Technical Update - Global Hazardous Area Product Certification
What is global hazardous area product certification?
In short, it doesn't exist as a single step.
Around the world, there are three main product certification schemes IECEx, ATEX, and a scheme based around the NEC (National Electrical Code) mainly used in the USA.
Individual countries either align directly with one of the schemes e.g. Germany with ATEX or have a separate approval which uses the testing and conformity assessments from one of the main schemes as a basis for local approval e.g. Brazil where IECEx test reports can be used as a base to gain INmetro approval.
Generally speaking, you can summarise the process across all of the schemes for product certification in hazardous areas as per below:
- Obtain a design certificate from an authorised body
- Have the manufacturing quantity system assessed
- Check for compliance with other national legislation - Notably, electrical and mechanical safety
- Labelling, marking and product documentation
Why is this important?
As always, the devil is in the detail. Each of the schemes have their own product standards, bodies, test houses and routes to conformity. Navigating this complexity can be a real challenge.
See below table as an example:
|
IECEx |
ATEX |
North America |
|
|
Certification Body |
ExCB (Ex Certification Body) |
ExNB (Ex Notified Body) |
NRTL (National Recognised Test Laboratory) |
|
Test House |
ExTL (Ex Test Laboratory) |
- |
NRTL (National Recognised Test Laboratory) |
|
Design certificate |
CofC (Certificate of Conformity) |
EU Type Examination |
CofC (Certificate of Conformity) |
|
Quality certificate |
QAR (Quality Assurance Report) |
QAN (Quality Assurance Notification) |
IFE (Initial Factory Inspection) |
|
Example Product Standard |
IEC 60097-1 |
EN 60079-1 |
UL1203 |
For many product manufactures, this complexity deters entry into the hazardous area market limiting sales and reducing return on investment.
Expo Technologies - the value of an expert partner
For 70 years, Expo Technologies has been working in hazardous areas, developing expertise across a wide range of hazardous area protection methods, and global certification schemes. By partnering with Expo Technologies, we can support your product with a combination of cutting-edge, innovative products, and expertise to open up global product certification for hazardous areas.
Our latest product The SmartPurge Z exemplifies this expertise, with hazardous area certification for ATEX, IECEx, NEC, CEC, CCC, INMETRO, UKEX, PESO, and KCs, making access to almost every major market a reality.
Looking to simplify hazardous area certification for your product?
Partner with Expo Technologies and access decades of expertise in protection solutions and global certification.