JASANZ is the member body for the International Electrotechnical Commission for the Certification to Standards relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx Conformity Assessment System).

The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) has long been involved in developing International Standards for equipment used in hazardous areas. Set up in 1946, IEC TC (Technical Committee) 31: Equipment for explosive atmospheres, has a complete series of International Standards that cover all specific requirements for Ex equipment and systems, from general requirements to protection levels for apparatus used by all sectors that operate in hazardous environments, such as oil refineries, offshore oil rigs, gas plants, mines, sugar refineries, flour mills, grain silos and the paper and textile sectors.

To provide a global and credible means of ensuring compliance with its International Standards, the IEC established the IECEx System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres.

Since its inception in 1996, IECEx has established a number of Schemes that provide assurance that equipment and systems are manufactured and operated according to the highest international standards of safety in the areas of:

• Equipment by the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme
• Services by the IECEx Certified Service Facilities Scheme
• Personnel competence by the IECEx Certification of Personnel Competence Scheme (CoPC)

To guide our national interest and provide support, we have a national committee made of the Certification Bodies and other interested stakeholders that help to form Australia’s position on the international stage.

The 2023 IECEx Annual meetings of the IECEx System were held in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and it is located in central eastern Scotland, near the Firth of Forth, close to the North Sea. Thanks to its spectacular rocks, rustic buildings and a huge collection of medieval and classic architecture, including numerous stone decorations, it is often considered one of the most lively cities in Europe. The UK member body hosted this year and did an amazing job!

The first two days consisted of the ExTAG Meeting, which is the group responsible for testing and assessment. The meeting consisted of reports from the many working groups and was a chance for the test labs and certification bodies to provide feedback and raise any other issues.

Wednesday was an industry symposium. The symposium had a focus on equipment, services, people and hydrogen. The purpose was to provide an update on the regulatory structure in the UK, an update on standards and best practice, and opportunities arising from increase use of hydrogen technologies.

Hydrogen is very topical at the moment in the industry. The IECEx Symposium had representatives from the ISO TC 197 (Hydrogen Technologies and representatives from the Hydrogen Council. The presentations were insightful and offered an update on global trends, including a focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

The OIML (International Organisation of Legal Metrology) was also in attendance and gave a presentation on the organisation and how it operates. There is a joint working group (JWG) between the IECEx and the OIML to explore further opportunities for cooperation for the benefit of manufacturers in dealing with measuring instruments used in the Ex environment.

Thursday and Friday were the Management Committee (MC) meeting for all of the member bodies and other delegates that attended. The Australian delegation consisted of Sarah Wynn from JASANZ, Justin Gavranich, who was head of the Australian delegation, General Manager of Ex Testing and Certification and Chair of the JASANZ IECEx Advisory Committee (JIAC), and Jim Munro, who is a part of the committee and a consultant in the industry, with over twenty years experience.

The IECEx MC is an important annual meeting. It is an opportunity to report on actions during the year and vote on committee matters, and receive reports on the Conformity Assessment Board (CAB), and decisions that will affect the IECEx system.

It was the first in person meeting post COVID and was a chance to renew and create connections with other bodies in the IECEx Conformity Assessment System. JASANZ is very thankful to the UK member body for hosting the IECEx MC meetings and looks forward to the meetings next year in Brazil.

For more information, please contact Sarah Wynn or Matthew Pitt.