Introduction

Although, especially within the EC, hazardous area technology is increasingly regulated by law (see pages on ATEX Directives) various technical standards serve to translate those laws into practical guidance.  In some cases compliance with a technical standard directly equates to compliance with some or all of the legal requirements, in other cases, the technical standard simply provides good guidance or is advisory.

This page lists some of the technical standards which are in common use.  The list is by no means exhaustive and more detailed information can be obtained from the web sites of the various standards organizations.  You will find links to many of these organizations (such as BSI, CENELEC, CEN, IEC) on the useful links page of this web site. CENELEC and IEC standards may be purchased from BSI.

HARMONIZED STANDARDS

If a standard is listed in the European Journal and on the EC Website as a harmonized standard, compliance with that standard is deemed to meet some or all of the essential safety requirements of the ATEX Directive

Relationship between CENELEC and IEC standards

The IEC 60079 series of standards are now being developed simultaneously in IEC and CENELEC with IEC taking the lead.  The resultant standards will be published by IEC and then implemented by CENELEC with an EN prefix to the number, ie IEC 60079-0 will become EN 60079-0.  The CENELEC version of the standard will be technically identical to the IEC standard with additional text to cover the ATEX aspects such as categories.  The EN 60079 series of standards will be harmonized as they are published and will supersede the existing EN 50014 etc series of standards.

Some older editions of the IEC 60079 series exist but are not the version which will be harmonized.

Note on CEN (non-electrical) Standards

A series on non-electrical standards is currently in the process of drafting by CEN. These standards will be harmonized as they are produced.  There is no equivalent ISO work at present.

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