Equipment used in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres
The ATEX Directive is a European Single Market Directive that applies to electrical and mechanical equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
Brief history
The Directive replaces two previous Directives on electrical equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (76/117/EC and 82/130/EC). It was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on 23 March 1994 and came into force on 1 March 1996.
Subject area
The Directive applies to both electrical and mechanical equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. These include:
- 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.
Intention of legislation
To enable the free trading of ATEX products within the EEA by removing the need for separate documentation and testing for each individual European market. Manufacturers may use a single CE mark on their products to show compliance with this (and any other relevant) Directive.
Coverage
The potential for explosive atmospheres can exist in a range of mainly industrial locations such as mines, factories, agricultural silos, and oil and gas platforms, water and other chemical processing environments. There is a wide range of products intended for use in such areas, including control equipment and sensors, transformers, fans, pumps, compressors, fork lift trucks, and lighting.
Implementing legislation
The Directive has been implemented in Great Britain by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (SI 1996 No.192) which came into force on 1 March 1996. The Regulations were amended by SI 2001 No.3766 which came into force on 21 December 2001. The amendment principally covers the concept of "putting into service".
The Regulations and the amendment are available to download from The Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
The Directive was implemented separately in Northern Ireland on 29 July 1996 (SR 1996/247).
Related regulations
The ATEX 137 Workplace Directive 1999/92/EC, (also known as the 'Use' Directive) is implemented by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) (SI 2002/2776) in the UK.
Guidance to DSEAR is published by HSE. For further information please visit the Safety Policy Directorate's website.
Enforcement
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the responsibility for the enforcement of both sets of UK Regulations.
Notified Bodies
A list of Notified Bodies accredited under ATEX can be found by following this link to the European Commission's NANDO (New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations) Information System.
The list can be sorted by country or by Notified Body name by clicking on the column headings. The contact details, accreditation information and information on the Directive modules for which the organisation is notified can be found by clicking on the Notified Body name. Please note that UK based companies are not restricted to using UK Notified Bodies.
CAUTION:
The Department is aware of cases where organisations claim (or appear to claim) to be notified bodies authorised to carry out conformity assessment and certification when they actually hold no such appointment. Please see further information in the attached warning note (DOC, 42 Kb) .
Guidance and further information
A guide to the UK Regulations, and a list of UK Notified Bodies appointed by the Secretary of State, are available from the link below.
European guidelines, along with the text of the Directive are available from the European Commission's "ATEX" website.
Contact
All enquiries relating to the information shown on this webpage should be sent to Product Regulation
Please note that we can generally only offer advice on policy interpretation; if you require complex technical advice, please contact one of the ATEX Notified Bodies (experienced companies who carry out conformity assessment procedures). A list is available below.
