An industry perspective on the ATEX directives is given by the Institute of Measurement & Control:
The new European ATEX directives, which become mandatory on 1st July 2003 for those whose operations involve 'hazardous areas' and potentially 'explosive atmospheres', have added significantly to equipment manufacturers' costs which, states a special report published by The Institute of Measurement & Control, are 'difficult to justify in a market which generally accounts for only one third of the UK's total output'.
The Report, comprising a series of papers by leading industry experts, provides a comprehensive perspective on the impact of ATEX on manufacturers, installers, maintenance personnel and certifying bodies. From the UK manufacturers' perspective, the added administration costs of ATEX compliance in what they see as an already well-regulated European market is disproportionate to its value on the global scale.
Chris Towle of Measurement Technology points out that UK manufacturers of hazardous area equipment generally operate in three major sectors - Europe, the Americas and the Asiatic countries, with other parts of the world providing a smaller but significant market. Europe, he states, generally accounted for about a third of the total output – "a factor which tends not to be recognised when 'Brussels' is deciding what is 'good' for manufacturers."
Additional cost 'difficult to justify':
Ian Clasper from GAMBICA, adds that the additional cost to manufacturers "is difficult to justify when the world market can be more important" with some specialist manufacturers of hazardous area equipment exporting up to 80% of their production outside the European Economic Area (EEA). However, the cost of regulatory compliance outside the EEA was also high and, with the need for multiple certification, "it is ultimately the customer who pays in unnecessarily high equipment costs," writes Mr Clasper.
The two directives - the ATEX 95 equipment safety directive and the ATEX 137 directive concerning the protection of workers in explosive atmospheres - includes a new focus on 'mechanical equipment' in gas atmospheres and all equipment in dust atmospheres where standards and practices are not so well developed as those for electrical and instrumentation equipment in gas atmospheres.
ATEX - not just an electrical concern:
David Stefanowicz of the Electrical Contractors' Association comments: "I am not convinced that the mechanical fraternity is quite so conversant with the new requirement placed upon them. Many appear to think that ATEX is just an 'electrical' concern and does not affect them - and the Government does not appear to be doing much to dispel this theory."
There is also uncertainty for installers regarding pre-ATEX spares. Equipment parts manufactured and placed in stock before 1st July are not required to be ATEX certified. However, David Stefanowicz warns installers to be vigilant in verifying the age of their equipment and to be aware that the law gives no dispensation for emergencies or loss of production.
Although recognising the positive elements embodied in the ATEX directives, The Institute of Measurement & Control continues to support the ideal of having one regulatory certificate acceptable world wide. To this end, collaboration among UK manufacturers, end-users and certification bodies has seen the development of the IECEx Certification Scheme which uses international standards.
The UK industry wants to see IECEx adopted world-wide and, in particular, its full convergence with ATEX 95. Meanwhile, the industry looks to the legislators to resolve their differences.
The Institute of Measurement & Control
c/o Measurement Technology Ltd.,
Power Court, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 3JJ
Tel: 01582 723633
Fax: 01582 422283