TÜV SÜD has launched its ATEX Directive certification service for both CE marking and UKCA mark compliance.
From 1 January 2021 new products being released onto the UK market have had to apply the UKCA mark. CE marking compliance certificates, previously issued for the EU’s ATEX Directive for products already available on the market, will cease to be valid after 1 January 2023 and must instead apply the new UKCA mark.
As TÜV SÜD now holds dual accreditation as an ATEX Directive Notified Body and UKCA Approved Body, it can continue to support manufacturers in maintaining CE certification for EU markets, as well as gain UKCA approval.
The ATEX Directive covers all explosion-proof equipment and systems, including anything used within, or in conjunction with potentially explosive atmospheres. This includes safety, control and regulation devices, as well as protective components, equipment and systems.
Paul Taylor, Business Development Director for Industrial Services (UK) at TÜV SÜD, said: “Manufacturers of explosion-proof equipment and systems must conform to standards that apply to the market into which they are being sold. By maintaining our EU ATEX Directive Notified Body status and becoming a UKCA Approved Body, TÜV SÜD can help businesses to seamlessly comply will both requirements. We will support them in ensuring that it remains ‘business as usual’ as they can carry on supplying EU and UK markets.”
While EU Exit Statutory Instruments enable the UKCA Marking requirements to replace CE Marking, the UK’s standards will remain the same as EU harmonised standards, to maintain a single model. After 1st January 2021, end-users in the UK will already have started to see a UKCA mark appearing on compliant products.
