ATEX CERTIFICATE

ATEX consists of the abbreviation of the initials of the English words “Atmospheres Explosives”. By definition, it is a legislation that creates a safe working environment for those working in flammable, explosive and explosive environments and sets the standards for the equipment that should be used in these environments. ATEX is a European Union standard and has been implemented since 2003. In Turkey, the ATEX legislation was enacted by the Ministry of Labor under the name of “Regulation on the Protection of Employees from the Hazards of Explosive Environments” and has been implemented in our country since 2013.

The scope of ATEX is divided into two. The first of these covers the measures to be applied to protect the personnel working in flammable, combustible and explosive environments from possible dangers. The second is the certification of equipment used in flammable, combustible and explosive environments, including product safety and CE certification, within the scope of 2014/34/EU regulation.

In order to determine the safety working criteria of personnel working in flammable and explosive atmospheres, enterprises should make their working areas comply with the criteria in this regulation by referring to the “Regulation on the Protection of Employees from the Hazards of Explosive Environments” of the Ministry of Labor. Locations of explosive atmospheres are classified and investigations are made. (Electrical explosion sources, sparks, combustible materials, electrostatic discharge, surfaces caused by friction, etc.)

Companies that produce explosive, flammable and combustible materials are obliged to obtain ATEX certificate. It is extremely important for these companies to put the CE mark, which is an internationally valid quality standard, on their products. Although the scope of the ATEX document is wide, it includes all equipment used and located in explosive atmospheres. (personal protectors, control equipment, protection devices and devices, etc.) Although the scope of the ATEX certificate is wide, the certification processes take a long time due to the test and test results to be applied on the equipment.