In short, CE marking is the “passport” for products to enter the EU market; ATEX is one of the specific regulations that explosive‑atmosphere equipment must satisfy to obtain that CE marking; and IECEx is an “international passport” designed for global mutual recognition.

For a clearer overview, here is a comparison table:

CE Marking: The “Entry Permit” for the EU Market

CE marking is a mandatory safety mark required by EU law for many products. It signifies that the product meets the essential health and safety requirements of the relevant EU directives, and it serves as the “passport” for free movement within the EU market.

l  For explosive‑atmosphere equipment: A prerequisite for obtaining CE marking is that the equipment must comply with the ATEX Explosive Atmospheres Directive.

l  Marking method: On explosion‑protected equipment, the CE mark is usually accompanied by a dedicated Ex mark (a hexagon containing “Ex”).

ATEX: The “Mandatory Regulation” in the EU

ATEX derives from the French “Atmosphères Explosibles” (explosive atmospheres). It is a mandatory regulation for explosive‑atmosphere equipment in the EU, currently implemented under Directive 2014/34/EU.

l  Core status: It is the legal requirement that must be followed to place explosive‑atmosphere equipment on the EU market. Its technical requirements and test standards (EN standards) are very similar to those of IECEx.

l  Certification process: Typically includes product type examination and production quality system audits. A unique feature is that it allows “certification before factory inspection” – the product can receive a provisional certificate after testing, but the production site must be audited within 6 months.

l  Applicable products: Covers various types of electrical and non‑electrical equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres and sold or used within the EU.

IECEx: An “International Passport”

IECEx is an international voluntary certification system established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its aim is to harmonise national standards and eliminate technical trade barriers through the principle of “one test, one certificate, accepted globally”.

l  Core value: Although IECEx certification itself is voluntary, it is widely recognised in many countries and regions worldwide, significantly reducing the cost of repeated testing when entering multiple markets.

l  Technical standards: Directly adopts the IEC 60079 series of international standards, which are technically closely aligned with the EN standards used in ATEX.

l  Certification process: Emphasises the concurrent execution of testing and factory audit, with strict requirements for the production quality system.

Relationships and Interactions Among the Three

1. ATEX and CE are “cause” and “effect”: Within the EU, compliance with the ATEX Directive is a mandatory prerequisite for explosive‑atmosphere equipment to bear the CE mark and be placed on the market.

2. ATEX and IECEx are “regional regulation” vs. “global solution”:

l  Similarities: Their technical standards are highly harmonised, allowing products to apply for both certifications simultaneously – a “one review, two certificates” approach that saves time and cost.

l  Differences: ATEX is a legally mandatory requirement within the EU, whereas IECEx is an international voluntary mutual recognition scheme. An ATEX certificate may not be accepted outside the EU in some cases, while an IECEx certificate enjoys broader recognition among its 58 member countries.

3. “Dual marking” in practice: To cover both the EU market and other international markets, many products now undergo both ATEX and IECEx certification, and the nameplate shows both certification numbers and marks.

Summary 

l  CE marking is the ultimate goal – it indicates that the product may be placed on the EU market.

l  ATEX is the legal requirement that must be met within the EU to achieve that goal.

l  IECEx is an international passport that facilitates access to many countries worldwide.

If your products are mainly for the EU market, ATEX certification is mandatory and is the prerequisite for obtaining CE marking. If your target markets are global, then applying for IECEx certification will greatly simplify the entry processes in various countries. In practice, applying for both ATEX and IECEx certification at the same time is a common and efficient strategy to satisfy both EU and international market requirements.