Standards and certification arrangements to meet the Directive

The paper describes the changes that the ATEX Directive is likely to make in the work of engineers concerned with the design and manufacture of hazardous area equipment. There should be few technical changes for those working to the latest standards but there will be some new terminology and, for those not familiar with the electrotechnology sector, some new conformity assessment procedures. The current position on the development of standards to implement the requirements of the Directive is summarised. Reference is made to standards of other countries and to the IECEx Scheme as they relate to the Directive. The paper concludes that the Directive presents opportunities for new developments in explosion safety technology. (14 pages)