IECEx

The system counted 30 member countries, a total of 66 ExCBs (Ex Certifications Bodies) and 43 Ex Testing Laboratories at the end of 2010. Of the 66 ExCBs, 39 were for Equipment, 10 for Service Facilities, 14 for Conformity Mark Licensing System and 3 for Personnel Certification.

 

UNECE endorsement

 

The UN (United Nations) through the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) agency, formally endorsed the use of IECEx.

 

The UNECE formally approved the new UN CRO (Common Regulatory Objectives) associated with the SIEEE (Sectoral Initiative on Equipment for Explosive Environments). The initiative endorses the use of the internationally-recognized certification system, IECEx, to promote the safety of equipment, services and personnel associated with explosive areas.

 

The UNECE CRO model is open to all UN Member States. Countries that have no “normative framework” in place covering the Ex Sector (equipment and services for use in potentially explosive environments) can use the CRO as a blueprint for legislation. If countries already have such a framework, they could consider aligning or converging with this international model. Benefits of national alignment with the CRO model includes a greater level of industry and government confidence in compliance of Ex-related equipment and services with internationally accepted best practice standards such as the IEC 60079 series.

Personnel Certification

 

In 2010, the first ExCBs were approved to issue certificates under the IECEx Certification of Personnel Competencies Scheme. In July, the world’s first IECEx Certificate of Personnel Competence was issued to a person located in the UK.

 

This personal and non-transmittable certificate offers independent proof to any potential employer that this person has the required qualifications and experience to work on, or repair, electrical equipment located in hazardous areas. It provides a clear competitive advantage to people who work in this field, and, for the very first time, gives companies a tool to ensure that contractors who work on or repair their equipment in explosive environments have the competency to do so. This need was repeatedly expressed by the oil and gas industry which resulted in this new type of certification.

 

Unit verification now part of IECEx services

 

In 2010, the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme has integrated unit verification certification as part of its programme. Unit verification is the process of verifying the design of single items of equipment – or, in some cases, limited quantities of items – providing assurance that items comply with the requirements of specified standards.

 

Unit verification certificates not only detail the standard that the product or assembly meets but also the unique serial number or other unique identifier that enables customers to know with certainty that the item delivered is the right one. If the manufacturer produces another identical unit at a later stage, it will not be covered by the certificate because it has not been tested and verified by a certification body, regardless of its being exactly the same product.