Regulations for the placing on the market of equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
A potentially explosive atmosphere is created when air, under atmospheric conditions, is mixed with an explosive substance in the form of gas, dust, vapours or mist. The mixture becomes explosive at the presence of an adequate ignition source and under certain operating conditions.
Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres cover a range of products, including those used on fixed offshore platforms, petrochemical plants, mines, flour mills and other fields of industry.
These products fall within the scope of Directive 2014/34/EU relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. This Directive, also known as the ATEX Directive, regulates the free movement of these products, for which the CE mark is required as well as additional markings with reference to the group and category of each product and the special marking for explosion «ΕΧ».
The provisions of the above Directive were transposed into the Cyprus legislation by means of harmonised Regulations titled «
The Essential Requirements (Equipment and Protective Systems intended for use in Explosive Atmospheres) Regulations of 2016 (R.A.A. 199/2016)». These Regulations were published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on 8.7.2016.
ATEX Guide
The European Commission, assisted by the Experts Committee for the ATEX Directive, issued on December 2017 the 2nd edition of the
ATEX Guide in English to help manufacturers of ATEX products to interpret and apply the provisions of the Directive in a uniform manner. The Guide is not legally binding, but utilising it, manufacturers and other stakeholders such as Notified Bodies are able to properly implement their duties, as these arise from the provisions of the Directive.
Code of Practice for the Management of Risks in an Explosive Environment
On 2.1.2008 the
Code of Practice for the management of Risks in an Explosive Environment was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic.
The Code of Practice for the Management of Risks in an Explosive Environment provides practical guidance to employers to apply the provisions of the Safety and Health at Work (Minimum Requirements for the Protection of Persons at Work from Risks from Explosive Atmospheres) Regulations of 2002 (R.A.A. 291/2002). The implementation of the Code of Practice is not compulsory but if applied, it provides proof of compliance with the above Regulations.
The above Regulations transpose into the Cyprus legislation the provisions of Directive 1999/92/EC, also known as «User ATEX» which deals with the minimum requirements for improving the level of health and safety protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres. The Directive complements the responsibilities of manufacturers under Directive 2014/34/EU by setting out the responsibilities of employers.
Department of Labour Inspection
Last updated 13.10.2020