Explosion hazards

Integral product explosion protection is governed by directive 2014/34/EU, “Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres”. Products may be distributed only if they comply with the essential safety requirements detailed in Annex II of this directive.

In co-operation with OH&S experts, KAN calls for the essential safety requirements of the directive are adequately formulated in the existing European and international standards and draft standards.

Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX 137) governs the health and safety of workers at the workplace and is transposed into national law by the (German) Workplace Safety Regulations (Betriebssicherheitsverordnung) and the (German) Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (Gefahrstoffverordnung). At European level, a guide exists for directive 1999/92/EC which facilitates its application. From the perspective of occupational health and safety, the criteria laid down in the Policy paper (pdf) regarding provisions within the sphere of health and safety at the workplace in standards, in accordance with the European legislative principles, are also to apply to the sphere of explosion protection. In co-operation with OH&S experts, KAN reviews whether the European and international standards and draft standards existing in this area fulfil this requirement.