Abstract :
There are two types of EC Directive. 100A Product Directives deal with the removal of barriers to trade throughout the EC, and 118A Workplace Directives deal with the protection of people in the workplace. The ATEX Product Directive will be implemented in the UK workplace by an amendment to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 (PUWER) and places duties on equipment users as well as manufacturers regarding the initial integrity of equipment. PUWER was introduced to support the 118A Use of Work Equipment Directive (UWED). PUWER has no bearing on equipment installed prior to 2003, so whether a 118A ATEX Directive is published or not, users will be obliged to purchase only equipment which meets ATEX requirements in order to fulfil their legal obligations. Other aspects of ATEX Directives, standards, and installation rules for electrical and nonelectrical equipment are discussed