IECEx Product Certification Scheme
The IECEx System is an international certification scheme operated by the IEC which manufacturers can use as a basis of demonstrating third-party conformity assessment to recognized international standards.
A number of international markets accept an IECEx Certificate of Conformity for market access directly and in others it can be used to demonstrate that the product complies with international standards in support of local certification.
Technical Requirements
For both experienced equipment manufacturers and new entrants to this sector the conformity assessment route and process can be complex.
Hazardous Areas (Potentially Explosive Atmospheres) are defined in terms of Zones and Safe Areas under relevant IEC (for IECEx) and EN (for ATEX) standards depending on the expected frequency and duration of an explosive atmosphere being present.
In addition to Zones, Hazardous Areas are further subdivided by Gas or Dust Groups depending on the explosion properties of the gas or dust and Temperature Classes depending on the auto-ignition temperature of the explosive atmosphere.
Equipment for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres is specified by an Equipment Category (ATEX) or an Equipment Protection Level or EPL (IECEx) which defines the level of safety of the equipment and the zone in which it is suitable for use.
| Zone of intended use | ATEX Category | IECEx EPL |
| Zone 0 | 1G | Ga |
| Zone 1 | 2G | Gb |
| Zone 2 | 3G | Gc |
| Zone 20 | 1D | Da |
| Zone 21 | 2D | Db |
| Zone 22 | 3D | Dc |
The Equipment Category or EPL, representative gas or dust group and temperature class (T Class) are determined by the relevant protection method which is employed.
Technically, the standards and technical requirements used to demonstrate conformity are almost identical for ATEX and IECEx and a product can usually be assessed for both schemes at the same time.
Related Directives, schemes and standards
IECEx – The IEC System for Certification to Standards relating to Equipment for use in Explosive Atmospheres
The following standards define the most common protection concepts which can be used to achieve the appropriate level of protection, gas group and temperature class.
| IEC/EN 60079-0 | General Requirements | ||
| IEC/EN 60079-1 | Flameproof | Ex d | 2GD Gb Db |
| IEC/EN 60079-2 | Pressurisation | Ex p | 2GD Gb Db |
| IEC/EN 60079-5 | Quartz-filled | Ex q | 2GD Gb Db |
| IEC/EN 60079-6 | Oil-filled | Ex o | 2GD Gb Db |
| IEC/EN 60079-7 | Increased Safety | Ex e | 2GD Gb Db |
| IEC/EN 60079-11 | Intrinsic Safety | Ex I | 1GD Ga Da |
| IEC/EN 60079-15 | Non Incendive | Ex n | 3GD Gc Dc |
| IEC/EN 60079-18 | Encapsulated | Ex m | 2GD Gb Db |
| ISO/EN 80079-36 | General Requirements (mechanical equipment) | ||
| ISO/EN 80079-37 | |||
| Constructional Safety | Ex c | 2GD Gb Db | |
| Control of Ignition Sources | Ex b | 2GD Gb Db | |
| Liquid Immersion | Ex k | 2GD Gb Db |
Our offering
DNV offers a full scope of evaluation, testing and certification services for both ATEX and IECEx approvals. In addition, DNV can supply pre-evaluation services to assist our customers with gap assessment or understanding of the technical and compliance requirements prior to undertaking and approval project.
We also offer a range of additional Hazardous Area Services globally, including services specifically for Assemblies of Equipment and Market Access for e.g., USA, Canada and Brazil.
DNV offers a full scope of IECEx product certification services designed for manufacturers who require third party evaluation, testing and certification of their products to demonstrate conformity to the IECEx International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification.
Our IECEx Certification Body and ATEX Notified Body Hazardous Area services are issued by DNV Presafe AS in Oslo, Norway.