Directive 2014/34/EU – equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
Objective
This Directive applies to electrical and non-electrical equipment and protective devices and systems (e.g. surface and mining equipment) used in (potentially) explosive atmospheres.
The Directive repeals its antecessor Directive, Dir 94/9 EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
Contents
The Directive establishes EU wide prescriptions on the sale and the use of equipment and protective systems for the use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Thus its rules apply to a wide range of equipment regardless of the economic sector.
Equipment and protective devices and systems covered by the scope of the Directive must meet certain essential safety and health requirements (common requirements for all devices and systems and additional requirements) which are defined in the Annexes of the Directive.
The Directive defines procedures under which devices and systems can obtain the CE marking. Each manufacturer must must carry out a safety and conformity assessment and provide technical documentation as well as safety instructions. Furthermore it sets out procedures for the control of devices and systems by national notification bodies. If devices and systems comply with market conformity, Member States shall not hinder market access and circulation while unsafe products shall be prevented from having market access.
Annexes
Annex I: Criteria determining the classification of equipment-groups into categories
Annex II: Essential health and safety requirements relating to the design and construction of equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
Annex III: Module B: EU-type examination
Annex IV: Module D: Conformity to type based on quality assurance of the production process
Annex V: Module F: Conformity to type based on product verification
Annex VI: Module C1: Conformity to type based on internal production control plus supervised product testing
Annex VII: Module E: Conformity to type based on product quality assurance
Annex VIII: Module A: Internal production control
Annex IX: Module G: Conformity based on unit verification
Annex X: EU declaration of conformity
Annex XI: Repealed Directive with list of the successive amendments thereto / Time limits for transposition into national law and dates of application (referred to in Article 43)
Annex XII: Correlation table (with Dir 94/9 EC)
Read the full text of the consolidated version of the Directive (including corrections for certain languages)
Read the full text of the original Directive (without corrections)
National measures implementing this Directive
Further information on this topic
See also information of the European Commission - DG Growth
Commission Guidelines on Dir 2014/34 EU - First edition