C Agius IECEx Scheme Handout

IECEx
10 Years of Operation and Beyond
A Global Solution for the

Ex Field
Past and Present - Shanghai
6 September 2006
Chris Agius
IECEx Secretariat
07/05/24 Copyright 1
IECEx – Part of the IEC
 Scheme of the IEC – International Electrotechnical
Commission
 IEC formed in 1906
 Head Office in Geneva
 One of the International Standardisation Bodies
recognised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO),
others include ISO, ITU
 IEC Charter to promote International Standardisation in
the Electrotechnical Sectors.
The World of Standards
International:
International Electrotechnical Commission
International Organization for Standardization
International Telecommunication Union
International Organization of Legal Metrology
Regional:
Europe (e.g. CEN, CENELEC, ETSI)
National bodies/committees
What is the IEC?
 Founded in 1906 to promote international co-operation

on all questions of standardization and related matters
in the field of electrotechnology
Achieving the Mission
 To achieve this mission, the IEC

 Through its National Committee members,
 Through cooperative agreements, and
 Directly
 Encourages national use of IEC International

Standards and IEC Conformity Assessment Schemes
Functioning
National level
Industry Requirements
Government
Academia IEC National
Users Committee Members
Etc. Work items
Technical committees
Management committees
Expert
resources Standards output
Conformity Assessment
The IEC Family
 IEC Family: 135 countries

 66 Members
 69 Countries in Affiliate Country Programme
IEC Members Affiliates
IEC Organigram
IEC COUNCIL
National Committees
COUNCIL BOARD
MANAGEMENT CENTRAL
ADVISORY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICE
COMMITTEES Officers The Executive
STANDARDS
CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
SECTOR MANAGEMENT BOARD
BOARDS
BOARD
standards work
IECEE
TECHNICAL IECQ
TECHNICAL
ADVISORY
COMMITTEES
COMMITTEES IECEx
What is IECEx?
The single International IEC Scheme covering

Certification to Standards that relate to Apparatus for
Explosive Atmospheres, to provide an Internationally
accepted means of demonstrating claimed compliance
with International Standards
IECEx is a “Conformity Assessment Tool”

providing confidence that Products and Services
covered by an IECEx Certificate meet specified
requirements.
IECEx Scheme - Services
IECEx Scheme
Basic Rules IECEx 01
IECEx Certified Equipment IECEx Certified Service Facilities

Rules IECEx 02 Rules IECEx 03
A total Conformity Assessment Program that Assessment of Ex Repair and Overhaul

offers the Global Industry: Facilities that address:
- IECEx Test Report, ExTR - Repair Facilities + Equipment + Systems
- IECEx Quality Assessment Report, QAR - Competence of Repair Staff
- With ExTR + QAR achieved, an IECEx - An IECEx “On-Line” Certificate of
“On-Line” Certificate of Conformity, CoC Conformity, CoC dedicated to Ex Repair
What is Ex??????????????
In Short:
Ex can be considered as a means of ensuring the safe
use of equipment in areas where there is a potential
for an explosive concentration of gases and vapours or
combustible dusts to be present.
Ex Equipment – Where ???
Ex equipment is frequently found in these locations:
 Automotive refuelling stations or  Underground coal mines

petrol stations  Sewerage treatment plants
 Oil refineries, rigs and processing  Gas pipelines and distribution
plants
centres
 Chemical processing plants  Grain handling and storage
 Printing industries, paper and  Woodworking areas
textiles
 Sugar refineries
 Hospital operating theatres
 Metal surface grinding,
 Aircraft refuelling and hangars
especially aluminium dusts and
 Surface coating industries particles.
 Oil and gas tankers, drilling ship
and FPSO (Floating Production
Storage and Off-Loading
Vessels)
Ex Equipment – Where ??? IECEx
Why Have IECEx?
To eliminate or significantly reduce:
 Multiple/Re-Testing/Assessments
 Delays in accessing markets
 Obstacles that prevent access to new products and technology by

smaller markets.
 Un-Safe Practices + Lost Production (Down time)
Initial aim “The

facilitation of International Trade in Ex
Products, Systems and Services”, while
maintaining acceptable levels of Safety
IECEx Vision:
“To be the Global Centre of Excellence in the Ex field”

IECEx Core Assessment Areas
 Assessment of Ex Certification Bodies and
Test Laboratories to gain acceptance as
IECEx Bodies
 Compliance to ISO/IEC Guides + Standards (re Guide
65, 17025, IECEx rules, Technical Guidance Docs
 Technical capability – facility, personnel
 Compliance with IECEx procedures
 Assessment of Products and Services to

prove compliance with IEC International
Standards
 IEC Standards
 IECEx Quality System requirements
 IECEx rules, including marking
IECEx Scheme Documentation
Hierarchy
IECEx 01
IECEx Basic Rules Basic Rules
IECEx 02
Rules of Procedure –
Rules of Procedure Ex Equipment Certification
(Procedural Rules)
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
OD 003 (former ExMC/100/CD)
“How to” Manual (The How to Manual……)
SUPPORTINING OPERATIONAL + TECHNICAL

Procedures DOCUMENTS, eg
Technical Guidance Documents, TGDs
STANDARDISED FORMS, examples:

Forms OD 006 – Site assessment Report
OD 007 – Guide 65 Checklist and report form
OD 018 - 17025 OD Checklist and report form
IECEx Operations Manual OD 009
1
Receive
Application
2
Conduct contract review
3
3a N
Refer to applicant successful
4 Y 12
Develop test plan Prepare for IECEx Quality
Assessment
5 5a 13 13a
Previously Ensure Quality audit
Y Y Ensure
compliance with conducted within
tested compliance with
Annex A last 12 months Annex B
N
N
6 5b
obtain samples N 14
and conduct successful Assess Quality 13b
test/assessment Documentation with N
Y successful
requirements of
IECEx OD/005
7a 7 Y
report to N
successful
applicant
15a 15
Y Corrective action N
successful
by manufacturer
8 Y
Compile ExTR
16
9
Review of ExTR by
Conduct site audit
of manufacturer(s)
OD009 IECEx_OpsManual_Issued.d
oc
ExCB
19a
refer to audit staff or 17
applicant as necessary Compile QAR
10a 10
Refer to N
successful
ExTL 18
Y Independent
Review of QAR
11 20
IECEx Test Report 19
N Y QAR may be
www.iecex.com
(ExTR) may be successful issued to client
issued to applicant
21 23 24
22 Compile IECEx
Certification Y
successful Certificate of Review CoC for errors
review by ExCB
Conformity (CoC)
N
11a 22a 20a

refer to ExTL or 25
Copy of ExTR cover sheet ExCB personnel or N Copy of QAR details to
successful IECEx Secretary
sheet to IECEx Secretary applicant as
appropriate
Y
26 27
Issue IECEx Certificate Commence surveillance
of Conformity program
Figure 1 - IECEx Scheme Operations Overview
In the Beginning!!!
Prior to IECEx Manufacturers were subjected to differing testing
/certification requirements when accessing multiple markets.
Product Testing + Administrative Product enters
Factory Inspection Reviews Market
Manufacturer/ Applicant National
applies for Pass Y Certification Y Country A
certification/approval Achieved
N N
National
Pass Y Certification Y Country B
Achieved
N
N
National
Pass Y Certification Y Country C
Achieved
N
N
National
Pass Y Certification Y Country D
Achieved
N
N
National
Pass Y Certification Y Country n+
Achieved
N
N
Phase 1 of IECEx – Mandatory Acceptance
Thru a Single ExTL/ExCB assessment Process confidence has
been achieved to enable mutual recognition of testing and
assessment under IECEx – Fast Track to National Certification
Manufacturer/ Applicant National
National
Certification Y Country B
Achieved
REPEAT
TESTING & National
ASSESSMEN Certification
Achieved
Y Country C
T
National
REMOVED Certification
Achieved
Y Country D
National
Certification Y Country n+
Achieved
Full IECEx Certification – On-Line
IECEx Single TL + CB assessments PLUS Single
standardised Operational Rules + Industry / Regulatory
Support Full IECEx Certification is now possible
Manufacturer/ Applicant Full IECEx
Country B
Country C
Country D
Country n+
History of IECEx
 1992 – Questionnaire to IEC National Committees

 1996 – First meeting of the IECEx Management
Committee (ExCC)
 1997 – 1999 – First round of Peer assessments,
development of operational rules and forms
 1999 – Commence mutual acceptance of IECEx Test
Reports (ExTRs), to fast-track national certification
 2003 – IECEx internet based “On-Line” Certificates made
available
 2004 – Decision to expand Scope of IECEx operation to
include Services
 2005 – IECEx 03, Rules for Ex Repair Program Finalised
Certificate of Conformity versus
Test Report
Test Report:-
 What Information is being conveyed by a Test Report?
 Who is the legal owner of the Test Report?
 Should an End User have free access to a Test Report, how?
 How long is a test report Valid, after its issue?.
Certificate of Conformity (third Party according to ISO/IEC Guide 67)

 What Information is being conveyed by a Certificate?
 Who is the legal owner of the Certificate?
 Should an End User have free access to a Certificate, how?
 How long is a Certificate Valid, after its issue?
Meaning of an IECEx Certificate
of Conformity (IECEx CoC)
Question:
What does an ExCB Certify when issuing an IECEx CoC?
Answer:
The manufacturer’s capability to consistantly produce the
product/equipment, listed on the certificate to be in compliance with
the standards also listed on the Certificate.
IECEx 02: 2003 Clause 5.1 Extract:

“The certificate will attest that the equipment’s design conforms to the
relevant IEC standards and that the manufacturer is manufacturing the
product under a quality system and associated quality plan(s), meeting the
requirements of this Scheme and under the surveillance of an ExCB”.
IECEx Quality Based Certification – Based
on System No 5 of ISO/IEC Guide 67
IECEx IECEx
Assessment Quality
and Test
Report
+ Assessment
Report
=
ExTR QAR
Assessment of Assessment of
Product Manufacturers Quality
Samples (Type System
Testing) Based on ISO
IEC/TC 31 9001/2000
Product Harmonised with ATEX
Standards –EN 13980
The “IECEx Way” for Ex Certification
ExCB ExCB ExCB ExCB
Country A Country B Country C Country D
Common Rules and Procedures adopted by ALL

ExCBs and ExTLs
The IECEx Product !!!!
What does IECEx offer the Market??????
End Users Regulators
Confidence
Manufacturers Test + Cert. Bodies
IECEx Scheme – Managing Committee
Australia Netherlands
Canada Norway
China New Zealand
Czech Republic Romania
Denmark Russian Federation
Finland Singapore
France Slovenia
Germany South Africa
Hungary Sweden
Italy Switzerland
India United Kingdom
Japan United States of America
Korea, Republic of Serbia & Montenegro
Jul 2006: 28 IECEx Certifiers ExCBs
GERMANY:- SWEDEN
AUSTRALIA:-
*PTB SP
*ITACS *EXAM/BVS
*SIMTARS *TUV Nord
*TestSafe SINGAPORE
CANADA HUNGARY PSB
BKI
*CSA International
ITALY UNITED KINGDOM:-
CHINA * CESI *ITS
*CQM *SIRA Cert
KOREA:- *Baseefa
DENMARK:-
*KOSHA
*UL Int./ DEMKO A/S *KGS
UNITED STATES:-
FINLAND
NORWAY:- *UL
VTT
*NEMKO *FM
FRANCE *DNV
*LCIE NETHERLANDS –
*INERIS
RUSSIA: KEMA
NANIO-CCVE
SLOVENIA:-
SIQ
IECEx Meetings, Highlights
Highlights from some of the Recent IECEx Annual Committee
Meetings and Seminars
 Finalisation of introduction of the IECEx “On-Line” Certificate of
Conformity System to provide electronic “On-Line” Ex Certificates,
commenced August 2003
 Expansion of IECEx into the assessment and Certification of Ex
Service Facilities, now launching the IECEx Certified Service
Facilities Program, IECEx 03
 Continuous Improvement in IECEx processes and service
delivery, e.g. introduction of new OD 021 – Operational Document
for the guide to assessing Intrinsically Safe Equipment and
Systems, Dec 2005
 Increasing involvement in IECEx Management by Industry and
Regulators
 2004 Meetings = 10% of delegates from industry
 2005 Meetings = 20% of delegates from industry
Country Participation in IECEx
Options for Country
Participation in IECEx
As Member of the IECEx As a USER of the IECEx

Management Committee (ExMC) Services and Programs
refer Basic Rules IECEx 01
Formal Membership that provides for the Formal Membership encouraged BUT not
Ex industry of a Country to: required in order to:
- Have a say in the day to day - Accept IECEx Certificates of Conformity
Management of the IECEx + Voting rights as the acceptance criteria for accepting Ex
-Establish Rules + Policies of the IECEx products and Services within a country
- Ability for Ex Test Cert. Bodies to apply - Accept the credentials of IECEx Test and
Certification. Bodies
-Access to ALL IECEx documentation
- No need to develop a national Ex
- Others Certification framework
IECEx On-going work
 WG1 - Revision of Scheme Rules, IECEx 02
 WG2 - Preparation + Maintenance of Technical Guidance Docs.
 WG3 - Evaluation of Assessors
 WG4 - Technical Reference for Assessments of ExCBs and ExTLs
 WG5- Quality System Requirements
 WG6- Review of ExCB, ExTLs Assessment Process.
 WG7- Introduction of IECEx Mark
 WG8- Regulatory Recognition
 WG9- Ex Proficiency Testing
 WG10- Introduction of Ex Repair and Overhaul, IECEx 03 + ODs
 WG11- Certificates issued to Distributors
 WG12- Investigation of IECEx Expansion into Competency Assess.
 Board of Appeal appointed

 IECEx Internet site: www.iecex.com
 ExTAG - Common Approach to Testing/Cert. + ExTAG WGs
IECEx Mark of Conformity
International Ex Conformity Mark
IEC Conformity Assessment Schemes
International Electrotechnical Commission

Form in 1906, Mission = International
Standardisation in the Electrotechnology fields
 IECEE – CB and FCS Scheme
www.cbscheme.org
 IECQ – Components www.iecq.org
 IECEx- Explosive Atmospheres www.iecex.com
IECEx Management
IEC
Conformity Assessment Board
IECEx Management Committee

(ExMC)
IECEx Executive
(IECEx Officers)
IECEx Testing
and Assessment Group
(ExTAG)
IECEx Scheme - Programs
IECEx Scheme
IECEx Certified Equipment

Rules IECEx 02
IECEx Certified Service Facilities

Rules IECEx 03 (in draft)
Other Future Service Offerings
IECEx Certified Equipment Program
(Rules of Procedure IECEx 02)
Online IECEx certificates IECEx
 Certificates are created by the ExCB “Live” on the IECEx

Website via a secure area
 ExCBs can only issue IECEx Certificates to Standards they
have permission for, i.e. within their scope of acceptance
 Complete certificate for public view and download.
 Search capabilities act as a “buyers guide of Ex products”.
 Controls and safe guards built in to:
 Control generation of CoC Number
 ExCBs can only list Standards on CoCs that they are accepted
for
 Others
 Available anywhere there is access to the Internet.
 www.iecex.com
No. of IECEx Equipment Certificates
IECEx Certificates
1200
No of Certificates
1000
800
Issued
600
In-Draft
400
200
0
Aug-03
Apr-04
Aug-04
Apr-05
Aug-05
Apr-06
Dec-03
Dec-04
Dec-05
Date
Fundamental Disciplines of Ex
Area Classification
Equipment Conformance
Installation Conformance
Maintenance, Repair + Overhaul
IECEx Scheme - Programs
IECEx Scheme

Rules IECEx 02

Rules IECEx 03
New IECEx Program

Rules IECEx 03
IECEx Certification, based on the principles and elements of an
International Type 5 System as detailed in ISO/IEC Guide 67
Facility Assessment Report (FAR)
Assessment Assessment
of Technical of IECEx
+
Aspects, Competence Certificate
including
Equipment
and facilities
of Ex Repair
Staff = of
Conformity
IEC 60079-19 + - Ex Techniques,

IECEx Quality - working knowledge of
System Standards and Certification,
Requirements
- Competence in Repair, inc
metrology skills
Users of the New IECEx Program
 Owners/Managers of Industrial Sites where Ex
Equipment is used – Confidence that after repair, Ex
equipment continue to comply with original certification
 Ex Equipment manufacturers – to be confident that
authorised Repairers meet IEC 60079-19 and IECEx
requirements and are under surveillance by IECEx Bodies
 Regulators – to be confident safety is maintained by
having Ex equipment repaired by a facility with
 The right Tools/Machinery/Test & Measuring equipment
 Sound Operational systems, including records
 Competent Staff
 Ex Equipment Repairers – to prove to their customers

that they meet IEC 60079-19 and IECEx requirements
Options for Ex Manufacturers
May decide 1 of the following:-
 Option 1 - Apply to Become an IECEx Certified Service

Facility themselves
 Option 2 - Use the IECEx Certified Service Facility

Scheme by requiring their Service Agents to gain
IECEx Certification, as a first step to becoming one of
their authorised Service Agent
Option 1 - Benefits
 Helps to ensure that the manufacturer maintains

credible Ex Repair capabilities
 May assist in defence against liability claims should a
motor repaired by the manufacturer causes an
explosion or fire
 Ensures consistency in the industry
 Provides end user (customer) with confidence when
buying Ex equipment from the manufacturer.
Option 2 - Benefits
 Reduces burden on Ex manufacturer’s technical

resources
 Helps to provide protection against liability claims
should a motor repaired by an authorised agent causes
an explosion or fire
 Ensures consistency in the industry
 Provides end user (customer) with confidence when
buying Ex equipment.
Tour of the IECEx Official Website
www.iecex.com
Tour of the IECEx Website
 List of Approved IECEx Certification Bodies

 Publications
 Members Area: Committee Documents, Directory etc
 On-Line Certificate System
 View Original Certificates – Electronic Master Originals
 Search capabilities
 Certificate Status
 www.iecex.com
Why Should I be confident when
purchasing Ex products and
services covered by an IECEx
Certificate of Conformity?
IECEx Assessment of ExCBs + ExTLs
Completed Site
Original Surveillance
Original
TGDs Assessment
Application Schedule and
Application
Retained by Audit Plan, Information
Information + Check Lists Information
Reports +
IECEx
+ Forms +Notes,
Forms eg
Secretariat Follow Up
Actions
Available to Summary Surveillance

Voting Report information
IECEx and reporting
Available to
Member ALL IECEx
by IECEx
Secretariat
Bodies Member
Bodies
Surveillance of ExCBs and ExTLs
 Where National accreditation found to comply with IECEx
requirements
 6 monthly check by Secretariat on status and scope of National
accreditation
 Internal auditing by ExCB and ExTL
 Notification of any changes, eg re-location, ownership, loss of key
personnel etc
 5 Year re-assessments
 Where Body does not have acceptable national accreditation

 Annual surveillance visits by an IECEx Assessor
 Notification of any change eg re-location, ownership, loss of key
personnel etc
 5 Year re-assessments
 Where ExTL has national accred. But ExCB does not – annual
surveillance shall be conducted
Surveillance of the IECEx System
 Dedicated Technical Secretariat with the role of Scheme
CEO
 Secretariat reports to IECEx Chairman and Officers between
meetings and to full IECEx Management Committee (ALL
Member Countries) at Annual meetings
 IECEx Constitution rules require the full Management
Committee (ALL Member Countries) to meet at least annual
 Annual meetings of Technical Committee, ExTAG
 Constant monitoring of the Scheme, including industry
inquiries by the IECEx Secretariat and Officers.
 IECEx Chairman and Secretariat report TWICE per year to
the IEC Conformity Assessment Board (12 Member IEC
Board) at meetings in June and October
 Any IECEx Member Country may request a change or
improvement.
Surveillance of the IECEx System
 Review of ALL issued IECEx Certificates

 Introduction of Random sampling of issued ExTRs and
QARs, introduced
 Formal Feedback/Complaints Register and system
 A Genuine willingness by IECEx Officers, Members and
Experts associated with IECEx, including WGs, to
establish and maintain an high Standard of Excellence.
IECEx Scheme - Services
IECEx Scheme

Rules IECEx 02

Rules IECEx 03
Elements to ensure safe use
of Ex equipment
Technical Compliance Elec Product Manufacture

Elements of the Ex Field Elec Product Repair
Mech Product Manufacture
Mech Product Repair
Installation
Inspection
Area Classification
Personnel Competency
What does IECEx Cover to date??
Covered by IECEx Not Currently Covered
by IECEx
Elec Product Manufacture

Elec Product Repair –
Installation Mech Product Repair Mech Prod Man

Personnel Competency Area Classification Inspection
Energy Demands
End
Confidence via Standardisation
Standardisation
Technical Conformity
Requirements Assessment
Participation in IECEx provides real benefits
07/05/24 Copyright
IECEx Confidence
New Ex Equipment Ex Service Facilities Competent Personnel

Current Offering
07/05/24
NewCopyright
Offering Possible Offering
59
IECEx Continual strive to be
the Global Centre of
Excellence in the Ex Field

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IECEx

10 Years of Operation and Beyond

A Global Solution for the

 Founded in 1906 to promote international co-operation

 To achieve this mission, the IEC

 Encourages national use of IEC International

 IEC Family: 135 countries

IEC Members Affiliates

The single International IEC Scheme covering

IECEx is a “Conformity Assessment Tool”

IECEx Certified Equipment IECEx Certified Service Facilities

A total Conformity Assessment Program that Assessment of Ex Repair and Overhaul

 Automotive refuelling stations or  Underground coal mines

 Delays in accessing markets

 Obstacles that prevent access to new products and technology by

 Un-Safe Practices + Lost Production (Down time)

Initial aim “The

“To be the Global Centre of Excellence in the Ex field”

 Assessment of Products and Services to

SUPPORTINING OPERATIONAL + TECHNICAL

STANDARDISED FORMS, examples:

11a 22a 20a

 1992 – Questionnaire to IEC National Committees

Certificate of Conformity (third Party according to ISO/IEC Guide 67)

IECEx 02: 2003 Clause 5.1 Extract:

ExCB ExCB ExCB ExCB

Country A Country B Country C Country D

Common Rules and Procedures adopted by ALL

End Users Regulators

Manufacturers Test + Cert. Bodies

As Member of the IECEx As a USER of the IECEx

 Board of Appeal appointed

International Ex Conformity Mark

International Electrotechnical Commission

 IECEE – CB and FCS Scheme

 IECQ – Components www.iecq.org

 IECEx- Explosive Atmospheres www.iecex.com

IECEx Management Committee

IECEx Certified Equipment

IECEx Certified Service Facilities

Other Future Service Offerings

 Certificates are created by the ExCB “Live” on the IECEx

IECEx Certified Equipment

IECEx Certified Service Facilities

Other Future Service Offerings

IECEx Certified Service Facilities

Facility Assessment Report (FAR)

IEC 60079-19 + - Ex Techniques,

 Ex Equipment Repairers – to prove to their customers

May decide 1 of the following:-

 Option 1 - Apply to Become an IECEx Certified Service

 Option 2 - Use the IECEx Certified Service Facility

 Helps to ensure that the manufacturer maintains

 Reduces burden on Ex manufacturer’s technical

 List of Approved IECEx Certification Bodies

Available to Summary Surveillance

 Where Body does not have acceptable national accreditation

 Review of ALL issued IECEx Certificates

IECEx Certified Equipment

IECEx Certified Service Facilities

Other Future Service Offerings

Technical Compliance Elec Product Manufacture

Mech Product Repair