A potentially explosive atmosphere exists when a mixture of air gases, vapours, mists, or dusts combine in a way that can ignite under certain operating conditions.
Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) cover a range of products, including those used on fixed offshore platforms, petrochemical plants, mines, and flour mills, amongst others.
EU legislation and ATEX
The ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU covers equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The directive defines the essential health and safety requirements and conformity assessment procedures, to be applied before products are placed on the EU market. It is aligned with the new legislative framework policy, and it is applicable from 20 April 2016, replacing the previous Directive 94/9/EC.
A guidance document on the ATEX directive transition from 94/9/EC to 2014/34/EU (371 KB) is available, with a list of frequently asked questions and answers.
Who implements the directive?
National authorities are responsible for implementing the directive in the EU by transposing its provisions into their legislation. These texts have direct effect in the first instance. As a result, EU countries and others who apply the directive’s requirements are responsible for implementation and enforcement, as well as the management of notified bodies.
With national legislation directly affecting manufacturers and other economic operators, it is recommended to discuss specific issues they may have with national contact points (see below).
Where can I find further guidance or support?
Guidance documents are approved by the formal ATEX Expert Group and made available to assist those who need to apply the directive.
These resulted from cooperation between various stakeholders. The continuous revision of guidance documents is carried out by the ATEX working parties based on their analysis of issues that continue to arise, in the course of implementing the directive.
The ATEX working parties comprise the Committee, the Expert Group, the Administrative Cooperation (AdCo) group and the European Coordination of Notified Bodies Group (ExNBG).
- Fifth edition of the ATEX 2014/34/EU guidelines (5 MB), issued in April 2024
- French translation of the Guide to application of the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU (Please note that this is a third-party translation and the Commission accepts no responsibility or liability for its contents).
- German translation of the Guide to application of the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU (Please note that this is a third-party translation and the Commission accepts no responsibility or liability for its contents).
Standardisation for ATEX
European harmonised standards for Directive 2014/34/EU are produced by the European Standardisation Organisations
- the European Committee for Standardization - CEN (technical committee CEN/TC 305) and
- the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization - CENELEC (technical committee CLC/TC 31).
Their references are published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
Notified bodies for ATEX
- List of notified bodies under Directive 2014/34/EU (NANDO information system)
- European coordination of ATEX notified bodies group (ExNBG)
- Chairperson: jasmin [dot] omerovic
ul [dot] com (jasmin[dot]omerovic[at]ul[dot]com) - Technical secretariat: hermann [dot] dinklervdtuev [dot] de (hermann[dot]dinkler[at]vdtuev[dot]de)
- Ex-NBG clarification sheets (4 MB) noted by the ATEX committee
- Chairperson: jasmin [dot] omerovic
What other directives are relevant?
The ATEX 'workplace' Directive 1999/92/EC deals with the minimum requirements for improving the level of health and safety protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.
This directive complements the responsibilities of manufacturers under Directive 2014/34/EU by setting out the responsibilities of employers. For its implementation, see the non-binding guide to good practice for implementing Directive 1999/92/EC.
The 'workplace' directive is under the responsibility of the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion.
More information
- Contact points (277 kB) and Market surveillance authorities (270 kB)
Unregulated certificates warning
Unregulated certificates, which are often called ‘voluntary certificates’ besides other names, are often issued for some products covered by EU harmonisation legislation by certification bodies not acting in their capacity as notified bodies under EU law. These practices are misleading since only notified bodies may issue certificates of compliance for harmonised products and only in the area for which they are notified. For example, if a body is notified to issue certificates for machinery, it should not issue certificates (voluntary or other) for non-machinery products (such as personal protective equipment – masks).
Please note that, under EU law, voluntary or other additional certificates are not a recognised means to prove compliance. Consequently, they have no value in the case of checks by market surveillance authorities or customs. However, an exception arises in instances where voluntary certification is outlined in specific legislation. In such cases, while the certificate is not obligatory, it must adhere to explicit requirements if chosen to be acquired.
Voluntary certificates can create the impression that the product conforms with applicable EU harmonisation legislation, although such certificates are not issued by an authorised body.
Voluntary certificates must not be confused with third-party conformity assessment certification by notified bodies within the area for of competence for which they are notified, due to the use of terms such as ‘certification’ or ‘independent third party’ or the presence of the CE marking on the certificate.
CE marking can only be affixed after testing the product and performing the conformity assessment procedure prescribed by the applicable EU harmonisation legislation. It is not acceptable for voluntary certificates to bear a CE marking.