The IECEx System: How It Impacts the North America Hazardous Locations Industry

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres (referred to as the IECEx System) comprises four separate schemes that provide international services to industries involved with explosive atmosphere (Ex) applications. These services include the certification of Ex equipment, service facilities, and personnel competencies along with the licensing of an IECEx mark. Since its inception in 1999 as an Ex equipment certification scheme, the IECEx system has doubled the number of participating countries and increased the number of approved certification bodies by an order of magnitude (with six from North America).