Mechanical Equipment (Non-Electrical Equipment)

The approach for Mechanical (Non-Electrical) Equipment varies from the conformity assessment route for electrical equipment.

The approach for mechanical (non-electrical) equipment differs from that of electrical equipment in conformity assessment processes.

Under ATEX 2014/34/EU, most non-electrical equipment undergoes self-declaration of conformity by the manufacturer. The manufacturer submits a sealed technical file to a Notified Body, which is retained for 10 years. In contrast, IECEx does not approve self-declaration as a conformity assessment route; full assessment by an IECEx Certification Body is required.

Increasing Involvement of Third-Party Accredited Bodies

Both manufacturers and end-users are increasingly seeking greater involvement of third-party accredited certification bodies in the compliance process.

Technical Requirements

Certification of mechanical (non-electrical) equipment involves evaluating potential ignition sources defined by EN 1127 and conducting an ignition hazard assessment (as per EN ISO 80079-36). The standard contains a recommended format for the ignition hazard assessment which should be used by the manufacturer.

This assessment covers normal operation, expected malfunctions, and rare malfunctions. Manufacturers apply recognized protection concepts from standards like  EN ISO 80079-37 to mitigate ignition risks based on the zone of intended use.

  • Zone of Intended Use
    • Failure Modes to be Controlled
    • Zone 0: Rare, Expected Malfunction & Normal Operation
    • Zone 1: Expected Malfunction & Normal Operation
    • Zone 2: Normal Operation

After completing the equipment design phase and ignition hazard assessment, manufacturers select the appropriate conformity assessment route, compiling a technical file as part of the process.

Required Contents of the Technical File

  • General Description of the Equipment
  • Design and Manufacturing Drawings
  • Ignition Hazard Assessment (according to EN ISO 80079-36)
  • Technical Documentation (compliance statement and checklist of applied standards)
  • Calculations, measurements, test results, and calibration records

Related Directives, Schemes, and Standards

  • ATEX Directive – 2014/34/EU
  • IECEx – The IEC System for Certification to Standards for Equipment in Explosive Atmospheres

Common Standards

  • IEC/EN 60079-0 General Requirements
  • EN ISO 80079-36 General Requirements (mechanical equipment)
  • EN ISO 80079-37 constructional safety "c", control of ignition source "b", liquid immersion "k" Ex h  

Our Offering

DNV offers a range of services, from the basic requirement for storage of technical files, to technical support in preparation of the technical file and full unit-verification certification on a voluntary basis. These include:

  • Technical File Storage – ATEX 2014/34/EU;
  • Technical File Storage with Voluntary Completeness Check and Review of Ignition Hazard Assessment – ATEX 2014/34/EU;
  • Full Certification (Unit Verification) – ATEX 2014/34/EU Annex IX;
  • IECEx Certification of Non-Electrical Equipment;
  • Technical Support.

Our IECEx Certification Body and ATEX Notified Body services are issued by DNV Product Assurance AS in Oslo, Norway.

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