Certification with highest protection classes
ATEX • IECEx • EAC • INMETRO • KOSHA • CSA • UL • IP66

ATEX is a commonly used synonym for the ATEX directives of the European Union. The name is derived from the French term "ATmosphère EXplosible". The directive en- compasses explosion protection directives 2014/34/EU for equipment and 1999/92/EC for work areas. ATEX directives are devised by the Director General of the EU commission Enterprise and Industry in cooperation with the member states, standardization organi- zations (CEN, CENELEC) and so called "Notified Bodies" such as BAM, PTB, or TUEV to name examples from Germany.

IECEx is an internationally used process to certify electrical equipment used in hazar- dous locations. The code defines a system to classify locations potentially explosive atmospheres caused by gases, dusts, or fibers for example. The main goal of the International Electrotechnical Commission IEC with the IECEx regulation is to reach global harmonization of codes governing use of electrical apparatus in hazardous locations. IEC promotes mutual acceptance of evaluations and reports among the testing labs and certifying bodies.

In the context of the Customs Union consisting of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, new technical rules were continuously introduced since June 12, 2012 in order to create a common economic area. This also affects equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. As part of this change, the GOST-R Explosion protection certificate was replaced by the new technical regulation TR CU 012/2011 "On the safety of equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres".

Brazil's INMETRO (Institute of Metrology, Standardisation and Industrial Quality) is the government body responsible for the implementation of measurement, safety and quality standards for electrical and electronic products. It guides the activities of accreditation, inspection, testing and certification bodies in the country.

The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) aims to contribute to the national economy by maintaining and improving the safety and health conditions at work through the efficient implementation of projects such as research and development, promotion of industrial accident prevention technologies, provision of technical assistance and training on occupational safety and health, inspection on dangerous facilities and equipment.

CSA is a global provider of testing and certification services. CSA is also on the OSHA list of nationally recognized testing laboratories, NRTL.

UL is an independent organization that tests and certifies products with regards to safety. UL tests and evaluates compliance of products, components, materials, and sys- tems against specific requirements. As a re- sult the UL mark can be carried as long as the standards are complied with. UL is one of the OSHA endorsed testing labs. OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Adminis- tration and maintains a list of labs called NRTL, short for nationally recognized testing laboratories.

IP66 stands for Ingress Protection and denotes the protection of the device against environmental factors, dust and rain for example, as well as protection of living beings against dangers of touching high voltage circuits for example. The first digit categorizes ingress of solid objects, the second ingress of water:

• IP6x = dust proof
• IPx6 = water jet proof
  (with specifies water pressure etc.)