ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU

The ATEX (ATmosph?res EXplosibles) European Union (EU) Directive 2014/34/EU - On the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres; entered into force and application on 18th April 2014. The legislation provided for the withdrawal of the previous ATEX Directive 94/9/EC on 20th April 2016. The new ATEX directive was ?recast? to reflect the New Legislative Framework (NLF) published on 9 July 2008.

 

The ATEX Directive applies to all equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in the EU and since April 2014 it is mandatory for these devices to have an EU Type Approval. The objective of ATEX is to ensure the free movement of goods throughout the EU, by offering one harmonised compliance procedure accepted by all EU countries, eradicating the need for differing national standards. Certification (EU Type Approval) ensures that the equipment or protective system is fit for its intended purpose and that adequate information is supplied with it to ensure that it can be used safely. For product certification; samples of the equipment will need to be tested by a laboratory of an appropriate Notified Body. Compliant Ex product will be issued with an EU-Type Examination Certificate.

Quality Assurance Notification (QAN)

When Ex product has achieved ATEX type approval the manufacturing facility will require a Quality Assurance Notification (QAN). To obtain a QAN the Quality System will need to be compliant to ISO/IEC 80079-34, the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU and subject to a factory inspection audit by an appropriate Notified Body.

UKCA / UKEX Regulations

The UKEX Statutory Instrument SI 2016 No. 1107, closely reflects the requirements of the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU. On 24 January 2024, the UK Government announced it would extend recognition of goods that meet EU requirements (including the CE marking), indefinitely, beyond 2024 for many products. This means goods that meet EU (ATEX) requirements can be placed on the GB market beyond 31 December 2024. However, some manufacturers choose to maintain their UKEX Product Certificates and UKEX QANs, for example as per customer requirement/request. David Ford QA Ltd can guide manufacturers, who maintain UKEX, through the few requirements specific to UKEX compliance.