ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU

What is ATEX?

ATEX is the common name for two EU directives governing explosion safety:

1. Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX 114, equipment directive) — Regulates the design, manufacture, and certification of equipment for explosive atmospheres
2. Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX 137, workplace directive) — Requires employers to assess explosion risks and implement protective measures (including zone classification) in workplaces with explosive atmospheres

The name "ATEX" comes from the French title "ATmosphères EXplosibles". When people say "ATEX certification," they typically mean compliance with Directive 2014/34/EU.

The Two Directives

This page focuses on Directive 2014/34/EU (the equipment directive).

Directive 2014/34/EU: Equipment and Protective Systems

Scope

Applies to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. This includes:

• Electrical equipment — Motors, lights, control panels, sensors, actuators, junction boxes (all using appropriate protection methods)
• Non-electrical equipment — Mechanical devices, pumps, fans, compressors, hand tools
• Protective systems — Explosion suppression systems, flame arrestors, explosion vents
• Safety devices — Isolation valves, pressure relief devices, gas detection systems
• Components — Cable glands, terminal blocks, enclosures (when sold separately for use in Ex equipment)

Exclusions

The directive does not apply to:

• Medical devices in clinical environments
• Equipment and protective systems for use in explosive atmospheres caused by explosive substances (covered by separate directives)
• PPE (personal protective equipment) covered by other EU regulations
• Marine equipment on seagoing vessels (subject to IMO conventions)

Equipment Groups and Categories

Group I: Mining Equipment

Equipment for underground mines susceptible to firedamp (methane) and/or combustible dust.

• Category M1 — Very high protection level; remains operational even when an explosive atmosphere is present
• Category M2 — High protection level; must be de-energized when an explosive atmosphere is detected

Group II: Surface Industries

Equipment for all other industries (oil & gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, food, etc.). Subdivided by category and atmosphere type:

Equipment can be dual-certified (e.g., II 2 GD) for both gas and dust applications.

Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs)

Annex II of the directive lists mandatory requirements equipment must meet. Key areas:

General Requirements

• Selection of materials considering ignition hazards (electrostatic charging, corrosion, mechanical sparks)
• Design and construction to eliminate ignition sources
• Instructions and markings in official EU languages
• Consideration of ambient conditions (temperature, humidity, vibration, chemical exposure)

Ignition Source Prevention

• Electrical sparks and arcs — Eliminated or contained depending on protection method
• Surface temperatures — Controlled below the auto-ignition temperature of the surrounding atmosphere
• Hot surfaces — Limited by design, thermal insulation, or active cooling
• Adiabatic compression — Prevented in enclosures (relevant for pressurized equipment)
• Friction and impact sparks — Material selection (non-sparking alloys) or design to prevent contact between incompatible materials
• Electrostatic discharge — Bonding, grounding, conductive materials, or humidity control
• Ultrasonic, optical radiation, ionizing radiation — Assessed where applicable

Protection Against External Effects

• Ingress protection (IP rating) adequate for the environment
• Resistance to corrosion, vibration, impact
• Safe opening and closing of enclosures (interlocks where necessary)

Additional Requirements by Category

• Category 1/M1: Two independent means of protection (redundancy) or safe even with two faults applied simultaneously
• Category 2/M2: Safe during expected operation and under one fault condition
• Category 3: Safe during normal operation; faults must be detected or unlikely

Conformity Assessment Modules

Manufacturers must follow specific procedures to demonstrate compliance. The required module depends on the equipment category:

Common Combinations

• Category 3 (non-electrical): Module A (self-certification)
• Category 3 (electrical): Module A (self-certification)
• Category 2: Module B + C1 or Module B + D or Module B + E
• Category 1 and M1: Module B + D, Module B + E, or Module B + F

Module B (EU Type Examination) is central to most ATEX certifications. The Notified Body tests a representative sample, reviews technical documentation, and issues an EU Type Examination Certificate if the equipment complies.

Surveillance (Modules D/E): For Category 1 and M1 equipment, the Notified Body conducts ongoing quality audits to ensure production consistently meets the certified design.

Technical Documentation

Manufacturers must compile a technical file containing:

• General description of the equipment
• Design and manufacturing drawings, schematics
• Risk assessment and ignition hazard analysis
• List of harmonized standards (EN 60079-x) applied
• Test reports (flameproof pressure testing, temperature rise testing, spark ignition tests, etc.)
• Instructions for safe use, installation, maintenance
• Declaration of conformity or EU Type Examination Certificate

The technical file must be retained for 10 years after the last product is placed on the market and made available to authorities on request.

CE Marking

Equipment conforming to the directive must bear the CE mark before being placed on the EU market. The mark consists of:

CE 0123
 ⚠  [Equipment marking]

• CE — The Conformité Européenne symbol
• 0123 — Four-digit Notified Body number (if involved in conformity assessment)
• ⚠ — ATEX hexagon symbol
• Equipment marking — Group, category, Ex marking, temperature class, EPL, certificate number, etc.

Where the CE mark is affixed:

• On the equipment itself (nameplate)
• On packaging (if equipment is too small)
• Accompanied by the EU Declaration of Conformity (supplied with the product or available on manufacturer's website)

Legal effect: The CE mark indicates the manufacturer declares the product meets all applicable EU directives (ATEX, EMC, Low Voltage Directive, Machinery Directive, etc.). It allows free circulation within the EU/EEA market.

Manufacturer Obligations

Under the directive, manufacturers must:

1. Perform risk assessment — Identify all potential ignition sources
2. Design to EHSRs — Apply harmonized standards or demonstrate equivalent safety
3. Undergo conformity assessment — Follow the appropriate module(s)
4. Compile technical documentation — Maintain for 10 years
5. Affix CE marking and labeling — Including ATEX symbol, group, category, Ex marking
6. Issue EU Declaration of Conformity — Formal statement that equipment complies
7. Provide instructions — Installation, operation, maintenance manuals in relevant EU languages
8. Implement corrective actions — If non-conforming products are discovered, inform authorities and take corrective action (recall, modify design)

For importers: If you bring equipment from outside the EU, you assume the manufacturer's obligations (ensuring CE marking, declaration of conformity, and technical documentation are provided).

For distributors: Verify that equipment has the CE mark and is accompanied by the required documents before making it available on the market.

Harmonized Standards

The directive references harmonized European standards as a means of demonstrating conformity with the EHSRs. These are published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The primary harmonized standards for explosion protection are the EN 60079 series, which are identical to IEC 60079 standards:

• EN 60079-0 — General requirements
• EN 60079-1 — Flameproof enclosures (Ex d)
• EN 60079-7 — Increased safety (Ex e)
• EN 60079-11 — Intrinsic safety (Ex i)
• EN 60079-15 — Type of protection 'n' (Zone 2)
• EN 60079-18 — Encapsulation (Ex m)
• EN 60079-31 — Dust ignition protection by enclosures (Ex t)

Using harmonized standards creates a presumption of conformity—if you design to EN 60079-1, authorities presume your flameproof enclosure meets the EHSRs. You can also meet the EHSRs through other means, but you must demonstrate equivalence.

Notified Bodies

Notified Bodies are organizations designated by EU member states to carry out conformity assessment tasks. They are identified by a four-digit number (e.g., 0102 for ZELM).

Role of Notified Bodies

• Conduct EU Type Examination (Module B)
• Issue EU Type Examination Certificates
• Perform surveillance audits (Modules D/E)
• Conduct product verification (Module F)

Finding a Notified Body

The European Commission maintains the NANDO database listing all Notified Bodies and their scope. Search for "ATEX" or "Directive 2014/34/EU" to find bodies authorized for explosion protection equipment.

Manufacturers can choose any Notified Body within the EU—you're not required to use one in your home country.

Relationship with Directive 1999/92/EC (Workplace)

While 2014/34/EU regulates equipment, 1999/92/EC regulates workplaces. Employers must:

• Classify hazardous areas into zones (0/1/2 for gas, 20/21/22 for dust)
• Prepare an Explosion Protection Document (EPD) documenting the risk assessment, zone classification, and protective measures
• Ensure only equipment with the appropriate category is used in each zone
• Implement organizational measures (hot work permits, training, maintenance procedures)
• Mark hazardous areas with warning signs

The two directives work together: equipment must be certified under 2014/34/EU and correctly selected and installed per 1999/92/EC.

Timeline and History

• 1994: Original ATEX directive 94/9/EC (ATEX 95) adopted
• 2003: Directive 94/9/EC fully implemented across EU
• 2014: Directive 2014/34/EU replaces 94/9/EC, aligning with the New Legislative Framework
• 2016: Directive 2014/34/EU takes effect (April 20, 2016)
• 2021: Brexit — UK adopts UKCA marking for ATEX-equivalent equipment sold in Great Britain (ATEX still recognized during transition)

The update to 2014/34/EU introduced clearer obligations for manufacturers, importers, and distributors, aligned procedures with other New Approach directives, and clarified the role of economic operators.

Brexit and UKCA Marking

Since January 1, 2021, the UK operates its own conformity assessment system for explosion-protected equipment:

• UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking replaces CE for the Great Britain market (England, Scotland, Wales)
• CE marking still valid during the transition period (extended through 2024)
• Northern Ireland continues to follow EU ATEX rules and uses the CE mark

Equipment certified under EU ATEX can still be sold in GB during the transition, but UK Approved Bodies (formerly UK Notified Bodies) must be used for new certifications targeting the GB market.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Placing non-compliant equipment on the EU market can result in:

• Product recalls and withdrawal from the market
• Fines (vary by member state, can reach hundreds of thousands of euros)
• Criminal prosecution in cases of gross negligence or willful violation
• Liability for damages if equipment causes an explosion or injury

Market surveillance authorities conduct inspections and can request technical documentation at any time. Failure to provide documentation within a reasonable timeframe (typically 10 days) is itself a violation.

Summary: Key Takeaways

1. ATEX 2014/34/EU is mandatory for placing explosion-protected equipment on the EU market.
2. Categorization (1/2/3 for Group II) determines conformity assessment requirements and zone suitability.
3. CE marking + ATEX symbol are legal proof of conformity.
4. Notified Bodies are required for Category 1/M1 and most Category 2 equipment.
5. Harmonized standards (EN 60079 series) provide the technical path to compliance.
6. Technical documentation must be maintained for 10 years.
7. Employers must comply with Directive 1999/92/EC (workplace) in addition to using ATEX-compliant equipment.

Related Topics

• ATEX vs IECEx — Comparison of EU and international certification systems
• Certification Process — How equipment gets certified, Notified Bodies, and test reports
• Standards Overview — IEC 60079, EN 60079, and regional variations
• Equipment Protection Levels — Understanding Ga/Gb/Gc and how they map to zones