IEC Launches Mark of Conformity for Explosive Industry - Ex Mark

February 26, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

This Ex safety mark will be granted by approved IECEx certifiers (ExCBs) located in IECEx participating countries for equipment that is covered by an IECEx certificate of conformity and was tested and manufactured under systems that are under ongoing surveillance by ExCBs.

It will help governments, safety regulators and industry be assured that the equipment being operated or supplied for use in areas where flammable gases and vapours and combustible dusts (termed explosive atmospheres) meets IEC safety standards.

Explosive or 'Ex' environments include grain silos, hospitals, petrochemical installations and petrol pumps - any situation where the equipment being operated could be exposed to a potential explosive environment, where combustible substances are used or stored or where there is or might be a rich, gaseous inflammable environment, said the IEC.

People come into contact with Ex environments on a regular basis, such as at automotive refueling stations, aircraft refueling, with surface coatings such as paint applications and food processing.

With the annual value of the Ex market put at billions of U.S. dollars in new equipment (not including the Ex Services market such as repair and overhaul), the IEC launched the new mark of conformity to help enable a specialized market help differentiate itself and to facilitate commerce in a regulated marketplace, said the IEC.

The IEC's international conformity assessment services include:

• IECEx certified equipment program -
  • IECEx certificates of conformity (CoCs).
  • IECEx test and assessment reports (ExTRs).
  • IECEx quality assessment reports (QARs).
• IECEx Certified Services Program -
  • Covering Ex repair and overhaul workshops.
• IECEx Conformity Mark System.

Source: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).