ATEX stands for Atmospheres Explosibles.
This term is an abbreviation for the ATEX Directive, which refers to two European Union (EU) directives concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The name itself, "Atmospheres Explosibles," directly reflects the focus of these regulations.
The primary goal of the ATEX Directive is to ensure the free movement of goods within the EU while also guaranteeing a high level of safety for workers in areas where explosive atmospheres may be present. It sets essential health and safety requirements for products like equipment and protective systems used in these hazardous environments.
Key aspects related to ATEX:
- Purpose: To protect workers and the public from explosions in environments containing flammable gases, vapours, mists, or dusts that, when mixed with air, could ignite.
- Scope: The directives apply to electrical and non-electrical equipment and protective systems used in these hazardous zones.
- Compliance: Manufacturers must ensure their products meet the ATEX requirements before placing them on the market in the EU. This often involves rigorous testing and certification by a third-party notified body.
- User Obligations: Employers operating in potentially explosive atmospheres must identify and classify hazardous areas (zones) and ensure that only ATEX-certified equipment appropriate for that zone is used.
Understanding what ATEX stands for – "Atmospheres Explosibles" – provides a direct clue to the critical safety regulations it represents within the European Union for industrial environments.
