Must all Ex equipment be ATEX certified?
While all Ex equipment must have documentation confirming its suitability for use in hazardous areas, not all such documentation takes the form of a certificate. It’s important to understand when a certificate is necessary and which other documents can attest to an Ex device’s compliance.
The question, “Does all Ex equipment need to be ATEX certified?” might seem straightforward, but in practice, it’s more complex. This is evident from a recent LinkedIn survey by Bartosz Wolff, CEO of HARDO, where 85% of respondents answered incorrectly (!).
Before diving into the specifics of ATEX certification, it’s crucial to highlight an important legal requirement: manufacturers are only obligated to provide two documents to the buyer of explosion-proof equipment:
- the device’s instruction manual
- declaration of conformity
Now, let’s address the issue of ATEX certification. While it’s true that Ex equipment must have a document confirming its suitability for hazardous areas, this document is not always a certificate.
What is a certificate in equipment conformity assessment?
A certificate in this context is a document that confirms a successful conformity assessment conducted with the involvement of a notified body. Essentially, the issuance of a certificate certifying a device’s compliance with relevant directives — such as the ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU) — requires the participation of a notified body.
The ATEX Directive categorizes Ex equipment into two groups:
- Equipment requiring a notified body’s participation in the conformity assessment process.
- Equipment not requiring a notified body’s participation (the manufacturer or an authorized entity conducts the assessment, with notified body involvement being optional).
Ex equipment requiring a Notified Body’s confirmation
For explosion-proof equipment that requires a notified body’s involvement, the conformity assessment process culminates in the issuance of a type-examination certificate. This document is informally referred to as the ATEX certificate, and we’ll use both terms interchangeably throughout this article.
Type examination certificate (formally) = ATEX certificate (informal)
It’s worth noting that manufacturers are not required to provide the ATEX certificate to the buyer. So, how can a buyer determine if a device is suitable for use in a specific explosion hazard zone?
This is where the declaration of conformity becomes crucial. As mentioned earlier, this is one of the two mandatory documents that the manufacturer must issue. The declaration of conformity must include the ATEX certificate number and the device’s explosion-proof marking. This marking is a string of characters that provides essential information, such as:
- The explosion hazard conditions under which the device can be safely used (including the type of explosion hazard zone, maximum surface temperature, and the explosion group of substances the device is suitable for).
- The protective measures applied to the device (e.g., “e” for reinforced housing; “t” for dust ignition protection by enclosure) to ensure the required level of protection.
On the following nameplate of the OptiLine luminaire, we have highlighted the explosion-proof feature and ATEX certification numbers (separately for dust and gas zones):
- explosion-proof feature
- ATEX certification numbers
If you’d like to learn more about selecting the right device for hazardous areas, be sure to check out our article on how to properly select a device for a hazardous area.
Ex equipment not requiring a Notified Body’s confirmation
What about explosion-proof equipment where the conformity assessment is carried out by the manufacturer or an authorized entity without a notified body’s involvement?
In such cases, no type-examination certificate is issued, and the only document confirming a successful conformity assessment—and thus the device’s suitability for hazardous areas—is the declaration of conformity. However, as discussed earlier, this document cannot be referred to as an ATEX certificate.
Declaration of conformity ≠ ATEX certificate
In this case the explosion-proof feature will appear in the declaration, but for obvious reasons the certificate number will not appear.In these instances, the explosion-proof marking will be present in the declaration, but the certificate number will not be.
For a visual reference, you can view a properly drafted declaration of conformity and ATEX certificate on one of our luminaire product pages (available in the “download” section).
When is an ATEX certificate required?
The table below outlines which types of explosion-proof equipment require a notified body’s involvement in the conformity assessment process, and therefore an ATEX certificate. The division is made from the perspective of the customer selecting equipment for a specific explosive zone. The explosion-proof marking reflects the device category, which is listed in parentheses.
| Type of device | Explosion hazard zone, for which the equipment is intended | ||
| 0/20 (equipment category 1) | 1/21 (equipment category 2) | 2/22 (equipment category 3) | |
| Electrical | ✔ | ✔ | ⛌ |
| Non-electric | ✔ | ⛌ | ⛌ |
| Internal combustion engines | ✔ | ✔ | ⛌ |
Special conditions: when ATEX certification requirement makes sense
As mentioned earlier, according to the ATEX Directive, manufacturers must provide the instruction manual and declaration of conformity with Ex equipment. The declaration of conformity is the primary document to review when verifying that a device meets the safety requirements for use in explosive atmospheres. For a deeper understanding of the explosion-proof marking and selecting Ex equipment, check out our post on ATEX marking.
However, are there situations where it’s worth requesting an ATEX certificate from the manufacturer? Yes, there are. The scope of use for Ex equipment can be limited by specific conditions for safe use.
If an ATEX certificate has been issued for a device, a signal that these conditions apply is the presence of an “X” at the end of the certificate number. For example, the OptiLine luminaire, designed for hazardous areas, has this notation, which signifies that certain conditions apply. The full type-examination certificate can be found on the device’s website.
One such condition is that the device contains external non-metallic parts. Therefore, users must ensure the device is not installed where it may be exposed to conditions that could cause static electricity to build up on non-conductive surfaces. Additionally, the equipment should be cleaned with a damp cloth.
In theory, these conditions should be included in the equipment manual, but in practice, they are sometimes omitted or mistranslated. Providing the ATEX certificate in such cases serves as proof that the manufacturer has nothing to hide.
But what about equipment without an issued certificate? In such cases, there will be no certificate number or “X” symbol in the declaration. In these instances, you’ll have to rely on the manufacturer’s integrity to include special conditions for safe use in the instruction manual.
Navigating the conformity maze
Understanding when ATEX certification is required is like knowing which keys unlock specific doors in a complex building—essential for ensuring safety in hazardous environments. On the other hand, missing these details could lead to significant risks. If you’re unsure about your equipment’s compliance, consult our experts for tailored guidance.