A recently introduced certification process is the IECEx scheme, which is a move towards truly global certification. However, acceptance in the EU will still require the equipment to comply with ATEX, and to display the ATEX marking as well as the EX marking according to the constructional standards (if these have been used to meet the ESR’s).
Where equipment is certified under the IECEx scheme the IECEx Conformity Mark as illustrated below may be displayed.
Equipment to the latest IEC standards must carry the Ex marking which now includes the EPL. Examples are:
Ex e II T5 Gb Ex d IIB T4 Gb Ex ia IIC T6 Ga
Ex de I Mb Ex ma IIIC T123°C Da Ex d [ia Ga] IIC
Equipment that is certified for gasses and for dusts, or for mining and for surface industries, must carry separate, full, marking for each.
Alternative IEC marking for EPL
IEC standards also allow alternative marking by showing the level of protection letter added to the symbol for the type of protection. For example
Ex ma IIC T4 Ex nRc IIB T3 Ex eb II T6
