CSA Hazloc Certification in Europe

As of July 1, 2003, manufacturers of electrical equipment for hazardous locations who intend to market their products in the European Union must comply with the European Directive 94/9/EC, also known as the ATEX Directive. The directive covers equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. CSA International can lead you through the compliance process including the audits for the ATEX Directive, offering one-stop shopping through our European alliances for issuance of the EC Certificate and QA (Quality Assurance) Notification.

   

ATEX Directive 94/9/EC

Directive 94/9/EC, commonly called the ATEX ("Atomsphères Explosibles") Directive is one of a number of new approach directives developed by the European Union and covers all equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The Directive is now in effect and will become mandatory on July 1, 2003, superseding all previous legislation related to products used in explosive atmospheres. The ATEX Directive covers the following major elements:

• the application of the CE mark
• essential health and safety requirements
• Products included--equipment, protective systems, components, safety, controlling or regulating devices.
• EC Type Examination Certificate
• conformity assessment procedures for
  • product evaluation
  • quality assurance of the manufacturing process

CE Marking of Equipment       

With the exception of some components, products entering the European common market are required to bear mandatory CE (Conformité Européenne) marking. Application of the CE marking is a declaration by the manufacturer that the equipment:

• is in conformity with all applicable technical provisions and requirements of ATEX and other directives that apply to the equipment, and
• has been the subject of the appropriate conformity assessment procedures of the ATEX directive.

The CE Marking is supported by a manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity, a Technical Construction File and when applicable an EC Type Examination Certificate.

In addition to the ATEX Directive, equipment must meet all applicable European directives, such as the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Machinery Directive. Although products for use in potentially explosive atomspheres are explicitly excluded from the scope of the Low Voltage Directive, all "low voltage essential objective" have to be addressed by the ATEX Directive per Annex II clause 1.2.7.

EC Declaration of Conformity

To validate CE marking of their equipment, manufacturers must draw up a written EC Declaration of Conformity. This declaration is the document in which the manufacturer officially declares that the product complies with all the essential requirements of the directive currently mandatory.

The main elements of the declaration are as follows:

• name and address of the manufacturer
• description of the equipment
• relevant provisions complied with (i.e. directives considered and technical standards applied)
• date and issue of Declaration and signature of authorised person
• the identification of the notified body if applicable

Essential Health and Safety Requirements

The fundamental safety requirements for all equipment are contained in Annex II, Essential Health and Safety Requirements, of the ATEX Directive. These essential requirements establish principles of integrated explosion safety from all electrical and non-electrical (i.e. mechanical friction and overheating, impact of metal parts, static electricity etc.) ignition sources. Conformity to harmonized European standards, such as the EN 50000 series, is used to demonstrate compliance to the Essential Health and Safety Requirements.

EC Type Examination Certificate

For Category 1 and 2 equipment, a Notified Body examines a dossier (technical file) of information supplied by the manufacturer and conducts tests as necessary to show that the product complies with the requirements stated by the manufacturer. The issuance of an EC Type Examination Certificate by a Notified Body means the equipment meets the relevant applicable provisions of the ATEX Directive. For Category 3 equipment issuance of an EC Type Examination certificate is not required.

Conformity Assessment Procedures

The ATEX Directive provides conformity assessment procedures that specify technical and quality assurance requirements based upon the Category of equipment. Typical conformity assessment paths are noted below:

Production Verification, Conformity to Type and Unit Verification may also be an option depending upon the route of compliance chosen. These options however require routine examination and tests of each piece of equipment manufactured.

The information presented here is intended as an introduction, for manufacturers of electrical equipment, to the general process and requirements in the European Union (EU) with emphasis on the ATEX Directive. The full text of the Directive 94/9/EC and any official interpretations by the EU must be consulted for exact legal requirements.

Equipment Group and Category