ATEX Certification

KSC Can Issue ATEX Certificates

How Can KSC Help Manufacturers Get their Products to European Markets?

Manufacturers of products to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres (Ex) in Europe must provide assurance that their products will not cause an explosion when operational. Given its experience and expertise, KSC can help manufacturers achieve the appropriate ATEX certification necessary to achieve such assurance on an ongoing basis. KSC can help manufacturers get their Ex products to market quickly.

What is ATEX?

The acronym “ATEX” was created from the French words, “ATmosphères EXplosibles”, referencing potentially explosive (“Ex”) atmospheres.

The goal of ATEX is to provide a single, harmonized compliance procedure endorsed by all EU countries, thus eliminating the need for differing national standards. In this way, ATEX facilitates the free movement of Ex products within the EU.

What is Directive 2014/34/EU?

ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU clarifies the unique compliance requirements related to Ex products installed in hazardous locations in Europe. Manufacturers wanting their Ex products to be sold in Europe must comply with this Directive in order to provide assurance that their products will not cause an explosion.

What is involved in ATEX Product Certification?

There are a number of ATEX certifications, each of which applies to certain product categories and types.  The conformity requirements for ATEX certification are organized into Modules as follows:

ATEX PRODUCT assessment

ATEX QAN  assessment

Module B - EU-Type Examination: In this conformity assessment procedure a notified body undertakes the necessary evaluation to determine that the "type" meets the essential requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU and issues an EU-type examination certificate.

EU-type examination is always followed by other modules by which the conformity of the products to the approved EU-type is demonstrated.

Module G - Conformity based on unit verification: In this conformity assessment procedure, the principle is that all products are fully assessed and tested by a notified body. In fact, the notified body examines individual product and carries out tests as defined in the harmonised standards, if they exist, or otherwise in European, international or national standards, or conduct equivalent tests to ensure conformity with the relevant requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU, and draws up a certificate of conformity for tested product.

Module F - Conformity to type based on product verification: In this conformity assessment procedure, examination and tests of every product are carried out by a notified body to check the conformity of the equipment, protective system or device with the requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU, and draws up a certificate of conformity for all tested products.

The manufacturer has to ensure compliance of the manufactured products to the approved EU-type (under module B) and the legislative requirements.

Module C1 - Conformity to type based on internal production control plus supervised product testing: In this conformity assessment procedure, tests are carried out by a manufacturer on each piece of equipment manufactured, to check the explosion protection aspects of the design. Such tests are carried out under the responsibility of a notified body.

The manufacturer has to ensure compliance of the manufactured products to the approved EU-type (under module B) and the legislative requirements.

Module A - Internal production control: In this conformity assessment procedure, the product and quality system assessment procedure is carried out by the manufacturer. In the cases of equipment-group I and II, category M2 and 2, neither internal combustion engines nor electrical equipment), communication/deposit of the technical documentation to a notified body, and retention of such documentation by the notified body, are required.

Module D - Conformity to type based on quality assurance of the production process: In this conformity assessment procedure notified body approve a quality system for production, final equipment inspection and testing, and it is subject to on-going surveillance.

The manufacturer has to implement and manage an approved quality system for his operations of production, final product inspection and testing of his products, in order to ensure compliance of the manufactured products to the approved EU-type (under module B) and the legislative requirements.

Module E - Conformity to type based on product quality assurance: In this conformity assessment procedure notified body approve a quality system for the final inspection and testing of equipment subject to on-going surveillance. Tests carried out before or during the manufacturing, as well as manufacturing techniques, are not part of the quality system under module E (as it is the case for modules D), because module E targets the final product quality and not the quality of the whole production process.

The manufacturer has to implement and manage an approved quality system for final product inspection and testing of his products, in order to ensure compliance of the manufactured products to the approved EU-type (under module B) and the legislative requirements.

ATEX Voluntary certification: This conformity assessment is performed for Category 3 Products or Category 2 non-electrical products. Certification body undertakes the necessary evaluation to determine that the "type" meets the essential requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU and issues an Type examination certificate. Issued certificate relates only to the design of the specified equipment and not to specific items of equipment subsequently manufactured.

Need ATEX Certification?

KSC has considerable expertise related to Directive 2014/34/EU and the EN 60079 and ISO EN 80079 series of Standards. KSC is an ATEX Ex “Notified Body”. This means that KSC can perform the necessary third-party conformity assessments to determine if products comply with the ATEX Directive, and the EN Standards for Explosive Atmospheres which provide evidence of compliance with the Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) in the Directive.  KSC also conducts any factory Quality Assurance Notification audits required for the given type of certificate.

KSC is Here to Help!

KSC welcomes manufacturers who wish to achieve an ATEX certification.

If you want to undertake an ATEX assessment with us, send a request for quotation. We will inform you about costs, test samples and all necessary steps to meet the requirements of the ATEX Directive.

All rights and duties of applicants and clients, including requirements, restrictions or limitations on the use of the certification body's name and certification mark and on the ways of referring to the certification granted are placed in the signed agreements between parties.

If you have any questions about the process you can contact us at any time.