Team HydITEx has extensive knowledge about Ex equipment, hydrogen energy and International standards IECEx, ISO for hydrogen, IECQ for carbon footprint and nuclear supply chain. You can benefit from the purpose of the IECEx system by facilitating the international exchange of equipment and services intended for use in explosive atmospheres. The IECEx system provides one international database. The IECEx scheme has a mandatory quality audit process that must be met in order to remain in compliance with requirements.

What is IECEx?

IEC = International Electrotechnical Commission

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), registered in Switzerland, is a non-profit company. IEC: beginning in St. Louis, 1904: Palace of Electricity. Officially created in 1906. Lord Kelvin is the first President of the IECh. Created to meet the needs of industry.

Ex = Explosive atmospheres

IEC + Ex = IECEx

IECEx System = IEC System for Certification to Standards relating to Equipment for use in Explosive Atmospheres

IECEx is a voluntary system which provides an internationally accepted means of proving compliance with IEC standards. IEC standards are used in many national approval schemes and as such, IECEx certification can be used to support national compliance, negating the need in most cases for additional testing.

The Benefits of IECEx

The fact that many countries operate under different standards means that Ex equipment often needs to be re-tested and re-certified to the appropriate standards of that country, adding to the cost of the equipment.

The IECEx scheme significantly reduces the need for re-testing and certification by conforming to international IEC standards, and therefore makes international trade easier, quicker and more cost effective.

UN endorsement

UN endorsement  —  the United Nations, via UNECE, has endorsed  IECEx as the internationally-recognized  certification system for promoting the  safety of equipment, services and personnel  associated with devices, systems and  installations used in explosive areas.

Any United Nations Member State that has no regulatory framework in the explosive equipment sector can use the model as a blueprint for legislation. If countries already have such a framework, they could consider gradually converging towards this international model. Once the model has been adopted as national legislation, the sector will operate under a single common regulatory framework in all participating countries. Official publication of the CRA (CRO) by UN 2011 and 2019 signifies the formal endorsement of the IECEx System and its Conformity Assessment Schemes covering.

International Renewable Energy Agency

The IEC is a knowledge and ecosystem partner of IRENA’s global Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID) and the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA).

What’s more, in an ongoing close collaboration with IRENA, IECEx (the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmosphere) is contributing to developing a future roadmap for quality infrastructure for clean hydrogen production.

IECEx oversees the compliance with international standards that address hydrogen safety, and its certification continues to be a valuable tool for facilitating trade at national levels and across international markets.

IECEx Certified Equipment

IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme provides assurance that products listed on a IECEx Certificate of Conformity follow the International Standards listed on that IECEx Certificate.

This Scheme provides:

IECEx ExTR (Test Report)

IECEx QAR (Quality Assessment Report) 

IECEx CoC (Certifi cate of Conformity)

To obtain this type of IECEx Certifi cate, the product manufacturer prepares an application and submits it to the relevant IECEx ExCB. Samples of the equipment will be tested by a laboratory appointed by the ExCB. A factory inspection will also be organized to assess manufacturing capabilities to manufacture products identical to the product tested. Ongoing periodic audits (factory inspections) ensure that the stringent standards are being maintained by the manufacturer over time. You can find further information about the IECEx System and its Schemes, as well as rules, operational documents, procedures,  certificates and a list of the IECEx Certification Bodies on site IECEx.

IECEx Certified Service

IECEx Certified Service Facility Scheme assesses and certifi es that organizations and workshops that provide Ex equipment selection, design, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, overhaul and reclamation services to the Ex industry do so respecting the strict requirements of IEC International Standards:

IEC 60079-14 Explosive atmospheres - Part 14: Electrical installations design, selection and erection

IEC 60079-17 Explosive atmospheres - Part 17: Electrical installations inspection and maintenance

IEC 60079-19 Explosive atmospheres - Part 19: Equipment repair, overhaul and reclamation

This ensures that unique Ex safety features are not compromised during the selection, design, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, overhaul or reclamation processes.

The Scheme includes on-site audits prior to issuing the IECEx Certificate and ongoing periodic audits to ensure repair and overhaul processes continue to comply with requirements and provides:

IECEx FAR (Facility Assessment Report)

IECEx Certified Service Facility Certificate

IECEx Certificate of Personnel Competence

It is an internationally recognised scheme designed to assess a persons knowledge and skills for working in hazardous areas by way of written and practical assessment, with the outcome being an IECEx Certification of Personnel Competence for an individual.

The online certificate includes photo identification of the holder and the certificate can be viewed by anyone for verification on the IECEx website. 

The aim of an IECEx Certificate of Personnel Competence is to provide employers and organisations with confidence that personnel working in or around explosive atmospheres, or that can affect the safety of hazardous areas, hold the required competence to carry out their role correctly and safely.  It is like a passport of sorts for hazardous area workers who may operate across multiple countries and jurisdictions.

The IECEx CoPC scheme addresses the certification of personnel competence  involved  in  activities  through  twelve units  of competence:

Unit Ex 000 – Basic knowledge and awareness

Unit Ex 001 – Apply basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres

Unit Ex 002 – Perform classification of hazardous areas

Unit Ex 003 – Install explosion-protected equipment and wiring systems

Unit Ex 004 – Maintain equipment in explosive atmospheres

Unit Ex 005 – Overhaul and repair of explosion-protected equipment

Unit Ex 006 – Test electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres

Unit Ex 007 – Perform visual & close inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres

Unit Ex 008 – Perform detailed inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres

Unit Ex 009 – Design electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres

Unit Ex 010 – Perform audit inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres

Unit Ex 011 – Basic knowledge of the safety of hydrogen systems

Based on a modular competence structure taylor-made competence profiles can be certified which perfectly fit the actual obligation and tasks of the candidates in their jobs.

The IECEx scheme for certification of personnel competence provides independent verification that a person holding an IECEx CoPC has the ability to apply skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience to work safely in accordance with relevant international standards on explosive atmospheres. This can be especially important for contracted staff.

IECEx Recognised Training Provider Program

The IECEx Recognised Training Provider Program (RTP) provides the international market with confidence that recognised organizations have implemented processes to manage and provide training services related to the selection, design, inspection, installation, maintenance, repair, overhaul and reclamation of equipment operating in explosive (Ex) atmospheres. An organization's designation as a Recognized Training Provider (RTP) signifies its commitment to provide appropriate training services on the basis that they have been verified in accordance with IECEx Operational Document OD 521. Training organizations interested in obtaining IECEx RTP status should consult the IECEx Operational Document.

Standards Operated by the IECEx

The IECEx System is based on the use of International Standards, such as IEC Standards and ISO Standards. These Standards are dedicated to the highly specialised fields associated with the use of equipment, termed Ex equipment, and installations in areas where a potential may exist of fire or explosion:

IEC 60079-0 Part 0: Equipment - General requirements

IEC 60079-1 Part 1: Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures 'd'

IEC 60079-2 Part 2: Equipment protection by pressurized enclosures 'p'

IEC 60079-5 Part 5: Equipment protection by powder filling 'q'

IEC 60079-6 Part 6: Equipment protection by oil immersion 'o'

IEC 60079-7 Part 7: Equipment protection by increased safety 'e'

IEC 60079-10-1 Part 10-1: Classification of areas - Explosive gas atmospheres

IEC 60079-10-2 Part 10-2: Classification of areas - Explosive dust atmospheres

IEC 60079-11 Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety 'i'

IEC 60079-13 Part 13: Equipment protection by pressurized room "p" and artificially ventilated room "v"

IEC 60079-14 Part 14: Electrical installations design, selection and erection

IEC 60079-15 Part 15: Equipment protection by type of protection 'n'

IEC 60079-16 Part 16: Artificial ventilation for the protection of analyser (s) houses

IEC 60079-17 Part 17: Electrical installations inspection and maintenance

IEC 60079-18 Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation “m”

IEC 60079-19 Part 19: Equipment repair, overhaul and reclamation

IEC 60079-25 Part 25: Intrinsically safe electrical systems

IEC 60079-26 Part 26: Equipment with equipment protection level (EPL) Ga

IEC 60079-28 Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation

IEC 60079-29-1 Part 29-1: Gas detectors - Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases

IEC 60079-29-2 Part 29-2: Gas detectors - Selection, installation, use and maintenance of detectors for flammable gas and oxygen

IEC 60079-29-4 Part 29-4: Gas detectors - Performance requirements of open path detectors for flammable gases

IEC 60079-30-1 Part 30-1: Electrical resistance trace heating - General and testing requirements

IEC/IEEE 60079-30-1 Part 30-1: Electrical resistance trace heating - General and testing requirements

IEC 60079-31 Part 31: Equipment dust ignition protection by enclosure 't'

**IEC/TS 60079-32-1 Edition 1.0 Explosive atmospheres - Part 32-1: Electrostatic Hazards - Guidance ** This TS may be used for testing purposes but not for issuing an IECEx Certificate of Conformity

**IEC 60079-32-2 Edition 2.0 Explosive atmospheres - Part 32-2: Electrostatics hazards – Tests ** This Standard may be used for testing purposes but not for issuing an IECEx Certificate of Conformity

IEC 60079-33 Part 33: Equipment protection by special protection 's'

IEC 60079-35-1 Part 35-1: Caplights for use in mines susceptible to firedamp - General requirements - Construction and testing in relation to the risk of explosion

IEC 60079-35-2 Part 35-2: Caplights for use in mines susceptible to firedamp - Performance

IEC/TS 60079-39 Part 39: Intrinsically safe systems with electronically controlled spark duration limitation

IEC/TS 60079-40 Part 40: Requirements for process sealing between flammable process fluids and electrical systems

**IEC/TS 60079-42 Explosive atmospheres- Electrical safety devices for the control of potential ignition sources for Ex-Equipment. ** This TS may be used for testing purposes but not for issuing an IECEx Certificate of Conformity

IEC/TS 60079-46 Explosive atmospheres - Part 46: Equipment assemblies

IEC/TS 60079-47 Explosive atmospheres – Part 47: Equipment protection by 2-wire intrinsically safe Ethernet concept (2-WISE)

IEC 62784 Vacuum cleaners and dust extractors providing equipment protection level Dc for the collection of combustible dusts - Particular requirements

IEC 62990-1 Workplace atmospheres – Part 1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for toxic gases

IECEx OD 290 IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme - Harmonized procedures for IECEx certification of equipment, components and systems associated with the production, dispensing and use of gaseous hydrogen

ISO/IEC 80079-34 Part 34: Application of quality systems for equipment manufacture

ISO/IEC 80079-49 Explosive atmospheres - Part 49: Flame arresters - Performance requirements, test methods and limits of use

ISO 19880-1 Gaseous hydrogen - Fuelling stations Part 1 General requirements

ISO 19880-3 Gaseous hydrogen Fuelling stations Part 3: Valves

ISO 19880-5 Gaseous hydrogen Fuelling stations Part 5: Dispenser hoses and hose assemblies

ISO 80079-36 Part 36: Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres - Basic method and requirements

ISO 80079-37 Part 37: Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres - Non electrical type of protection constructional safety "c", control of ignition source "b", liquid immersion "k"

ISO/TR 15916 Basic considerations for the safety of hydrogen systems

ISO 17268 Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle refuelling connection devices

Consulting HydITEx

HydITEx provides assistance and possible co-financing in the establishment of a national certification and training center in the field of IECEx activities. Determining the required scope of accreditation. We will help you select the necessary qualified personnel. Assistance in the design, construction and equipment of the testing laboratory. Provides training to testing laboratory personnel and assists in the development of test methods. HydITEx will take over the full organization of the educational process, including equipping the training center with specialized training stands and materials for practical classes.

HydITEx are highly qualified technical specialists who will help you gain the necessary competence to fully organize work in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IECEx) system.