The International Organization for Standardization, widely known as “ISO,” is an international standards body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. Founded on 23 February 1947, the organization promulgates worldwide industrial and commercial standards. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. While ISO is not a governmental organization, its ability to set standards that often become law, either through treaties or national standards, makes it more powerful than most non-governmental organizations. In practice, ISO acts as a consortium with strong links to governments.

Equipment and protective systems intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres, ATEX Directive, 94/9/EC is a so-called “New Approach” Directive which provides the technical requirements to be applied to equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The Directive has been mandatory from 1st July 2003. Manufacturers who apply its provisions and affix the CE marking are able to sell their equipment anywhere in Europe without any further requirements with respect to the risks covered. In effect this means access to the largest Single Market in the world, including over 450 million citizens. The Directive covers a surprisingly large range of equipment, potentially including equipment used on fixed offshore platforms, in petrochemical plants, mines, flour mills and other areas where a potentially explosive atmosphere may be present. There are three pre-conditions for the Directive to apply.

The equipment:

• • must have its own source of ignition.
  • be intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere (air mixtures).
  • be under normal atmospheric conditions.

The Directive also covers components essential for the safe use and safety devices directly contributing to the safe use of the equipment in scope. These latter devices may be outside the potentially explosive environment

Factory Mutual Approvals (FM) tests and approves electrical equipment for compliance with electrical shock, fire and injury requirements. Certification by FM Approvals assures customers that electrical equipment has been manufactured in accordance with recognized safety standards and requirements governing that particular product. Electrical equipment testing is based on FM Approvals Approval Standard and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards. Since product certification has become a requirement for participation in many global markets, FM Approvals can provide assistance toward global certification of electrical products.

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is a leader in standards development. CSA is a not-for-profit association composed of representatives from industry. Its mark appears on thousands of qualified products sold annually, around the world. Approval by CSA or another recognized national testing laboratory is required by law for many products sold within Canada. CSA develops product safety and performance standards including those for electrical and electronic equipment, industrial equipment, compressed gas handling appliances, environmental protection, and construction materials. The CSA is a division of CSA Group which also includes CSA International, a global certification and testing organization.