ATEX marking is the information shown on certified hazardous area equipment to identify where and how it can be used safely in potentially explosive atmospheres. It usually includes the equipment group, category, gas or dust suitability, explosion protection method, gas group, temperature class, equipment protection level and certificate reference.
For engineers, buyers, site managers and safety teams, understanding ATEX equipment markings is essential. A product described as “ATEX certified” is not enough on its own — the marking must match the hazardous area zone, gas or dust group, temperature class and installation conditions for the site.
ATEX marking shows the certified limits of hazardous area equipment. It tells the user whether the equipment is suitable for gas, vapour, mist or dust atmospheres, which hazardous area zone it can be used in, what explosion protection method it uses, what gas or dust group it is approved for, and what maximum surface temperature or T-class applies.
ATEX marking is the visible certification code applied to equipment designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. It helps users identify whether a product is suitable for specific hazardous area conditions.
ATEX markings are commonly found on equipment such as:
The marking should always be checked alongside the product certificate, manufacturer instructions and the hazardous area classification for the site. Correct certification does not remove the need for correct product selection, installation, inspection and maintenance.
External reference: The European Commission explains that ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU applies to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
A typical hazardous area equipment marking may look similar to the example below. Exact markings vary depending on the equipment, certification, protection concept, gas or dust atmosphere, temperature class and manufacturer.
Important: This is only an example. The actual suitability of any ATEX marked product must be confirmed against the full certificate, manufacturer instructions, ambient temperature range, installation method, cable entries, accessories and any special conditions of safe use.
ATEX markings identify the type of environment the equipment is designed for. The first major distinction is the equipment group.
Most industrial hazardous area products supplied for oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, utilities, pharmaceutical, food processing and energy applications are typically associated with Group II gas atmospheres, Group III dust atmospheres, or both.
ATEX equipment categories help identify the level of protection provided by equipment and the type of hazardous area it may be suitable for. These categories must be considered alongside the site’s hazardous area classification.
For gas, vapour and mist atmospheres:
For combustible dust atmospheres:
Read more in our guide to Hazardous Area Zones Definitions.
External reference: HSE guidance explains that employers must classify areas where hazardous explosive atmospheres may occur into zones.
ATEX markings also identify whether the equipment is certified for gas, dust, or both.
For gas atmospheres, the marking may include gas groups such as IIA, IIB or IIC.
A product marked for IIC may often be suitable for IIB and IIA atmospheres where all other marking and installation requirements are also satisfied. The reverse is not normally true: equipment marked only IIA should not be assumed suitable for IIB or IIC gas environments.
Related guide: Minimum Ignition Energy.
The Ex protection method explains how the equipment prevents ignition of the surrounding explosive atmosphere. This is one of the most important parts of an ATEX or IECEx marking.
Different protection methods are used for different product types. For example, an ATEX junction box may use increased safety or flameproof protection, while an instrument circuit may use intrinsic safety. Always check the certificate and manufacturer documentation rather than relying on the protection code alone.
The temperature class, often shown as T1 to T6, identifies the maximum surface temperature of equipment under certified conditions. This is critical because hot surfaces can become ignition sources.
A lower temperature value provides a stricter temperature limit. For example, equipment marked T6 has a lower maximum surface temperature than equipment marked T4. The equipment temperature class must be suitable for the auto-ignition temperature of the gas, vapour, mist or dust present.
Read more in our dedicated guide to Temperature T-Class Ratings.
An Equipment Protection Level, often shortened to EPL, indicates the level of ignition protection provided by equipment. EPLs are widely associated with IECEx and IEC standards, but they are also commonly seen in Ex markings used on hazardous area equipment.
EPLs are useful because they give a direct indication of the equipment protection level. However, they should still be assessed alongside the full marking, certificate scope, gas or dust group, T-class and installation conditions.
Related guide: What is IECEx Certification?
ATEX and IECEx marked equipment should include a certificate reference or documentation route that allows the product approval to be checked. The certificate must match the exact product range, model, variant and conditions of use.
A certificate check should confirm:
If a certificate number ends with an “X”, this indicates there are specific conditions of safe use. These conditions must be reviewed before installation or operation.
Read more: What is the “X” in Ex Certificates?
For IECEx certificates, users can also check the official IECEx Certificate Database.
ATEX markings are often misunderstood, especially when equipment is being purchased quickly, replaced on site, or sourced from unfamiliar suppliers.
Common mistakes include:
For hazardous area applications, product selection should always be based on the site classification, the full certification documentation and competent technical assessment.
ATEX markings are found across a wide range of hazardous area electrical and mechanical equipment. Thorne & Derrick supply certified products for industrial and process applications where flammable gases, vapours, mists or combustible dusts may be present.
Typical product ranges include:
When selecting equipment, the marking should be checked against the full application. For example, an ATEX light fitting suitable for Zone 2 gas atmospheres may not be suitable for Zone 1, Zone 21, combustible dusts, higher ambient temperatures or a different gas group unless the full marking and certificate confirm suitability.
A: ATEX marking identifies how equipment is certified for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. It can show the equipment group, category, gas or dust suitability, protection method, gas group, temperature class, equipment protection level and certificate reference.
A: II means the equipment is intended for surface industries rather than mining. 2G means Category 2 equipment for gas, vapour or mist atmospheres. Category 2G equipment is commonly associated with Zone 1 applications, subject to the full marking and certificate conditions.
A: 2G refers to Category 2 equipment for gas, vapour or mist atmospheres. 2D refers to Category 2 equipment for combustible dust atmospheres. A product marked for gas should not automatically be assumed suitable for dust unless the marking and certificate confirm dust suitability.
A: Ex db is a flameproof protection marking. It indicates that the equipment uses a flameproof enclosure designed to contain an internal explosion and prevent flame transmission to the surrounding explosive atmosphere, within the certified limits of the product.
A: IIC is the most severe gas group within Group II gas atmospheres. Hydrogen and acetylene are commonly associated with IIC. Equipment marked IIC may often be suitable for IIB and IIA atmospheres when all other conditions are also met, but the certificate must always be checked.
A: T4 means the maximum surface temperature of the equipment does not exceed 135°C under certified conditions. The T-class must be suitable for the auto-ignition temperature of the hazardous atmosphere present.
A: ATEX and IECEx markings are closely related and often use similar Ex coding, but they are not the same certification scheme. ATEX is a European legal framework, while IECEx is an international certification system. Read more in our guide to ATEX vs IECEx.
A: No. The label is important, but it should be checked against the certificate, manufacturer instructions, hazardous area classification, ambient temperature, gas or dust group, T-class, accessories and any special conditions of safe use.
ATEX marking is essential for selecting and verifying hazardous area equipment. It helps identify whether a product is suitable for gas or dust atmospheres, which zone it may be used in, what explosion protection method is applied, what gas group and temperature class apply, and what equipment protection level is provided.
However, ATEX marking should never be read in isolation. The safest approach is to check the full marking, certificate number, manufacturer documentation, special conditions of use, ambient temperature range and site hazardous area classification before installation.
Thorne & Derrick supply ATEX and IECEx certified equipment for hazardous area lighting, process heating, heat tracing, enclosures, isolators, plugs, connectors, process instrumentation and static control applications, with technical support to help customers select equipment suitable for demanding industrial environments.
ATEX and IECEx certification are both used to demonstrate that equipment is suitable for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, but they are not the same scheme. ATEX is a legal requirement for equipment placed on the EU market, while IECEx is an international certification system designed to provide globally recognised evidence of compliance with explosion protection standards.
For hazardous area industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical processing, offshore energy, food production, pharmaceutical manufacturing, hydrogen, utilities and mining, understanding the difference between ATEX vs IECEx is essential when specifying electrical, mechanical, heating, lighting, instrumentation and process equipment for hazardous area zones.
ATEX and IECEx both relate to the safe use of equipment in explosive atmospheres, but they serve different purposes. ATEX is a European legal framework for equipment placed on the EU market. IECEx is an international certification system based on IEC standards, used to support global acceptance and verification of explosion-protected equipment.
ATEX certification confirms that equipment or protective systems meet the requirements of the ATEX Directive for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The term ATEX comes from the French phrase ATmosphères EXplosibles, meaning explosive atmospheres.
The ATEX Directive applies to equipment and protective systems that are intended for use where flammable gases, vapours, mists or combustible dusts could create an explosion risk. This includes many types of electrical and non-electrical equipment used in hazardous area zones.
ATEX certification is especially relevant for products such as:
For equipment placed on the EU market, ATEX certification is not simply a technical preference — it is part of the legal route to demonstrating conformity with essential health and safety requirements.
External reference: The European Commission explains that ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU covers equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
IECEx certification is an international certification system for equipment, services and personnel associated with explosive atmospheres. IECEx is operated by the International Electrotechnical Commission and is based on internationally recognised IEC standards, including the IEC 60079 series for explosive atmospheres.
Unlike ATEX, IECEx is not a regional legal directive. Instead, it provides a harmonised route for demonstrating that equipment has been independently assessed against international explosion protection standards.
An IECEx Certificate of Conformity provides traceable evidence that a product has been assessed by an approved Ex Certification Body and that the certificate can be checked through the official IECEx system.
Read more in our full guide: What is IECEx Certification?
IECEx is commonly used by international operators, EPCs, engineering contractors, OEMs and end users who need equipment that can support project specifications across multiple regions.
External reference: The official IECEx website describes IECEx as the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres.
Although ATEX and IECEx are closely related, they are not interchangeable. They often use similar technical standards and markings, but the legal status, certification route, documentation and geographic acceptance are different.
In simple terms: ATEX tells you whether equipment follows the required European route for explosive atmosphere safety. IECEx provides an internationally recognised certificate route based on IEC standards.
No — IECEx does not automatically replace ATEX. A product can be IECEx certified and still require ATEX conformity for placement on the EU market.
This is one of the most common misunderstandings in hazardous area specification. IECEx is extremely valuable because it provides independent international certification, but the legal requirements of the destination market must still be followed.
For example:
In practice, many high-quality hazardous area products are supplied with both ATEX and IECEx certification because the two schemes are often used together in global industrial projects.
For Great Britain, hazardous area equipment must also be considered in relation to the UK regulatory framework for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
After the UK left the EU, the UK introduced its own conformity marking framework for Great Britain. In many project conversations, this is often referred to as UKEX or UKCA Ex, depending on the context.
This means project teams may need to check whether equipment has:
External reference: UK Government guidance explains the requirements for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in Great Britain.
Many manufacturers choose to obtain both ATEX and IECEx certification because hazardous area projects are often international. A product may be designed in one country, certified by an international test body, purchased by an EPC contractor, installed offshore, and operated by a global end user.
Dual certification can help:
For high-risk environments, certification should never be treated as a tick-box exercise. The certificate must match the actual equipment, the hazardous area classification, the protection concept, the gas or dust group, the temperature class and any specific conditions of use.
Related guide: ATEX Certification & IECEx Certification of Equipment
When selecting hazardous area equipment, the marking and certificate should be checked carefully. A product being described as “ATEX” or “IECEx” is not enough on its own.
For more detail on certificate suffixes, read our guide: What is the “X” in Ex Certificates?
You should also consider temperature T-class ratings, minimum ignition energy and hazardous area classification when assessing equipment suitability.
ATEX and IECEx certification can apply to a wide range of hazardous area equipment. The correct product will depend on the zone classification, gas or dust group, temperature class, ambient conditions, process risk and installation requirements.
Typical ATEX and IECEx certified product ranges include:
Thorne & Derrick supply hazardous area equipment from leading manufacturers with technical support to help customers select products that match the required certification, hazardous area classification and installation conditions.
Even experienced buyers can misunderstand the relationship between ATEX and IECEx. The most common mistakes include:
Correct certification is only one part of hazardous area safety. Equipment must also be installed, inspected and maintained correctly by competent personnel in line with the site’s hazardous area classification and safety management procedures.
External reference: The Health and Safety Executive explains that explosive atmospheres can be caused by gases, mists, vapours or combustible dusts, and that controlling ignition sources and using suitable equipment are important risk reduction measures.
A: The main difference is that ATEX is a European legal framework for equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres, while IECEx is an international certification system based on IEC standards. ATEX is required for applicable equipment placed on the EU market, whereas IECEx supports international acceptance and certificate verification.
A: IECEx is widely recognised and can support technical evidence for explosion protection, but it does not remove the need to meet ATEX requirements for equipment placed on the EU market. Many manufacturers use IECEx test data and certification evidence alongside ATEX conformity processes.
A: Yes. Many hazardous area products are supplied with both ATEX and IECEx certification. Dual certification is common for international projects because it helps support both European and global specification requirements.
A: No. IECEx certification only confirms suitability within the limits stated on the certificate and product marking. The equipment must still match the hazardous area zone, gas or dust group, temperature class, equipment protection level, ambient temperature range and specific conditions of use.
A: No. ATEX can apply to both electrical and non-electrical equipment if the product is intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and falls within the scope of the directive. This can include mechanical equipment, protective systems, control devices and safety components.
A: Ex marking shows how equipment is certified for use in explosive atmospheres. It may include the equipment group, category or equipment protection level, protection method, gas or dust group, temperature class and certificate references. These markings help confirm whether the equipment is suitable for the intended hazardous area.
A: IECEx certificates can be checked through the official IECEx certificate database. The certificate number, manufacturer, product type and status should match the equipment being supplied.
A: The correct specification depends on the project location, market requirements, end-user standards and hazardous area classification. For EU projects, ATEX conformity is normally required. For international projects, IECEx may be requested. For global operators, dual ATEX and IECEx certification is often preferred where available.
ATEX and IECEx are closely connected, but they are not the same. ATEX is a European legal requirement for equipment and protective systems used in potentially explosive atmospheres, while IECEx is an international certification system that helps provide globally recognised evidence of explosion protection compliance.
For hazardous area projects, the safest approach is to check the complete certification picture: the legal market requirement, the IECEx or ATEX certificate, the Ex marking, the hazardous area zone, the gas or dust group, the temperature class, the equipment protection level and any specific conditions of use.
Thorne & Derrick can support the specification and supply of ATEX and IECEx certified equipment for hazardous area lighting, heating, heat tracing, power distribution, process instrumentation, plugs, connectors, enclosures and electrical safety applications.
Storm Goretti is already impacting Europe, bringing a combination of freezing temperatures, snow, ice and strong winds across key industrial regions. While transport disruption and power outages dominate headlines, the most serious risks are being felt quietly across hazardous area industrial sites where temperature control is fundamental to safe operation.
For industries such as oil & gas, petrochemical processing, offshore production, terminals, tank farms and chemical manufacturing, Storm Goretti is not simply a weather event. It is a direct threat to flow assurance, safety compliance, asset integrity and production continuity.
This article explores what Storm Goretti means for hazardous area operations, the specific technical issues sites will face, and how ATEX-certified heating and temperature maintenance solutions can prevent forced shutdowns, damage and lost revenue.
Storm Goretti is a powerful winter storm system that developed over the North Atlantic before intensifying as it moved into Western Europe. Meteorological agencies have issued widespread warnings for sub-zero temperatures, heavy snowfall, freezing rain and strong winds, with conditions expected to deteriorate rapidly in some regions.
What makes Storm Goretti particularly disruptive is not just the snowfall or wind, but the speed at which temperatures are dropping. Sudden cold snaps place significant thermal stress on industrial systems that rely on controlled heat input to remain operational.
For hazardous area sites, these conditions create a perfect storm for freezing, solidification, instrumentation failure and emergency shutdowns.
In hazardous environments, temperature is not simply a comfort issue – it is a critical process variable. Many fluids, chemicals and gases behave very differently as temperatures fall:
Without active temperature maintenance, these changes can lead to blocked pipelines, seized valves, damaged pumps and false instrument readings – all of which can trigger safety trips or forced shutdowns.
Oil & gas assets are especially exposed during extreme cold. Storm Goretti increases the risk of:
On offshore platforms and remote assets, access restrictions caused by weather make rapid intervention difficult, increasing reliance on permanently installed trace heating and hazardous area heaters.
Many chemical processes operate within tight temperature windows. Cold ingress during storms can cause:
Bulk storage and transfer operations face increased challenges as temperatures fall:
Crucially, many sites only discover these vulnerabilities after temperatures have dropped. By that point, options are limited and downtime is already unavoidable.
At Thorne & Derrick, we specialise in engineered heating solutions for hazardous areas, designed to maintain safe operating temperatures during extreme winter weather events such as Storm Goretti.
Typical mitigation strategies include:
All equipment is selected to meet the required zone classification, temperature class (T-class), ingress protection and duty cycle.
Thorne & Derrick International, based in the UK, are the leading stockists and suppliers of EXHEAT, Heatfast, Eltherm, Winkler & more – providing technical advice, quotations and fast worldwide delivery for both UK & export projects.
| Feature | Certified ATEX Heater | Non-Certified Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Hazardous Area Approval | ✔ Zone-rated | ✖ Not permitted |
| Temperature Control | ✔ T-Class compliant | ✖ Uncontrolled |
| Continuous Operation | ✔ Designed for duty | ✖ Short-term only |
Storm Goretti is not a future risk – it is a current one. Sites that delay preparation risk being forced into shutdowns rather than making controlled decisions.
Thorne & Derrick supply ATEX-certified heating solutions for storm response, winterisation and critical temperature maintenance.
The EXHEAT LFH is a purpose-built ATEX/IECEx-certified fan heater engineered for hazardous areas (Zone 1 & Zone 2 gas and Zone 21 & Zone 22 dust). It is commonly specified by engineers, safety managers and procurement teams who require robust performance, full certification and flexible installation options for industrial, offshore and process environments.
Key capabilities that set EXHEAT LFH apart:
To help buyers compare fairly, we summarise the capabilities of a typical portable ATEX-rated fan heater commonly offered by other suppliers (portable up to 18 kW class). This generic unit is designed for rapid plug-and-play deployment and is widely used for short-term, on-site heating tasks.
Typical characteristics: 18 kW power, 3-phase 400–440 V, high free airflow (2,100–2,500 m³/hr), IP65, portable with lifting handles and optional anti-static ducting. Suitable for temporary heating of small enclosures or short-duration tasks in Zones 1/2.
Specs matter — but so does how a heater performs on site. Below are practical advantages of choosing EXHEAT LFH for industrial deployments.
Below are practical points and a quick specification checklist to ensure safe, compliant and effective installation of any ATEX heater. Use this before installation and during your maintenance schedules.
In short: if you require a robust, scalable, long-term hazardous-area heating solution for large rooms, ducted applications or offshore/process environments — EXHEAT LFH is the superior choice. It delivers higher flexibility (mounting & ducting), industrial durability (stainless construction), strong certification coverage (ATEX / IECEx, Zone 1/2 & dust zones), and options for higher kW capacity when you need it.
A portable 18 kW ATEX heater is a useful tool for short-term or emergency work — but for professional installations where reliability, compliance and lifetime cost matter, LFH is the more future-proof investment.
Download datasheets or view EXHEAT LFH product pages for full technical details, or contact our technical sales team for site-specific sizing and ducting advice.
IECEx certification is an internationally recognised standard for verifying the safety of electrical and non-electrical equipment used in explosive (Ex) atmospheres. It provides independent proof that products, repair facilities, and even personnel meet globally accepted safety and quality requirements for hazardous locations.
For industries operating in potentially explosive atmospheres — such as oil & gas, chemical processing, energy, mining, and food production — IECEx certification helps ensure that installed equipment will not become an ignition source and cause an explosion.
IECEx stands for the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres. It is operated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) — the same global organisation that develops electrical and electronic standards used across over 80 member countries.
IECEx certification demonstrates that equipment has been independently tested and found to comply with the IEC 60079 series of standards. These standards specify how to design, test, and mark electrical and mechanical products for use where flammable gases, vapours, or dusts could ignite.
Unlike regional schemes such as ATEX certification for Hazardous Area Zones (mandatory in the EU), IECEx is an internationally harmonised, voluntary certification system — created to streamline compliance and remove trade barriers between different national approval schemes.
The IECEx certification process involves several stages of technical assessment and quality auditing, all carried out by independent accredited organisations. Here’s how manufacturers typically achieve certification:
The result is a traceable, transparent, and internationally recognised proof of compliance — valid in all countries participating in the IECEx System.
Yes — IECEx is recognised worldwide, with member countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. Although IECEx certification is voluntary, it is accepted in many regions as an equivalent or supporting approval for national compliance schemes.
For example:
This global acceptance allows manufacturers to reduce duplication of testing, shorten approval timelines, and demonstrate compliance to a consistent international standard.
IECEx is an abbreviation of “International Electrotechnical Commission Explosive Atmospheres.” It covers certification schemes for:
Each scheme provides its own form of certificate and audit process, all traceable through the official IECEx Certified Equipment database.
Although ATEX and IECEx share the same technical foundation (both use IEC 60079 standards), they differ in scope and purpose. ATEX is a legal requirement within the European Union, whereas IECEx is a voluntary international certification system designed to harmonise standards globally.
Read more on ATEX & IECEx | Approval of Electrical Equipment Used in Hazardous Areas & Explosive Atmospheres.
IECEx certification applies to a wide variety of industrial equipment designed for use in explosive or hazardous environments — anywhere electrical energy or surface temperature could ignite a flammable gas, vapour, or dust. Typical IECEx-certified product ranges include:
All of these product ranges must be IECEx-certified because they contain electrical or thermal components capable of becoming ignition sources if not properly designed. Certification ensures the equipment meets strict international standards for safety, construction, and temperature limitation — protecting both personnel and facilities in explosive environments.
A: No — IECEx is voluntary. It is not required by law but provides globally recognised proof of safety and quality for hazardous area equipment.
A: Yes — IECEx is recognised by over 30 member countries and accepted across many global markets. Some nations require additional national approvals, but IECEx is the foundation for most explosion-protection standards.
A: Yes — most manufacturers pursue dual certification. The same test data can support both systems, simplifying compliance for global markets.
A: All valid certificates are listed on the official IECEx Certificate Database, searchable by certificate number or company name.
IECEx certification offers a reliable, internationally accepted pathway to demonstrate the safety and quality of equipment used in explosive atmospheres. It aligns global standards, enhances confidence for operators and end users, and streamlines international trade in explosion-protected equipment. While not legally required in every country, IECEx remains a key indicator of product safety, quality, and compliance in hazardous environments worldwide.
Published 13 Mar 2020
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Published 04 Jul 2019
Press Release Date: 04.07.2019 uploaded by Chris Dodds (T&D Sales + Marketing Manager) Category: Stockist Distributor Agreement Announcement Thorne & Derrick International announce that they have signed a Preferred Distributor Agreement with Raytec, the world leading manufacturer of LED...
