Is ATEX part of CE ?

Is ATEX part of CE?

The safety of products is of paramount importance in today's global market. To ensure the safety of equipment and protective systems used in potentially explosive atmospheres, the European Union has introduced the ATEX Directive. Alongside ATEX, there is another prominent certification - CE marking. But are these two certifications interconnected? In this article, we will delve into the technical aspects of ATEX and CE, exploring their scope, requirements, and synergy.

CE marking, also known as the Conformité Européene mark, is a certification that indicates conformity with essential health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA). It is mandatory for various product categories, including machinery, electrical equipment, medical devices, and construction products. CE marking ensures that products meet specific legal requirements and can be freely traded within the EEA without additional checks or restrictions. It signifies that the manufacturer assumes responsibility for compliance with all applicable EU directives concerning the product being placed on the market.

While ATEX and CE certifications serve different purposes, they are closely linked together for certain equipment meant to operate in potentially explosive atmospheres. ATEX certification is mandatory for the "equipment" or "protective systems" under the ATEX Directive, whereas CE marking is mandatory for products sold within the EEA.

If a product falls under both the ATEX Directive and another applicable EU directive requiring CE marking, manufacturers must meet the requirements of both directives simultaneously. This means that manufacturers need to ensure their equipment meets the ATEX standards for its intended use in explosive atmospheres, as well as the specific EU directive requirements associated with CE marking.

In conclusion, ATEX and CE certifications are closely connected, as they both ensure the safety of products. However, they serve different purposes and have different requirements. Manufacturers must ensure that their equipment meets both the ATEX and CE standards, as required by applicable laws and regulations.