The ‘CE’ Mark is often though of as a product safety mark that can be obtained by third party testing. Many manufacturers do not realise their liability, or there alternatives in obtaining the legitimate use of the ‘CE Marking’ The existence of the European Community (EC) has resulted in a new series of community laws relating to the marketing and purchase of electrical equipment and plant for use at work.

The objective of the system is to remove technical barriers to trade within the EC and every Member State will therefore have its own Regulations which implement each EC Directive from a date subsequent to the adoption date of the Directive itself.....

A Basic guide to what an ATEX Quality Module is (and isn't!) and who should have one!

The article deals with the different types of module, why we do not have 'ATEX Shops' and the relationship between the Quality Module and ISO9001:2000.

The proposed sweeping reform of general fire safety legislation in England and Wales will affect employers and virtually all those responsible for non-domestic premises. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) for England and Wales comes into force on

01 October 2006 with Scotland and Northern Ireland considering parallel changes. It will attempt to simplify, rationalise and consolidate existing legislation.

With around 120 items of fire safety-related legislation, it is inevitable that overlapping and confusing inconsistencies arise in existing fire safety provisions. These can bewilder the professional, never mind the layperson. This article attempts to clarify both the changes and the new requirements mandatory by law.

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) came into force on 9^th December 2002 and applies to workplaces in the majority of industrial and commercial sector.

DSEAR provides for the protection against risks from fire, explosion and similar events arising from dangerous substances used or present in the workplace, and sets minimum requirements for the protection of workers from fire and explosion risks related to dangerous substances and potentially explosive atmospheres.

This article full explains what DSEAR is and how it may effect you.

What are the differences between the Zone and Division systems in hazardous (classified) locations?

Zone? Division? What are the similarities and differences?

Aims of both are to promote safety by protecting against the ignition of flammable gases by electrical arcing or electrically heated surfaces. Also, both systems work with the same natural laws of physics and chemistry, such as gas ignition temperatures and combustible percentages of volatile gases.

This article covers how equipment was marked prior to ATEX and how that has changed under ATEX for both electrical and non-electrical equipment.

This article also clearly explains the cryptic ATEX 'coding' system and how to read or apply it in various situations.