Term used to describe the legal requirement for explosive atmospheres in Europe (or a contract specification outside Europe). May refer to equipment (ATEX 95) or the Protection of Workers from Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX 137) depending on the context.

Equipment that has been certified for use in a Potentially Explosive Atmosphere. Pre-ATEX only covered electrical ignitions and gas atmospheres. ‘Ex’ equipment can be ignition capable if the concept is designed to contain an explosion, such as Ex’d’

The likelihood that ignition sources will be present and become active and effective, the installations, work processes and substances used their possible interactions and the scale of the anticipated effects.

The likelihood that explosive atmospheres will occur and their persistence. Places that are or can be connected via openings to places in which explosive atmospheres may occur shall be taken into account in assessing explosion risks.

A location where an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of with air or flammable substances in the form of a gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long periods.

A location where an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of with air or flammable substances in the form of a gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

A location where an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of with air or flammable substances in the form of a gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation occasionally but if it does will occur will only persist for a short period only.

A location where an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of with air or flammable substances in the form of dust is present continuously or for long periods.

A location where an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of with air or flammable substances in the form of dust is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

A location where an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of with air or flammable substances in the form of dust is not likely to occur in normal operation occasionally but if it does will occur will only persist for a short period only.

ATEX, AEx and IEC Equipment are identified with a temperature class. It is either identified by a ‘T’ rating or by a temperature in degrees C. The temperature class identifies the hottest temperature that the equipment can obtain. This can be a either the inside or the outside of the equipment depending on the protection concept.

The Machinery Directive is a European CE Directive concerned with the mechanical and electrical safety of machines (where the mechanical risk is greater than the electrical risk- if the electrical risk is greater, use the Low Voltage Directive). The Machinery Directive is largely based on Risk Assessment and use of EU Standards for critical features such as guards and emergency stops.

Conformity European- indicates that a product complies will all current European Directives (and normally the applicable European Standards) at the ‘current’ state (on the day it was put in to supply). CE is NOT a safety mark; it is a passport system for accessing markets in Europe.