Testing / certifications in accordance
with the IECEx Scheme

03.11.2015
  • As IECEx Test Laboratory (ExTL) and IECEx Certification Body (ExCB) in the field of Certified Equipment Scheme
  • Testing / certifications are recognised by the U.S. Coast Guard
  • Electrical equipment
  • Components
  • Quality assurance systems (QA systems)

Since 2007, the IBExU Institut für Sicherheitstechnik GmbH has been recognised by the IECEx secretariat in the field of the Certified Equipment Scheme as an IECEx Test Laboratory (ExTL) and IECEx Certification Body (ExCB) and is thus authorised to issue ExTRs (IECEx Test Reports), QARs (IECEx Quality Assessment Reports) as well as CoCs (IECEx Certificates of Conformity).

Tests / certifications carried out within the scope of the IECEx Scheme are recognised by the U.S. Coast Guard. The recognition has been in place since 2014.

Approval procedures consist of an examination with subsequent evaluation and, in the case of a positive result, a certification. Differentiation is made between approval procedures on products (Step 1) and quality assurance systems (Step 2). Products which are to be approved in accordance with the IECEx Scheme can only be marketed as certified equipment after carrying out steps 1 and 2.

Elementary principles form the IECEx Rules 01 and 02. Rule 01 describes the IECEx Scheme in general. The fundamental approach with approval procedures within the scope of the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme is elucidated in Rule 02 and supplemented by the IECEx Guide 02A.

Approval procedures on products (Step 1)

The IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme is limited at present to electrical products. These are, comparable with the Directive 2014/34/EU, differentiated between in terms of equipment and components. For approval procedures which take place strictly in accordance with the Standard, other documents supplementary to the Rules and Guides such as operational documents (ODs) are consulted. In the results of the test an IECEx test report (ExTR) is compiled and, in the case of a positive result, a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). The publication of a CoC is, however, possible solely where a valid quality assessment report (QAR) exists in the appropriate area of application.

Approval procedures on quality assurance systems (Step 2)

The Certificates of Conformity (CoCs) which are compiled in step 1 form the basis for the implementation of approval procedures on quality assurance systems. In the case of a positive result, a quality assessment report (QAR) is issued and published.

 

Where a published Certificate of Conformity (CoC) exists for a product then this may be marketed as Certified Equipment and labelled accordingly.