Reasons For Product Certification #
The Reason for Product Certification Include:
- Demonstrate product quality with regard to the ability of the equipment to function safely in a hazardous environment.
- Enhance market acceptability by inspiring confidence in those involved in the selection, purchase, installation, operation and maintenance of approved/certified products.
- Improve quality and safety control.
Certification Process #
Within Europe, EU directives are concerned with the removal of technical barriers to trade. They outline essential technical and safety requirements with which products must comply.
Any product sold in the EU must meet the requirements of any EU directive relevant to that product, and will carry the CE mark.
For equipment and systems for use in hazardous areas, the ATEX Directives become mandatory within Europe from 30th June 2003.
All equipment and protective systems for use in potentially explosive atmospheres marketed in the EU have to be manufactured in compliance with the product directive (ATEX 95).
Products must satisfy the Essential Safety Requirements (ESR’s) specified in the annexes of the directive, with regard to the inherent risks associated with the product, for the protection of the public. After a successful Conformity Assessment, the product will display the CE mark, provided that it complies with any other applicable directives (Low Voltage Directives etc), as well as ATEX.
Conformity Assessment involves a series of basic modules which give the manufacturer routed through which he may have his product verified for compliance. Depending on the type and category of the product, these modules will have the involvement of a Notified body to a greater or lesser extent.
In order that the CE mark can be applied, the product must comply with the requirements of all relevant EU directives
Certification Authority Marks #
Below are some examples of certification authority marks.
Equipment complying with the ATEX Directive carries, in addition to the “CE” mark, the hexagon with Ex inscribed within symbol (see no.4 below).
Certification Numbers appear on the equipment nameplate, as shown below:
EC – Type Examination Certificates (ATEX) are of the form
- ITS 04 ATEX 2278
- SIRA 09 ATEX 3176 U
- Baseefa 04 ATEX 0273 X
Notified Body – Year of Certification – ATEX – Certification Number – Suffix
If there is a suffix, the meaning is:
U – Component certification only, not equipment
The equipment is only certified as a component for use in an Ex assembly.
The complete assembly must be further certified as a whole.
X – Special conditions of use apply
Consult the actual certificate to find out the conditions, and check that they have been complied with.
