▪ GENERALITIES
Two directives are mandatory since 1st July 2003
- the ATEX 95 equipment directive 94/9/EC
- the ATEX 137 workplace directive 99/92/EC

ATEX gets its name from the french 94/9/EC directive title: « Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosibles (ATmosphere Explosible) The goal of hese directives is to protect the employees of the companies where explosion risks exist. They also facilitate free trade in the EU. 

▪ EQUIPMENT CONCERNED
all equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres:
electrical
mechanical
protective systems

Testing and certification are done by a third-party certification body.