When manufacturers of hazardous locations (HazLoc) equipment consider distribution to countries other than the USA and Canada, it’s important to understand the advantages of compliance with the EU ATEX Directive and the international IECEx scheme. Depending on the country, both systems’ test reports (TR) can act as a basis for issuing national certifications.
ATEX is a regional scheme (EU only). It is also accepted in some other countries as a basis for issuing the national certification.
IECEx is an international certification scheme. While it is not yet widely accepted (currently Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore only), the IECEx TR is accepted by all ExCBs within member countries as a basis for issuing the national certification.
ATEX vs. IECEx
ATEX Directive
· Performed by a Notified Body
· Quality System is evaluated to ISO/IEC 80079-34 (ISO9001 with additional requirements to tie QA system into the ATEX Directive)
· Results in the Notified Body issuing a “Quality Assurance Notification (QAN)” and allows the use of the Notified Body ID Number on equipment markings
IECEx Scheme
· Performed by an Ex Certification Body (ExCB)
· Quality System is evaluated to ISO/IEC 80079-34 Explosive Atmospheres — Part 34: Application of quality management systems for Ex Product manufacture
· Additional requirements to tie QA system into the IECEx Scheme
· Results in the Notified Body issuing a “Quality Assurance Report (ExQAR)” and registration in the online system
HazLoc GMA
Brazil – INMETRO
· Based on IECEx certification/report
· Local representative required
· Initial factory inspection may be waived if a valid QAR is provided
· Maintenance audit is required at 1.5 years; may involve site audit
· Manual in Portuguese
· Validity: 3 years
China – CCC Ex Certification
· Based on IECEx certification/report
· Initial factory inspection required
· Annual follow-up factory audit required
· Manual in Simplified Chinese
· Validity: 5 years
India – PESO Approval
· Based on IECEx or ATEX certification/report
· Local representative required
· Initial factory inspection may be waived if a valid QAR/QAN is provided
· Annual follow-up factory audit not required
· Validity: 5 years
Russia – EAC Ex Certification
· In-country testing, with IECEx or ATEX certification/report as reference
· Local representative required
· Initial factory inspection required
· Annual factory audit (based on documentation only)
· Manual in Russian
· Validity: 5 years
South Korea – KCs Ex Certification
· Based on IECEx certification/report or some ATEX certifications
· Initial factory inspection may be waived if a valid QAR is provided
· Starting 2020, annual factory audit changed to every 2 years
· Samples may be required for verification
· Manual in Korean
· Validity: maintained with factory audit
South Africa – IA Certificate
· Based on IECEx or ATEX certification/report
· Initial factory inspection may be waived if a valid QAR/QAN is provided
· Follow-up factory audit not required
· Certification is issued to manufacturer but can be extended to local importer
· Validity: 3 years
HazLoc Products with Wireless Technology
The contemporary multitude of wireless technologies has formed a set of sophisticated and secured communication protocols. These have transformed how industry communicates and facilitated the safe use of wireless technologies in industrial monitoring and control, and asset management applications.
Compared to traditional wired systems and on-site monitoring processes, wireless technologies can provide a cost-effective, simple, and reliable solution for industrial measurement and control with the advantages of an asset-light operation. End users can also avoid many of the failure modes associated with wired systems.
Almost all countries have mandatory certification systems in place for wireless (RF) products. A manufacturer of products with wireless capabilities will need to obtain either RF type approval, homologation letters, or DoC/CoC’s, depending on the country-specific regulations, in order to legally sell their products in target markets.
Brazil – ANATEL Homologation
· In-country testing required
· Local representative required
· Manual in Portuguese
· Validity: 2 years
China – SRRC Radio Type Approval
· In-country testing required
· Certification issued to manufacturer
· Manual in Simplified Chinese
· Validity: 5 years
India – WPC DoC
· Documentation-based application process
· May reference CE/FCC test report
· Local representative required
· Validity: Unlimited
Russia – FAC DoC
· Documentation-based application process
· May reference CE RED test report
· Local representative required
· Validity: 3/5 years
South Korea – KCC Certification
· In-country testing required
· Validity: Unlimited
South Africa – ICASA Type Approval
· Documentation-based application process
· May reference CE RED/FCC test report
· Local representative required
· Validity: Unlimited