ATEX Testing & Certification

ATEX - Ensuring products are safe to use in explosive environments

ATEX is an EU directive that improves and maintains health and safety in situations where there is the potential for explosions. Products must be designed and manufactured specifically for use in these environments.

Why BSI?
BSI has the knowledge and expertise to test equipment to ATEX Directive 94/9/EC. As a notified body, we are trusted all over the world to ensure that products and devices meet the requirements the ATEX directive.

Equipment used extreme environments like these must perform safely. For example:

• Equipment and protective systems for use within potentially explosive atmospheres
• Devices for use outside potentially explosive atmospheres, but which are required for, or contribute to the safe functioning of equipment and protective systems located inside such atmospheres and components relating to the above.

The products and devices we can test
There are many products and devices covered by the ATEX Directive. BSI can test the most common ones such as control equipment and sensors, transformers, fans, pumps, compressors, fork lift trucks, and lighting.

Compliance with ATEX is not optional
If you are a manufacturer, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your products will not cause an explosion during routine operation. Demonstrating compliance with the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC will provide assurance of product safety.

To sell these products in the EU it is mandatory for them to bear both the Distinctive Community Mark  and CE marking. ATEX is often specified in contracts for countries outside of Europe.

What to do now
If you would like to have your products and devices tested to meet the requirements of the ATEX Directive by one of the most widely respected organizations in the world, talk to us today. Our consultants are ready to answer your questions.

Call: 08450 765606

Benefits of BSI as your Notified Body for ATEX

• Experience - BSI is one of the world’s most respected and comprehensive Notified Bodies with unrivalled expertise and experience in helping its customers through these often complex processes.
• Accessible & ready – our dedicated ATEX team are ready and waiting to help you comply with this complex Directive
• Speed to market – our specialist expertise means that BSI can deliver one of the fastest speed-to-market services available giving you the advantage and head start over your competitors.
• Access to markets - as a global organisation, BSI can help you gain access to markets and business streams around the world through its network of over 50 global offices and 120 international markets.
• Reputation and respect – certification and assurance provided  by a respected, independent, third-party, Notified Body that a product or service conforms to the requirements of the Directive.
• Credibility - BSI in partnership with the TRaC testing facility - is a highly regarded and authorative combination that lends credibility to any report in addition to having UKAS accreditation.
• IECEx accreditation – BSI's testing partner TRaC is accredited under the IECEx Scheme, which allows manufacturers to obtain Certificates of Conformity accepted at national level by all participating countries.  By using this service manufacturers can reduce costs and save time to market.

Why do I need ATEX certification?

• If you manufacture a product that is to be used in a potentially explosive environment and you want to sell it in the European union then you will need to apply the CE and Ex mark to it.
• Manufacturers who apply achieve and affix the CE marking and the Ex marking are able to sell their equipment anywhere within the European union without any further requirements being applied with respect to the risks covered being applied.
• The Directive generally covers products such as machines, apparatus, fixed or mobile devices, control components and instrumentation, detection or prevention systems intended for the generation, transfer, storage, measurement, control and conversion of energy and/or the processing of material and which are capable of causing an explosion through their own potential sources of ignition.
• The regulations apply to all equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres, whether electrical or mechanical, including protective systems and there are two categories of equipment (I) for coal mining and (II) for industrial applications.

What is involved?

• Gap analysis; if you need our help at the outset, we can advise on any areas that may need attention.
• Pre-Assessment; If you wish to be reassured that you are ready for full assessment
• Type testing; of the product design against the standard specification involving actual examination of a sample as well as performance in tests. The results are recorded in a report.
• Technical support during the certification process by some of the best trained and most competent staff available.
• Dedicated team always available by email or telephone.
• Technical file storage facility; this is the dossier that contains all the evidence to substantiate your conformity claims such as certificates, reports, manufacturer’s drawings. Even for lower categories of products BSI can still help create a technical file and issue a voluntary certificate.
• Technical advice; on interpretation and requirements of standards and Directives
• Timescale and project management
• Product certification

Find out more about CE marking for ATEX equipment contact a BSI advisor now.

The process:

• A client enquiry initiates BSI to discuss client needs and the requirements of the Directive
• Application form completed
• Quote is prepared based on the earlier discussions
• The client signs and returns the quote if happy with the content
• Clients send all relevant paperwork to BSI and the sample products would be sent to our partnership testing lab – TRaC.
• Testing is completed by lab and test reports forwarded to BSI. If necessary we conduct a visit as well
• A certificate decision sought after an assessment appraisal and finalised report by Risk & Compliance Department.
• The client is then required to mark his products with the appropriate information  - the Ex mark plus various codes which indicate the categories and temperature codes.