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ATEX is derived from the French expression for explosive atmospheres. The directive is a product-safety framework, not a general operating permit or approval issued by an authority. The manufacturer demonstrates conformity using the applicable assessment procedure.

The directive also covers protective systems, certain safety, controlling and regulating devices, and components. It is not enough simply to ask whether a product will be used in a hazardous area. Its function, ignition sources, exclusions and intended market or own use must also be assessed.

• Equipment may include machinery, electrical apparatus, control components and detection or prevention systems with their own potential ignition sources.
• Protective systems stop an incipient explosion or limit its effects.
• Safety, controlling and regulating devices outside the hazardous area are covered where they are required for, or contribute to, safe functioning with respect to explosion risks.
• Components have no autonomous function but are essential to the safe functioning of equipment or protective systems. They require an attestation of conformity, not CE marking under ATEX itself.

• Medical devices intended for use in a medical environment.
• Products where the explosion hazard results exclusively from explosive substances or unstable chemical substances.
• Domestic, non-commercial equipment where an explosive atmosphere can arise only rarely, solely from accidental fuel-gas leakage.
• Personal protective equipment covered by its own EU framework.
• Seagoing vessels, mobile offshore units and equipment on board them.
• Specified means of transport. Vehicles intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere are not excluded by this transport provision.
• Products covered by Article 346(1)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The manufacturer selects and completes the applicable conformity assessment procedure, prepares technical documentation and provides the required instructions and marking. For products other than components, this includes an EU declaration of conformity and CE marking. easyCE helps turn the requirements into a clear assessment plan and a traceable technical file.

• Prevent the formation or release of explosive atmospheres where this is part of the product’s function and design.
• Prevent ignition from electrical and non-electrical sources.
• Where necessary, limit explosion effects to an acceptable level through appropriate protection.

The assessment also addresses foreseeable misuse, maintenance, environmental conditions and the information needed for safe installation and use. Warnings do not replace protective measures that should be built into the design.

It is distinct from the manufacturer’s ATEX product assessment. A workplace zone does not by itself establish that a product is suitable: the equipment category, gas or dust group, temperature limits and installation conditions must also match the application.

• For zones 0 and 20, the workplace directive specifies Category 1 equipment.
• For zones 1 and 21, Category 1 or 2 equipment is specified.
• For zones 2 and 22, Category 1, 2 or 3 equipment is specified.

These selection rules apply unless the explosion protection document, based on a risk assessment, states otherwise. The product must also be suitable for the actual substances and operating conditions.

• Zone 0: present continuously, for long periods or frequently.
• Zone 1: likely to occur occasionally in normal operation.
• Zone 2: not likely to occur in normal operation, and lasting only briefly if it does occur.

A competent workplace assessment determines the zone and its extent. A generic example of a machine or room cannot replace an assessment of releases, ventilation and operating conditions.

• Zone 20: present continuously, for long periods or frequently.
• Zone 21: likely to occur occasionally in normal operation.
• Zone 22: not likely to occur in normal operation, and lasting only briefly if it does occur.

• Category M1 and Category 1 equipment normally require EU type-examination with production-process quality assurance or product verification.
• Category M2 and Category 2 electrical equipment and internal combustion engines normally require EU type-examination with supervised product testing or product quality assurance.
• Other Category M2 and Category 2 equipment uses internal production control, with the technical documentation deposited with a notified body.
• Category 3 equipment uses internal production control.
• Unit verification is an alternative route provided by the directive. Protective systems follow the applicable protective-system procedure.

Components follow the relevant assessment procedure but receive a written attestation of conformity instead of an ATEX EU declaration of conformity and CE marking. The manufacturer keeps the required documentation for ten years after the product is placed on the market.

Relevant standard families include EN IEC 60079 for electrical explosion protection and EN ISO 80079-36 and EN ISO 80079-37 for non-electrical equipment. EN 1127-1 addresses explosion prevention and protection principles. The correct standards, editions and published restrictions must be checked for the actual product; a generic list is not evidence of conformity.