The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017

PART 3 N.I. CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT

Presumption of conformity N.I.

38.—(1) A product which is in conformity with a harmonised standard (or part of such a standard) the reference to which has been published in the Official Journal is presumed to be in conformity with the essential health and safety requirements covered by that standard (or that part of that standard).

(2) The presumption in paragraph (1) is rebuttable.

Conformity assessment procedures N.I.

39.—(1) For the assessment of conformity of equipment, and where necessary those devices referred to at regulation 3(2)(b), the manufacturer shall follow one of the following procedures—

(a) for equipment-groups I and II, equipment-categories M 1 and 1, the manufacturer shall follow the EU-type examination set out in Annex III to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time), in conjunction with—

(i) conformity to type based on quality assurance of the production process as set out in Annex IV to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time); or

(ii) conformity to type based on product verification as set out in Annex V to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);

(b) for equipment-groups I and II, equipment-categories M 2 and 2, the manufacturer shall follow—

(i) for internal combustion engines and electrical equipment in these groups and categories, the EU-type examination referred to in Annex III to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time) in conjunction with—

(aa) conformity to type based on internal production control plus supervised product testing as referred to in Annex VI to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time); or

(bb) conformity to type based on product quality assurance as set out in Annex VII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);

(ii) for other equipment in these groups and categories—

(aa) the procedure relating to internal production control referred to in Annex VIII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time); and

(bb) the provision to a notified body of the technical documentation provided for in paragraph 2 of Annex VIII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);

(c) for equipment-group II, equipment category 3, the procedure relating to internal production control referred to in Annex VIII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);

(d) for equipment-groups I and II, instead of the procedures referred to in paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c), the manufacturer may follow conformity based on unit verification referred to in Annex IX to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time).

(2) The procedure referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (d) shall be used for the conformity assessment of protective systems.

(3) For the assessment of conformity of components, the manufacturer shall—

(a) follow the procedures referred to in paragraph (1), with the exception of—

(i) affixing the CE marking; and

(ii) drawing up of the EU declaration of conformity;

(b) issue a written attestation of conformity which shall—

(i) confirm conformity of the component with Part 2 of these Regulations;

(ii) state the characteristics of the component; and

(iii) explain how the component shall be incorporated into equipment or protective systems to comply with the essential health and safety requirements.

(4) In respect of the safety aspects referred to in paragraph 13 of Schedule 1, instead of the conformity assessment procedures referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2), the manufacturer may follow the procedure referred to in Annex VIII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time).

(5) Where the procedures referred to in paragraphs (1), (2) and (4) have not been applied, the market surveillance authority, may authorise the placing on the market and the putting into service, of a product other than a component, in the [F1 relevant state] concerned where—

(a) the market surveillance authority is in receipt of a duly justified request, requesting the placing on the market and the putting into service of a product, other than a component; and

(b) the use of the product is in the interests of protection.

(6) The manufacturer shall ensure that the documents and correspondence relating to the conformity assessment procedures referred to in paragraphs (1) to (4) are in the language determined by the [F2 relevant state] in which the product is made available on the market.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 39(5) substituted (10.8.2023) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/861), regs. 1(b), 5(1)

F2 Words in reg. 39(6) substituted (10.8.2023) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/861), regs. 1(b), 5(1)

EU declaration of conformity N.I.

40.  The EU declaration of conformity for a product shall—

(a) state that the fulfilment of the essential health and safety requirements have been demonstrated in respect of the product;

(b) have the model structure set out in Schedule 6; and

(c) contain the elements specified in Annexes III to IX to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time) for the relevant conformity assessment procedure followed in respect of the product.

CE marking N.I.

41.—(1) The CE marking shall be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the product or the product's data plate.

(2) Where it is not possible or warranted, on account of the nature of the product, to affix the CE marking in accordance with paragraph (1), the CE marking shall be affixed to—

(a) the packaging; and

(b) the accompanying documents.

(3) The CE marking shall be followed by the identification number of the notified body which carried out the relevant conformity assessment procedure for the product, where that body is involved in the production control phase.

(4) The identification number of the notified body shall be affixed—

(a) by the notified body itself; or

(b) under the instructions of the notified body, by the manufacturer or the authorised representative.

(5) The CE marking and, where applicable, the identification number of the notified body shall be followed by—

(a) the specific marking of explosion protection as referred to in paragraph 5(1)(f) of Schedule 1;

(b) the symbols of the equipment-group and category; and

(c) where applicable, the other markings and information referred to in paragraph 5 of Schedule 1.

(6) Products designed for a particular explosive atmosphere shall be marked accordingly.

[F3 UK(NI) indication N.I.

41A.— (1) Where the CE marking is affixed on the basis of an assessment or a certificate issued by a notified body established in the United Kingdom, a UK(NI) indication must be affixed in relation to the product, in accordance with this regulation.

(2) The UK(NI) indication must be affixed—

(a) visibly, legibly and indelibly; and

(b) before a product is placed on the market in Northern Ireland.

(3) The UK(NI) indication must accompany the CE marking, wherever that is affixed in accordance with regulation 7.

(4) The UK(NI) indication must be affixed by—

(a) the manufacturer; or

(b) the manufacturer's authorised representative.

(5) When placing a product on the market in Northern Ireland, an importer must ensure that the manufacturer has complied with their obligations under this regulation.

Textual Amendments

F3 Regs. 41A, 41B inserted (10.8.2023) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/861), regs. 1(b), 5(2)

Register of notified bodies established in the United Kingdom N.I.

41B.— (1) The Secretary of State must ensure that—

(a) each notified body established in the United Kingdom is assigned an identification number; and

(b) there is a register of—

(i) notified bodies established in the United Kingdom;

(ii) their notified body identification number;

(iii) the activities for which they have been notified; and

(iv) any restrictions on those activities.

(2) The Secretary of State must ensure that the register referred to in paragraph (1) is maintained and made publicly available.

(3) The Secretary of State may authorise the United Kingdom Accreditation Service to compile and maintain the register in accordance with paragraph (1)(b).]

Textual Amendments

F3 Regs. 41A, 41B inserted (10.8.2023) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/861), regs. 1(b), 5(2)