Union. If your manufacturing facilities are located within the EU or if you sell equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres within this territory, you must obtain the ATEX certification.

These are some of the benefits of ATEX compliance:

• Access to the EU market: Complying with the law is mandatory, so being certified means you can sell and produce goods within the European Union.
• Improved safety: Plants that operate in conformance with ATEX can mitigate risk for people and equipment and avoid liabilities.
• Enhanced stakeholder trust: ATEX compliance validated by an independent notified body will demonstrate focus on safety throughout the value chain.

Our ATEX services

The ATEX certification is important both for equipment manufacturers and for operators in workplaces involving potentially explosive substances. At TÜV SÜD we offer solutions for both groups.

Services for equipment manufacturers - ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU

The production of industrial equipment and machinery for use in explosive and hazardous environments within the European Union must comply with ATEX regulations as a part of the mandatory the CE marking. Our expert teams work with you to ensure that your products are compliant and can reach your customers quickly and efficiently.

We can conduct assessments in our ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, which offers a full range of explosion protection testing and certification services.

ATEX services for manufacturers include:

• Auditing of QM systems for manufacturers of ex equipment
• Ignition source analysis
• Certification of assemblies according to directive 2014/34/EU
• Laboratories

Services for planT operators - ATEX “Workplace” Directive 1999/92/EC

We offer a complete service for factories, plants and workplaces where potentially explosive gases, dusts and liquids are present in the atmosphere. We help assess the risks and provide workplace segregation through ATEX zones to control or eliminate potential hazards. Our consultants comply with the ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system, so you can rely on us for neutral and objective assessment.

ATEX services for operators include:

• Define ATEX zones in the workplace
• Complete an explosion protection document (EPD)
• Produce certification of equipment and assemblies
• Conduct ignition source analysis (including electrostatics)
• Determine safety data - for both operating companies and manufacturing companies
• Explosion protection concepts and EPD
• Definition of zoning (ATEX, NFPA)
• Determination of safety data
• Design of venting systems
• Assessment of old equipment - assessment of equipment placed on the market before July 2003

Why choose TÜV SÜD for ATEX compliance VALIDATION?

For over 40 years, TÜV SÜD has been providing manufacturers and equipment providers with high quality services in the areas of risk analysis, thermal process safety, explosion prevention and protection, electrostatic risk prevention and product safety for the process industry.

Our teams of experts have years of experience assessing products and environments against the ATEX directives across Europe. If you would like to know more about our ATEX services or other explosion protection certifications, please do not hesitate to contact our experts.