It is time for the industry to step up its safety game and insist on independent third-party certification for ATEX.  For that extra peace of mind do not be content with a manufacturer’s self-certification argues Nick Wakley, Quality Manager at Air Control Industries.

While manufacturers are legally accountable for the entire ATEX certification process and the vast majority are responsible, the bigger question is who is policing the process – or are we waiting for the disastrous consequences of something going wrong? 

This contrasts with equipment that meets the global standard IECEx where the manufacturer must get a certificate from a third party. The process involves an annual audit of the company management system by accredited third-party auditors.

Getting an independent testing organisation involved ensures that the correct manufacturing and quality approval procedures are in place. And because they lend their name to the certificate, then they will check that any new products, product variants or changes to manufacture remain compliant.

The very act of a supplier’s entire management system being audited, including design, manufacturing and testing processes, creates the right safety culture within a company.  Employees work to an agreed logical sequence of events, using established designs and procedures to ensure that they check everything.

In the short term if you are specifying equipment for explosive atmospheres you can and should check for an internationally recognised third party name or logo on a supplier’s ATEX certificate.  It should already be present on an IECEx certification, it’s about time that as an industry we follow this example with ATEX.

The bigger question that professionals who work with or in explosive atmospheres need to ask is who says it is safe?  If a supplier can show and prove that its products and systems have third party certification, then they have demonstrated how important safety is in their culture, and you can rest assured that their systems and products really are up to standard.

To find out more about explosion-proof fans visit
www.aircontrolindustries.com/HES
or if you have a project and need some advice, contact us at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
or telephone +44 1297 529242.