BAKGRUNN

Equipment and Protective systems intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX) Directive 94/9/EC is a so-called "New Approach" Directive which provides the technical requirements to be applied to equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The Directive is named after the French "ATmosphere EXplosible" and it has been mandatory from 1st July 2003.

Manufacturers who apply its provisions and affix the CE marking are able to sell their equipment anywhere in Europe without any further requirements being applied with respect to the risks covered being applied. In effect this means access to the largest Single Market in the world, including over 450 million citizens.

The Directive covers a surprisingly large range of equipment, potentially including equipment used on fixed offshore platforms, in petrochemical plants, mines, flour mills and other areas where a potentially explosive atmosphere may be present. The European market for such equipment is estimated at 3 Billion euros per year.

In very broad terms, there are three pre-conditions for the Directive to apply: the equipment
a) must have its own source of ignition;
b) be intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere (air mixtures); and
c) be under normal atmospheric conditions.