Overview of International IECEx Certification system

 

In order to eliminate the technical barriers exist in international trade,and make it convenient to electric and electronic products field,International Electrotechnical Commission(IEC) successively launched conformity assessment system of electric and electronic products in 1980s.

IEC Scheme for Certification to Standards for Electrical Equipments for Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx) was established in 1996,China is one of the founding member states.After 20 years of unremitting efforts,the IECEx system has been developed from original single explosion-proof electrical equipment authentication to now based on IEC/ISO standards,the authentication of providing equipment,services,personnel capability to explosive atmosphere throughout the whole life cycle conformity assessment system of the production,installation,usage and maintenance for explosion-proof electrical equipment,which has become the most authoritative

conformity assessment system in international explosion-proof electric field.

Given a prominent role and outstanding contribution the IECEx system in explosive environment to realize the whole process of safety management,IECEx system was named as the best practice pattern to verify the conformance of international standard by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).UNECE publishes the "general management framework for equipment used in explosive environment",promotes the evaluation method of IECEx system,encourages to take IECEx certification results,provides a reference guide for those without establishing equipment management method used in explosive atmosphere.

 

1.Purpose of IECEx system

Carried out international certification for Ex products in accordance with the international standards,the aim is to ensure the premise of moderate safety level of explosion-proof electrical products,eliminate unnecessary duplication of international certification and inspection,and promote international trades.

 

2.Ultimate goal of IECEx system is to be received by the whole world:

One standard---relative standard established by IEC/TC31 technical commission.

One certificate---IECEx Certificate of Conformity.

One mark---IECEx Mark of Conformity.

 

3.Overview of IECEx certification system

3.1 Certification scheme of equipments used in IECEx explosive atmosphere.

3.2 Service provider certification scheme for repair and permanent repair of Ex equipments.

3.3 Permission system for IECEx mark of conformity.

3.4 Certification scheme of personnel capacity in IECEx explosive atmosphere.

 

4.Common sense of certification scheme for equipments used in IECEx explosive atmosphere

4.1 The certification model of IECEx system equipment certification program is based on the 5th pattern of ISO certification system and IECEx02 rule,required to issue IECEx test report (EXTR,including product test) and IECEx quality review report (QAR,including the same product),so that ExCB can issue IECEx certificate.

 

4.2 Products issued by the IECEx certificate(certificate is valid for long term),IECEx quality review report (QAR) is valid for 3 years,at least 18 months in the factory supervision.

 

4.3 ISO/IEC 80079-34:2011 Explosive atmosphere Part 34:quality system application for equipment manufacturers.

 

4.4 Fangyuan Mark Certification Group Co.,LTD.(CQM) is the only accrediting agency by IECEx certification authority in China,CQM signing inspection laboratory includes: national explosion-proof electric products quality supervision and inspection

center(CQST),Shanghai instrument automatic control system test center of national supervision and inspection center for explosion protection and safety of instrumentation (NEPSI) and petroleum chemical industry explosion-proof electrical products quality supervision and inspection center (PCEC),mechanical industry low voltage Ex electrical equipment quality supervision and test center,etc.

 

5.IECEx certification

IECEx certification is voluntary,each member has different opinions,Australia and New Zealand can totally accept,other countries accept with differences.Its influence in the world is gradually expanded and accepted by the user.33 countries are currently in IECEx organization as follows:

Australia,Brazil,Canada,China,Croatia,the Czech Republic,Denmark,Finland,France,Germany,Hungary,Israel,India,Italy,Japan,Korea,Malaysia,the Netherlands,New Zealand,Norway,Poland,Romania,Russia,Singapore,Slovenia,South Africa,Spain,Sweden,Switzerland,Turkey,the United Arab Emirates,United Kingdom,the United States,etc.

 Overview of European ATEX certification system

1.Introduction of ATEX explosion-proof directives by EU CE certification

ATEX is the abbreviation of French"Atmospheres Explosibles",means"explosive environment".Since July 1,2003,all the equipment and protection system enter European economic area (EEA),and used in explosive environment must conform to the ATEX directive(94/9/EC) (after April 20,2016,directive 94/9/EC is replaced by 2014/34/EU).Explosion-proof electrical equipment is a kind of safe electrical equipment,

especially in the oil,marine oil,petrochemical industry,chemical industry,pharmaceutical and military industry and other industries in the workplaces where hazardous chemicals used in explosive hazardous atmosphere.

 

European commission adopted the"equipment and protection system used in potential explosion atmosphere”directive (94/9/EC) on March 23,1994.This directive covers mine and non mine equipments,unlike previous directives,it includes mechanical equipment and electrical equipment,including various kinds of explosion-proof electrical equipment,protection system,safety instrument,control instrument and control device,etc.extends the potential explosion hazardous atmosphere to the dust in the air,combustible gas,combustible vapor and mist.It specifies the technical requirements,basic health,safety requirements and equipment within the range of application which used in potential explosive atmosphere must use conformity assessment procedures before placed on European market.

 

In 1999,the European commission issued the minimum requirements directive which involves the improvements of worker health and safety protection in potentially explosive hazardous atmosphere (1999/92/EC),and ATEX94/9/EC instruction in parallel (after April 20,2016,94/9/EC is replaced by 2014/34/EU),stipulates the employer's liability involving in potentially explosive hazardous atmosphere.

 

For the basic safety and health requirements and protection system stipulated in explosion-proof directive,European Organization for Standardization is entrusted to formulate the corresponding“coordinative criteria”,used for stipulate its detailed technical implementation method.Manufacturer applied ATEX directive terms and with attached CE marking who are allowed to sell equipments used in potential explosion hazardous atmosphere without considering more requirements in Europe.This is the effective method to quickly enter into world's largest single market with more than 4.5 billion citizens.

 

So the implementation of European explosion-proof directives promotes the flow of trade for equipment and protection system in potential explosive atmosphere in the European market,provides the guarantee to ensure the health and property safety,which are beneficial to manufacturers,users and consumers.Also,regardless of old methods or new methods of explosion-proof instruction,it has a significant contribution to establish a single European market,eliminate trade technical barriers and ensure the equipment used in potential explosion hazardous atmosphere for free flow between its members.Pay close attention to the development and change of the ATEX directive,

familiar with its implementation method,it is of great significance for how to use ATEX directives for explosion-proof products to enter the European market.

 

2.The scope and classification of ATEX explosion-proof authentication

The equipment range of applicability of this directive is particularly large,generally including offshore platform,petrochemical plant,flour mills and other places where equipment is suitable in potential explosive atmosphere.

In general,the application of the directive has three preconditions:

  1) Devices must have their own ignition source;

  2) Expected for potential explosive environment(air mixture);

  3) And under normal air condition.

The directive applies to the safety use of the necessary components,as well as safety device useful to equipment safety within the scope of application.These devices can be used outside the potential explosive atmosphere.

ATEX (94/9/EC) directive can be divided into three classes according to the protection level of installation equipment:

  1) Category 1--very high protection level;

  2) Category 2--high protection level;

  3) Category 3--normal protection level.

If equipments are used in Zone 0,1,2,then there is G after category number (gas,vapor/mist): 

If equipments are used in Zone 20,21 or 22,then there is"D"after category number (dust).

 

3.Common sense of authentication for equipments used in European ATEX explosive atmosphere

1) Authentication mode:factory production quality system review + product type tests + product CE conformity statement,only meet three requirements at the same time can enter into Europe ATEX member states and other countries approved ATEX authentication.

 

2) Factory quality system review:explosion-proof test centers authorized by the ATEX certification authority (such as German PTB,TUV,French LCIE,Norway Nemko,DNV,Italy Eurofins,etc.) are to review and issue a certificate of quality evaluation(QAN) and production quality evaluation report(QAR),the certificate is valid for 3 years,18 months for supervision and review,review and change

certificate after 3 years.Warom selects German PTB as the ATEX assessment organization for production quality,PTB is the abbreviation of Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and authority in explosion-proof flied.

 

3) Product type tests:product type tests can be processed by any explosion-proof test center authorized by the European ATEX certification body;EC product type test certificate and EC type test report can be issued if test qualified,certificate is of long-term effective.

 

4) CE conformity statement:only has the production certificate of quality evaluation and EC product type test certificate can manufacturer proceed product CE conformity statement which need to meet EN45012,EN45014 (EN/ISO/IEC 17050-1-2004,EN/ISO/IEC 17050-2-17050) standards.

 

5) Factory production quality system review is based on ISO/IEC80079-11,product type test is based on 2014/34/EU,EN60079 series,EN61241 series standard and other explosion-proof standards approved by ATEX;CE certificate is based on the production quality evaluation certificate and EC product type test certificate.

 

4.ATEX certification body

Based on the high standard requirements of ATEX certification system,therefore,it has a high recognition all over the world;there are many countries approved ATEX certification,in addition to EU members,like most countries in Africa,the Middle East,Southeast Asia,South America,etc.

 

5.So far the EU has 28 countries,specific as follows:

EU member

states:Austria,Belgium,Bulgaria,Cyprus,Czech Republic,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,France,Germany,Greece,Hungary,Ireland,Italy,Latvia,Lithuania,Luxembourg,Malta,Netherlands,Poland,Portugal,Slovakia,Slovenia,Spain,Sweden,Romania,Britain,Croatia.

Overview of Russia,Belarus and Kazakhstan CU-TR union explosion-proof certification system 

1.Common sense of authentication for Russia,Belarus and Kazakhstan CU-TR union

1) Russia,Belarus and Kazakhstan CU-TR union certification mode:factory quality assurance system review (issued review reports of factory quality assurance system if passed review) +product type test certificate (Note:customs clearance + installation usage licensing integrated).

 

2) CU-TR union authentication certificate besides Russia,Belarus,Kazakhstan are fully recognized,currently countries covered by CUTR union authentication certificate are Armenia and Azerbaijan,Georgia,Kyrgyzstan,Moldova,

Uzbekistan,Tajikistan,Turkmenistan.

 

2.Origin of custom union CU-TR authentication

According to Russia,Belarus,Kazakhstan three countries signed in 2010.10.18 for the agreement on common criterion and rules for the technical specifications of the republic of Kazakhstan,republic of Belarus and the Russian federation,customs union committee is committed to the formulation to ensure product safety standards and requirements,thus formed a customs union and Russia,Belarus,Kazakhstan CU-TR certification.

 

3.Approval range of CU-TR authentication

CU-TR certification has the same legal effect in any place inside the territory of customs union.

 

4.Certification mark of CU-TR authentication

New EAC mark has been used by customs union certification.

Originally three countries have their own authentication mark,GOST-R,GOST-K,GOST-B.The original certification mark will no longer be used; compulsory deadline is March 15,2015.

 

5.Classification of CU-TR authentication

According to the content of resolution 563 on March 2,2011 by league committee,Russia,Belarus,Kazakhstan customs union CU - TR certification can be divided into two kinds according to the properties of the products,the two kinds of certification need to be certificated and tested via authorized certification body under CU certification system and authorization laboratory.

 

1)The customs union technical regulations for certificate of conformity through CU-TR authentication.Russian:технических регламентов таможенного союза

сертификатов соответствия ТC；English:Technical Regulation of the Customs Union.Therefore,Russia,Belarus,

Kazakhstan customs union can be called as TR-CU or CU-TR authentication.

 

2) The customs union technical regulatory compliance declaration certificate.Russian:форма декларирования соответствия ТР ТС;English Declaration of Conformity.

 

6.Validity of certificate

The validity of the customs union CU certification is divided into four kinds:single batch certificate,certificate of one-year,three-year validity certificate,and certificate of five years.Any kind of validity shall not affect the force of law.

Overview of North America explosion-proof certification system

1.North America NEC explosion-proof authentication system

1) Two systems of NEC series standards

One is NEC500 series standard for divided native North American Division,specific use place involves the standard specification:

Article 500--Locations divided by hazardous classification;Article 501--Class I locations;

Article 502--Class II locations;

Article 503--Class III locations;

Article 504--Intrinsic safety system;

Another is NEC505 series standard divided by Zones in IEC series; specific use place involves the standard specification:

Article 505--Locations in Zone 0,Zone 1,Zone 2.

Article 506--Locations for combustible dust or fiber/flyings in Zone 20,Zone 21,Zone 22.

 

2) NEC500 series standard is the standard in local North America,it has comparatively large difference in regulations and requirements with IEC series standard,the countries and regions are mainly the United States and Canada and surrounding areas.References in the field of explosion-proof for NEC standard,main certification are NEMA,UL,CSA explosion protection,etc.

 

3) NEC505 series standards based on IEC standard,basic equivalent to IEC standards.Such as product finally use in the United States,Canada and surrounded countries and regions,the product takes NEC standards,whether NEC500 or NEC505 can be recognized,but because of the same standard of NEC505 and IEC,so,if products have been approved by IEC certification,in accordance with the corresponding NEC505 standards for testing and evaluation,it is very easy to meet the requirements.

 

4) Whether products are NEC500 or NEC505 can be recognized by America,Canada and surrounding countries.

 

2.Common sense of authentication for explosion-proof products of North America NEC505 and NEC500

1) American UL and Canadian CSA certification bodies,explosion-proof product certification executes NEC500 and NEC505 two modes of directives,NEC500 directive requires complete execution of the technical standard of United States or Canada federal.NEC505 directive follows IEC60079 technical standards.

 

2) Whether executes NEC500 instructions or NEC505 for product certification,it needs the inspection of factory,focused on certificated products,the review frequency is 4 times a year,may be 6 times a year and even more if there are many product specifications.

 

3.Certificates issued by United States UL and Canadian CSA three certification authorities

UL certificate is the most influential,then CSA certificate.From customer feedback information of current business process,basically need UL certificate.Three certification bodies do not accept test data and reports of others,this is the biggest difference between international IECEx and European ATEX certification system.IECEx,ATEX system stipulate that as long as it is the member of authentication institutions within the organization,regardless of which test data or reports issued by certification bodies,other members of the organization must accept.

Overview of certification system for China explosion-proof production

1.Explosion-proof authentication product in China QS explosion-proof production certificate

According to international practice,China is also subject to compulsory management and certification of explosion-proof products.

1.1 Explosion-proof certification system:

1) Be applicable to the whole explosion-proof products sold within the territory of China (includes foreign imported);

2) The first authentication mode of ISO (type test);

3) The validity period of certificate is 5 years.

1.2 Production certificate system:

1) Only suit to the part explosion-proof products in domestic enterprise (except measuring type products and lighting type products);

2) Type test+ factory inspection;

3) The validity period of certificate is 5years.

1.3 Coal safety mark (MA):

1) Suit to mining product;

2) Type test + factory inspection;

3) The validity period of certificate is 5years.

 

2.The People's Republic of China standardization law,standardization law implementing regulations of the People's Republic of China

2.1 Chinese standards can be divided into 3 kinds mandatory (GB),recommended (GB/T),directive (GB/Z).

2.2 China explosion-proof standards for compulsory standards.

2.3 China compulsory standards shall be carried out.Products do not comply Chinese compulsory standards will not be allowed for the production,sales and import on the territory of China.

 

3.Product quality law of the People's Republic of China

Industrial products may endanger personal and property safety,it must comply with the relevant Chinese national standards.

 

4.The production safety law of the People's Republic of China

The design and manufacture,installation,use,inspection,

maintenance and transformation of safety equipment (products) within the territory of China should conform to the Chinese national standard.

 

5 Combined with regulations mentioned above,foreign explosion-proof products shall suit to the following conditions when entering the Chinese market for sale:

5.1 Pass the product type tests of China GB standard,and obtain product Ex certificate of conformity.

5.2 Pass factory quality system inspection and get license certificate.

5.3 Ex products for mining must acquire China MA mark verified.

The classification of hazardous areas of global main explosion-proof system and corresponding protection methods

Hazardous Locations Marking Examples

Markings for Global IECEx System/for China

Area Classification-Division Versus Zone

ATEX Equipment Category and IEC/IECEx Equipment Protection Level

Explosive/Flammable/Combustible Atmosphere/Environment Grouping

Temperature Code & Temperature Class

Protection Methods for Potentially Explosive Gas/Vapor Atmospheres

Protection Methods for Potentially Explosive Gas/Vapor Atmospheres(continue the above table)

Protection methods for combustible/ignitable dust atmospheres(including fiber and flyings)