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ATEX
ATEX Directive
The ATEX Directive addresses equipment and protective systems intended for use in, or in conjunction with, potentially explosive atmospheres. The scope of the directive includes safety devices, controlling devices and regulating devices. Also subject to ATEX Directive requirements is equipment intended for use outside potentially explosive atmospheres but required for, for contributing to, the safe functioning of equipment and protective systems.
The ATEX Directive became available for use in March 1996 mandatory on July 1, 2003. The ATEX Directive is a New Approach directive for CE Marking and replaces three Old Approach directives- 76/117/EEC, 79/196/EEC (9) and 82/130/EEC.
Each of these directives requires that
- Paperwork shows compliance with the directive(s)
- Reference is made to the harmonized standards to which the equipment conforms
- CE Marking is accompanied by a Declaration of Conformity
- Technical file is available from the manufacturer or its authorized European representative
We help with the following:
- ATEX approval or an explosion risk-related analysis
- Assistance in defining equipment groups and categories
- Support in creating Ex-Proof documentation (also required by the ATEX 137 and BetrSichV) and also by interpreting measures to improve workers' safety
- Testing and certification for protection/detection equipment and systems
- Assistance in completing hazard analysis and risk assessments on equipment and machines (e.g. application of the RASE guideline for determining the potential ignition source, as well as the consequences involved with mechanical or electrical equipment and protective systems).
For detailed information on ATEX see articles in Market Access.
CE Marking and Airborne Noise Emission
The European Commission has identified airborne noise in the environment as one of the main local environmental problems in Europe. Requirements for airborne noise emissions by equipment for use outdoors needs to be harmonized. At the same time a high level of environmental and consumer protection needs to be achieved, without creating any obstacles for the free movement of the equipment within the EU market.
Directive 2000/14/EC regulates the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors. It will be mandatory to comply with Directive 2000/14/EC starting January 3, 2002. The Directive covers various types of equipment for use outdoors, which are divided into two groups:
- Equipment subject to noise limits (article 12)
- Equipment subject to noise marking only (article 13)
The manufacturer, or his authorized representative, placing the equipment on the market shall be responsible for ensuring that the equipment is in conformity with the provisions of the Directive and any other Directives that apply to it. The manufacturer is offered different modules regarding conformity assessment procedures (i.e., Annex V-VIII). For equipment subject to noise limits (article 12), a notified body has to check conformity with the Directive's provisions in both the design phase and production phase.
Equipment subject to noise limits (Article 12)
Builder's hoists for the transport of goods (combustion engine driven)
- Compaction machines
- Compressors (< 350kW)
- Concrete breakers and picks (handheld)
- Construction winches (combustion engine driven)
- Dozers (< 500kW)
- Dumpers (< 500kW)
- Excavators, hydraulic or rope operated (< 500kW)
- Excavator-loaders (< 500kW)
- Graders (< 500kW)
- Hydraulic power packs
- Landfill compactors, loader type with bucket (< 500kW)
- Lawnmowers
- Lawn trimmers / lawn edge trimmers
- Lift trucks, combustion engine driven (counterbalanced)
- Loaders (< 500kW)
- Mobile cranes
- Motor hoes (< 3kW)
- Paver finishers
- Power generators (< 400kW)
- Tower cranes
- Welding generators
Whether the product is listed under article 12, or article 13, the manufacturer, or his authorized representative, must ensure that the equipment is marked with their certified guaranteed sound power level and issue an EC Declaration of Conformity. A copy of every EC Declaration of Conformity must be sent to the responsible authority of the member state in which the equipment is placed on the market. A copy must also be sent to the European Commission in Brussels to enable them to monitor noise levels. Some equipment was already subject to noise limits as laid down in previous EU Directives.
- Directives repealed and replaced by 2000/14/EC
- Directive 79/113/EEC
- Directive 84/532/EEC
- Directive 84/533/EEC
- Directive 84/534/EEC
- Directive 84/535/EEC
- Directive 84/536/EEC
- Directive 84/537/EEC
- Directive 84/538/EEC
- Directive 86/662/EEC
In cases where machinery does not fall into the scope of the EU Directive 2000/14/EC, it will still be expected to meet the required European noise emission regulations, e.g., 98/37/EC (Machinery Directive).
TUV Rheinland has the capability to provide state-of-the-art sound testing and technical experts with the understanding of these requirements. If you are a machinery manufacturer and are unsure of how these requirements affect you, please feel free to contact us.
TUV Rheinland can offer the entire scope of services for all legally required certifications, and more.
CE Marking for all Types of Products
SOP39 Assessments
Our joint team of TUV Rheinland engineers and certified industrial hygienists can perform a SPO39 assessment onsite. Our team members are heavily experienced in electrical/mechanical safety, ergonomics, chemical exposure assessments, ventilation, noise, ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation, lasers, environmental impact assessments, and other areas of expertise by the SOP39 Guideline.
More information on SEMI Services.
