An Ex marking such as Ex db ia IIC T6 Gb looks the same almost everywhere in the world. The certificate behind it does not. A light that is legally sold in Germany may not be accepted on an Australian mine site, and a light accepted in China may not be allowed in a Texas refinery. For importers, distributors and project buyers, the right question is not "is it explosion-proof?" but "is it certified for the market and the site where it will be used?"
This guide explains the main certification schemes, what each one requires, which documents to ask a supplier for, and how to check that a certificate is genuine and covers the product you are buying.
Why one certificate is not enough
The technical standards are largely harmonised. Most schemes test to the IEC 60079 series or national standards based on it. What differs is the legal route to market: who may certify, what quality system the factory needs, which marks go on the product, and which documents must travel with it. A product needs the certificate that the law of the country of use, and often the site owner, recognises.
Market by market
| Market | Scheme | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| European Union / EEA | ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU | For Category 1 and 2 electrical equipment (Zone 0 and Zone 1), an EU-type examination by a Notified Body plus a production quality assessment (QAN). Manufacturer issues an EU Declaration of Conformity. Marking: CE + Notified Body number + ⬡Ex + II 2 G + Ex marking |
| Great Britain | UKEX (UK regulations SI 2016/1107) | UKCA route through a UK Approved Body. GB also continues to recognise CE marking under legislation that took effect in October 2024; check current guidance before relying on it. Marking: UKCA or CE, plus Ex marking |
| International | IECEx | Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by an IECEx certification body, based on a test report (ExTR) and a factory quality assessment (QAR). Accepted directly or used as the basis for national approval in many countries, and required by many oil, gas and mining operators. Marking: Ex marking plus IECEx certificate number |
| United States | NEC (NFPA 70) with listing by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory | Listing by an NRTL such as UL, CSA, FM or Intertek, to Class/Division (NEC 500) or Zone (NEC 505) standards. Marking: Listing mark plus Class/Division or Zone marking |
| Canada | Canadian Electrical Code | Certification by an accredited certification body, commonly CSA or another accredited lab. Marking: Certification mark plus Class/Division or Zone marking |
| China | CCC (China Compulsory Certification) for Ex products | Mandatory for explosion-proof electrical products since 1 October 2020. Underground coal mine equipment also needs the mining product safety mark (MA). Marking: CCC mark plus Ex marking |
| Other markets | National schemes | For example TR CU 012/2011 (EAC) in the Eurasian Economic Union, INMETRO in Brazil, PESO in India and KCs in Korea. Many accept IECEx test reports as the basis for their own certificate. Marking: National mark plus Ex marking |
Reading an ATEX marking
An ATEX-certified portable light might carry:
CE 1234 ⬡Ex II 2 G Ex db ia IIC T6 Gb
- CE 1234: CE marking with the number of the Notified Body that oversees production quality.
- ⬡Ex: the specific marking for explosion protection.
- II: equipment group II, for surface industry (group I is mining).
- 2 G: category 2 for gas, meaning suitable for Zone 1 and Zone 2. Category 1 covers Zone 0; category 3 covers Zone 2 only.
- Ex db ia IIC T6 Gb: the protection concepts, gas group, temperature class and protection level, read as explained in how to read an Ex marking.
The certificate number, manufacturer name and address, model, serial number and ambient temperature range also appear on the rating label.
IECEx is not ATEX, and ATEX is not UL
Three misunderstandings cause most certification problems on import:
- "It has IECEx, so it can be sold in the EU." An IECEx certificate is not a legal basis for the CE marking. The IECEx test report can, however, make the ATEX assessment much faster, because the testing is largely the same.
- "It has ATEX, so it is fine in the US." The US requires NRTL listing to US standards. ATEX or IECEx certificates are not accepted in their place, although they can help the US certification.
- "The test report is the certificate." A test report shows a sample passed; a certificate also covers the factory's quality system and continuing production. Always ask for the certificate itself.
Documents to request from a supplier
| Document | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Certificate (EU-type examination, IECEx CoC, NRTL listing, CCC, etc.) | Proves the model is certified under the scheme your market requires |
| EU Declaration of Conformity (for the EU) | Legal statement by the manufacturer; must accompany the product |
| Quality assessment notification (QAN for ATEX, QAR for IECEx) | Shows the factory itself is assessed, not only a sample |
| Photo or drawing of the rating label | Check that the marking matches the certificate exactly |
| Instructions in the language of the country of use | Required for ATEX; essential for safe use and maintenance |
| Special conditions of use (the "X" on a certificate) | Restrictions such as charging only in a safe area |
How to check a certificate is genuine and current
- IECEx: every Certificate of Conformity is listed in the public online database at iecex.com. Search the certificate number and check the holder, the model names, the issue number and the status.
- ATEX: check that the Notified Body exists and is designated for the ATEX directive in the European Commission's NANDO database, and ask the Notified Body to confirm the certificate if in doubt.
- UL and other NRTLs: look up the product in the laboratory's online certification directory, such as UL Product iQ.
- CCC: CCC certificates can be checked through China's official certification information platforms.
Then check that the model on the certificate is exactly the model you are buying, including suffixes, and that the marking on the label matches the marking on the certificate character for character.
Private label and who holds the certificate
When you sell a certified light under your own brand, the certificate normally stays in the manufacturer's name. Some schemes require the certificate holder's name to stay on the rating label; others allow a brand-label variant listed on the certificate. Getting your own company named on the certificate is a separate certification project. Our OEM guide covers how this works in practice.
Importer obligations in the EU
An EU importer of ATEX equipment has legal duties of its own. In summary, the importer must:
- Check that the manufacturer has carried out the conformity assessment, that the product carries the CE marking and the correct Ex marking, and that it comes with the Declaration of Conformity and instructions.
- Put its own name, registered trade name and contact address on the product or, where that is not possible, on the packaging.
- Keep a copy of the Declaration of Conformity and make the technical documentation available to authorities for 10 years.
- Take corrective action and inform the authorities if it believes a product is not compliant.
Timelines and planning
Adding a new scheme to an existing product takes months, not weeks: testing, factory audit, document review and certificate issue all take time, and test samples must be built to final design. If a project needs a certificate the product does not yet have, raise it at the inquiry stage, not after the purchase order.
Our models are certified for explosion protection in China; certificates for the factory and products are shown on our factory page. For other markets, tell us the scheme your project needs and we will confirm which models already hold it or what certification would involve.
Certification checklist for importers
- Identify the country of use and any site or operator requirements (many operators specify IECEx or ATEX regardless of country).
- Confirm the zone, gas group and temperature class the light must meet.
- Ask for the certificate for the exact model, plus quality assessment and Declaration of Conformity where required.
- Verify the certificate in the official database.
- Compare the rating label with the certificate.
- Read the special conditions of use.
- For private label, agree how the label and certificate will read.
- For the EU, prepare importer labelling and document retention.
Send us your target market and site requirements through the inquiry form, and we will tell you which models fit and which documents we can provide.
Frequently asked questions
Is IECEx accepted in the European Union?
Not on its own. Products sold in the EU need ATEX conformity assessment and CE marking. An IECEx test report can be used to make the ATEX assessment quicker, because the testing is largely the same.
Can ATEX-certified lights be used in the United States?
Not on the strength of ATEX alone. The US requires listing by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory such as UL, CSA, FM or Intertek to US standards.
When did CCC become mandatory for explosion-proof products in China?
On 1 October 2020. Since then explosion-proof electrical products sold in China need CCC certification; underground coal mine equipment also needs the MA mark.
How can I check an IECEx certificate?
Search the certificate number in the public online database at iecex.com and check the holder, model names, issue number and status.
What does II 2 G mean on an ATEX label?
Equipment group II (surface industry), category 2 for gas atmospheres: suitable for Zone 1 and Zone 2.
Further reading
- European Commission: Equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
- IECEx: International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres
- GOV.UK: Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016
- MPR China Certification: CCC certification for explosion protection products in China
Need lights for a project? Send the zone, gas group and quantities and we will suggest models and a price.
Get a quote
