Cat Pumps (U.K.) Limited on the Upcoming Changes With the 2014/34/EU ATEX Directive

The ATEX and DSEAR directives concern the safety requirements for workplaces and equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres. From 1st January 2023 it will be necessary to apply the UKCA(Ex) mark to indicate compliance to the requirements of the UKCA(Ex) Directive for goods placed on the market in the mainland UK.

Suppliers placing equipment on the EU market falling under the ATEX Directive and using the services of a Notified Body for conformity assessment may continue to apply the CE mark to their products providing that their Notified Body is registered in the European Union. (e.g., Cat Pump’s notified body, SGS is now registered in the EU under NB No 0598 SGS Fimko)

The UK government has allowed a Brexit transition period where it will recognise CE marked goods that conform with the ATEX Directive as compliant for the UK market until 31st December 2022. However, from 1st January 2023 it will be necessary to apply the UKCA(Ex) mark to indicate compliance to the requirements of the UKCA(Ex) Directive for goods placed on the market in the mainland UK. The EX‑symbol and other required ATEX markings showing equipment group and category etc. remain the same. UK Approved Bodies will be appointed and authorised to provide conformity assessment services for the UKCA mark related to ATEX. These UK Approved Bodies must be legal entities based in the UK.

Members who currently self‑certify their category 3 equipment and Category 2 nonelectrical equipment under the ATEX Directive and only use the services of a conformity assessment body to hold their technical files will also need to act. They will need to decide to hold their ATEX technical files with a Notified Body located in the EU from 1st January 2021 in order to continue to self‑certify with the CE mark. By the 1st of January 2023 they must also have lodged copies of their ATEX technical files with a UK Approved Body in order to supply products certified to the UKCA mark placed on the market.

Certificates of conformity to the UK equivalent of the ATEX legislation, The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016, will need to be amended to comply with the requirements of the UKCA mark. The certificates will need to refer to the relevant UK Approved Body, where applicable, referencing the UK legislation rather than the ATEX Directive. Certificates of conformity for the ATEX Directive and the CE mark must include the correct Notified Body reference number, where applicable.

Through dedicated engineering staff and with many years of experience providing equipment into explosive environments Cat Pumps (UK) Limited can provide certification for pumps and pump packages to the ATEX directive and to the new UK requirements.