Directive 2014/34/EU, Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX): product conformity assessment and technical/regulatory support

The Atex Directive relates to electrical and non-electrical equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, and safety devices, controlling devices and regulating devices intended for use outside potentially explosive atmospheres but required for or contributing to the safe functioning of the said equipment and systems. It requires products to meet the essential health and safety requirements laid down in the directive.

The assessment procedures to be followed in order to demonstrate conformity depend on product category as classified in the directive and correlated to the level of protection provided. Many of these procedures require the involvement of a notified body, such as IMQ.

Support provided by IMQ in its capacity as a notified body for the ATEX directiveX

IMQ can support both manufacturers of equipment for which the involvement of a notified body is not required and manufacturers of equipment for which conformity assessment by a third-party body is mandatory.

IMQ is authorised for all conformity assessment procedures and can also offer the following services:

Special tests on equipment according to the individual paragraphs of the harmonised standard
Technical/regulatory support with interpretation of ATEX standards
Issuance of voluntary certification for category 3 products

The main product families for which IMQ operates are: installation materials and system components; electronic devices; lighting devices; rotating machinery and related driven machines, brakes, pumps, compressors, fans, etc.; non-electrical equipment (filters, stirrers, cylinders, turbines, skids, protective systems, etc.); ventilation equipment; measuring and control instruments for industrial processes.

Other services for the ATEX sector

As a certification body and testing laboratory recognised by IECEx for the issuance of ExCB certificates and ExTR test reports to businesses interested in exporting their products, IMQ can issue Certificates of Conformity (CoC) and Quality Assessment Reports (QAR), and approve Test Reports (ExTR) within the framework of the IECEx02 scheme.

Management system certification is the endorsement enjoyed by organisations that have chosen to equip themselves with efficient management systems and suitable skills and structures, aimed at continuous improvement. And the higher the prestige of the awarding body, the higher the value of the guarantee. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, our laboratories have full capability to put products through all the checks required by the major European directives and international standards. The certifications issued by IMQ are synonymous with trust. They guarantee safety, performance, efficiency and quality standards. More than 10,000 companies have turned to IMQ to certify their products and stand out on the market. Notified body for the main EU directives, IMQ offers tests and CE certifications to assess the conformity of the products to the requirements required to be marketed on the European market. Inspections and audits validate the conformity of electrical installations, equipment, supplies and services with the applicable technical and legislative specifications. IMQ is leader in Europe in the conformity assessment activity, technical partner chosen by Ministries and Authorities for market control purposes. IMQ is a brand recognized by the market as a synonym of safety and quality, and an internationally recognized partner, a valued member of the main international regulatory work groups. All IMQ personnel are required to strictly observe professional secrecy. IMQ has been working for 70 years trying to anticipate the future, to make the present safer.