The ATEX (Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres) Directive applies to electrical and mechanical equipment and protective systems for use on the surface, below ground and on fixed offshore installations.
The current Directive (2014/34/EU) replaced the original Directive (94/9/EC). It has been a requirement to CE mark against the ATEX Directive since it first came into force on the 1st March 1996, however there was a transitional period up to 1st July 2003.
Certain products are excluded from the scope:
(a) Medical devices intended for use in medical environments.
(b) Equipment and protective systems where the explosion hazard results solely from the presence of explosive or chemically unstable substances.
(c) Equipment intended for use in domestic and non-commercial environments where potentially explosive atmospheres may only rarely be created, solely as a result of the accidental leakage of fuel gas.
(d) Items covered by the Personal Protective Equipment Directive>(e) Seagoing vessels and mobile offshore units together with equipment and protective systems on board such vessels or units.
(f) Means of transport, that is vehicles and their trailers intended for transporting passengers and/or goods by air or on road, rail or water networks. Vehicles intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere are not excluded.
(g) Equipment specifically designed for military purposes