ATEX Certification vs. IECEx Certification: What’s Right for My Business?
Explosions are a serious concern for many working in the process manufacturing industry. Between 2017 and 2021, there were at least 324 industrial dust explosion incidents around the globe. These accidents resulted in a six-year average of 27 injuries and 2.3 deaths worldwide. Eliminating fatal events, preventing harm, and reducing damage expenses are all essential to any good manufacturing business.
Explosion safety is a key method to making all of this possible, and one of the most important areas involved in those measures is ensuring that all equipment is properly configured. There are a few different ways to guarantee equipment security in potentially explosive work areas — one of which is through ATEX certifications or IECEx certifications. But just what are these classifications, what are their differences, and how does a company know which is best for them? Let’s break it down below.
ATEX and IECEx Explained
What is an ATEX Certification?
Before digging into what sets these two certification standards apart from one another, it’s necessary to understand what exactly they are. ATEX stands for ATmosphère EXplosible, which, as you’ve likely already guessed, is French for explosive atmosphere. Through an ATEX rating, devices and equipment utilized in explosive atmospheres are extensively regulated. They receive their certification through rigorous testing that determines their suitability for safe use. ATEX classifications are exclusive to the European Union, which mandates that these products be compliant in various “zones.” ATEX zones include rankings for environments where combustible gases or dusts are in the air constantly, intermittently, or infrequently. Under ATEX, two further directives dictate what is and isn’t allowed in atmospheres that may be explosive. These relate to the manufacture of equipment (2014/34/EU or ATEX 114) and the protection of employees who are exposed to explosive environments (1999/92/EC or ATEX 153).
What is an IECEx Certification?
IECEx certifications are another comprehensive method for guaranteeing safe equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres. When a product is rated as IECEx compliant, it is certified by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for Explosive Atmospheres. Regulations set by the IEC are considered the international standard for electrotechnology, making an IECEx classification a high level of achievement across the globe. Participating nations include the United States, Canada, most European countries, Australia, Russia, China, South Africa, and more. Each piece of compliant equipment falls into a certification scheme – the Equipment Scheme, Conformity Mark Licenses, the Services Scheme, or the Certified Persons Scheme. This ensures that every aspect of a product meets IEC standards and manufacturers around the world are able to trust it.
What’s the Difference Between an ATEX and IECEx Certification?
Functionally, the primary difference between an ATEX and IECEx certification is geography. ATEX ratings are mandated throughout the European Union in atmospheres that could become explosive, while IECEx compliance is more widely accepted around the globe. That said, ATEX certifications can be based on an IECEx test report, but usually not the other way around. In the EU, equipment will often receive both classifications. This is due to the fact that ATEX certifications are required by law in participating nations, but IECEx is a standard driven initiative. Additionally, manufacturers are responsible for acquiring ATEX ratings for their products. When it comes to IECEx certifications, the onus is instead on external parties. All of these factors work together to mean that IECEx compliance tends to be more widespread than comparable ATEX ratings.
Why Do Explosion Safety Ratings Matter?
Explosions are incredibly dangerous. A best case scenario in the event of a workplace explosion is property damage, which is both expensive and inconvenient. Oftentimes, however, a workplace accident like this results in injury or death – an insurmountable loss. This is why it is essential that any manufacturer working with potentially explosive atmospheres ensure the safety of their people. From processing plants and food manufacturers to pharmaceutical factories and oil refineries, explosions can happen anywhere. At PA Solutions, our team of expert engineers are specially certified to assist manufacturing businesses maintain full explosion safety compliance. Contact us today for a full review of your current setup, expert recommendations, and much more. We’ll work together to make sure your team is safe from harm.
