The ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU) is a critical piece of European legislation that regulates equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Commonly known as the ATEX Equipment Directive, it ensures that products placed on the EU market are designed and manufactured to operate safely in environments with explosive gases, vapors, dusts, or mists.
What is the ATEX Directive?
ATEX stands for "ATmosphères EXplosibles" and the directive covers the design, manufacture, and conformity assessment of equipment and protective systems intended for use in hazardous areas.
The directive became fully applicable on 20 April 2016, replacing the former Directive 94/9/EC. It applies to both electrical and non-electrical equipment, as well as components and safety systems intended for use in explosive atmospheres.
Scope of the ATEX Directive
The ATEX Directive applies to equipment used in:
- Chemical plants
- Oil and gas facilities
- Food processing plants
- Grain storage and handling sites
- Mining operations
- Any location where flammable substances may be present
The directive classifies equipment into Groups and Categories depending on the type of explosive atmosphere and the required level of protection:
- Group I: Equipment used in underground mines
- Group II: Equipment used in surface industries
- Category 1: Very high protection
- Category 2: High protection
- Category 3: Normal protection
Essential Requirements under ATEX
Annex II of the directive outlines Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs) that equipment must meet to ensure safety in explosive atmospheres. These requirements include:
- Prevention of ignition sources (mechanical sparks, electrical discharges, static electricity, hot surfaces)
- Design measures for explosion containment or explosion-proofing
- Material suitability and resistance to environmental conditions
- Protection concepts (e.g. flameproof enclosures, intrinsic safety)
Conformity Assessment and CE Marking
Conformity assessment procedures under ATEX depend on the equipment category:
- Category 1 and 2 equipment (Group II) and Group I equipment generally require third-party certification by a Notified Body.
- Category 3 equipment can often be self-certified by the manufacturer.
Manufacturers must:
- Conduct a risk assessment
- Ensure compliance with harmonised standards
- Prepare and retain technical documentation
- Draw up an EU Declaration of Conformity
- Affix the CE marking and ATEX marking (including group, category, and explosion protection symbol)
Harmonised Standards and Presumption of Conformity
Compliance with relevant harmonised EN standards, such as those from the EN 60079 series, gives manufacturers a presumption of conformity with the ATEX Directive. These standards cover:
- Equipment design
- Protection concepts (e.g. flameproof, increased safety, intrinsic safety)
- Testing methods
Responsibilities of Economic Operators
All economic operators involved in the lifecycle of ATEX equipment have defined obligations:
- Manufacturers must ensure compliance and carry out or coordinate the conformity assessment.
- Importers must verify that third-country products meet EU requirements.
- Distributors must ensure proper documentation, markings, and safe handling in the supply chain.
Contact Us
Compliance with the ATEX Directive is not just a legal obligation—it’s critical to ensuring safety in high-risk environments. Our team of regulatory experts can help you navigate the complex requirements of ATEX, including equipment classification, notified body coordination, CE and ATEX marking, technical file preparation, and risk analysis.
Contact us today to ensure your equipment is fully compliant and safe for use in explosive atmospheres throughout the European Union.
