IECEx

TRaC’s Certification services are qualified under the IECEx System.

Why use TRaC Certification for IECEx certification?

IECEx Certification

The IEC states that the objective of the IECEx System is to facilitate international trade in equipment and services for use in explosive atmospheres, while maintaining the required level of safety. The key benefits of TRaC IECEX Certification Services include:

• reduced testing and certification costs to manufacturer
• reduced time to market
• international confidence in the product assessment process
• one international database listing
• maintaining International Confidence in equipment and services covered by IECEx Certification

IECEx is an internationally-recognised Conformity Assessment System. It deals with equipment that operates in any environment where there is a risk of explosion due to the materials used within it.  Under a designation accepted in, currently, 31 countries, all such locations are known as Ex Areas. Using an electronic certification scheme, equipment that has passed all the required tests is listed on a single database, and is accepted as the basis for national approval in any of the participating countries: manufacturers can reduce costs and time-to-market using this very effective system.

IECEx certification with TRaC

The use of an internationally recognized certification system like IECEx is essential to reduce unnecessary costs associated through duplication of testing and assessment. It helps companies to market their products internationally and forms a clear basis for risk management. TRaC Certification offers IECEX services, including the capability to test and certify equipment, enabling it to be sold in any IECEx participating countries - which include the UK, USA, and Canada, and also emerging markets such as Russia, China, Brazil and India.

IECEx operates alongside existing certification schemes such as the European ATEX product directive for hazardous location equipment.  While there are detailed differences between certification regimes, TRaC - as a facility qualified in both ATEX and IECEx systems – can construct a single test certification programme that accommodates any additional testing.

Ex Equipment certification applies to a much wider range of equipment than might at first be thought.   In addition to the obvious hazardous areas such as oil refineries, fuel stations and chemical processing facilities, Ex Areas include such diverse environments as paint spray booths (due to the presence of flammable solvents) and wood- and metal-workshops (where there can be highly flammable dust residues).

For a certificate to be issued under the IECEx System, not only must a product successfully undergo a rigorous test programme, but an on-going audit process of the manufacturer's own systems and methodologies must also be put in place. TRaC Certification can offer a comprehensive service comprising all of the elements an Ex Equipment manufacturer needs to take a product into global markets.