{"id":11517,"date":"2026-07-14T11:57:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T09:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analytical-group.com\/?p=11517"},"modified":"2026-07-14T12:31:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:31:16","slug":"atex-certification-accredited-testing-for-products-in-explosive-atmospheres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analytical-group.com\/en\/news-en\/atex-certification-accredited-testing-for-products-in-explosive-atmospheres","title":{"rendered":"ATEX Certification: accredited testing for products used in explosive atmospheres"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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When a piece of equipment is intended to operate in an environment where explosive mixtures of gases, vapours, or dust may form, its placement on the European market almost always goes through a single regulatory reference point: ATEX certification. <\/strong><\/h5>
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The term ATEX<\/strong> (from the French ATmosph\u00e8res EXplosibles<\/em>) refers to Directive 2014\/34\/EU<\/strong>, which sets out the essential safety requirements for equipment and protective systems intended for use in such conditions, and which translates in practice into the Ex marking applied to the product.

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Obtaining ATEX certification isn’t simply a matter of “passing a test”: it means building a solid technical file, in which every declared safety characteristic is backed by objective, repeatable evidence. And it’s precisely at this stage, the technical demonstration of compliance, that much of the success (or the delays) of a certification path is decided.<\/div>

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Why product classification isn’t enough<\/strong><\/h4>
Equipment intended for potentially explosive atmospheres requires a rigorous verification approach. In these contexts, compliance depends not only on correctly classifying the product according to ATEX requirements, but also on the ability to demonstrate, through appropriate technical testing, that the equipment maintains its safety characteristics over time.

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Among the most critical aspects to verify are:

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Parameter<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/td>
What it verifies<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr>
Surface temperature<\/div><\/div><\/td>
That the product does not become a source of ignition during operation<\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr>
Impact and drop resistance<\/div><\/div><\/td>
The mechanical robustness of the enclosure under real operating conditions<\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr>
Degree of protection of the enclosure (IP)<\/div><\/div><\/td>
The ability to prevent the ingress of dust and water<\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr>
Dust and water sealing<\/div><\/div><\/td>
The retention of protective properties over time<\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr>
Thermal resistance of materials<\/div><\/div><\/td>
Material behaviour under extreme climatic conditions<\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr>
Insulation and dielectric strength<\/div><\/div><\/td>
The electrical safety of the product<\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
It is precisely these parameters, verified in the laboratory, that provide the technical evidence on which the product’s ATEX conformity assessment is then based.<\/div>

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The role of accredited testing in the path toward ATEX certification<\/strong><\/h4>
Analytical<\/strong> supports manufacturers, designers, and quality managers with accredited testing based on the IEC\/EN 60079 series<\/strong>, the technical regulatory foundation on which ATEX certification itself is built. The scope of accreditation covers specific parts of the standard series and, within these, specific test clauses: for this reason, the verification plan is always defined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the product, the intended protection method, and the applicable technical requirements.<\/div>

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Accredited activities cover testing on equipment for explosive atmospheres and on certain protection methods, including:<\/div>