ATEX is a mandatory EU directive (2014/34/EU) that applies to equipment placed on the European Union market for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. IECEx is a voluntary international certification scheme administered by the IEC, accepted in Australia, South Africa, the Gulf region, Southeast Asia, and many other countries. Both systems are based on the same IEC 60079 technical standards, meaning dual-certified equipment offers equivalent protection with documentation valid in both markets.
When sourcing explosion-proof cameras for facilities operating across multiple countries — a common situation for oil majors, chemical multinationals, and EPC contractors — understanding the difference between ATEX and IECEx determines which certificates are required at each site. Using a camera that is ATEX-certified but not IECEx at a site in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or Australia may create a compliance gap requiring re-certification or alternative sourcing. This guide explains what each scheme certifies, where each is accepted, and how to navigate dual-standard procurement.
What ATEX Certifies
ATEX (ATmospheres EXplosibles) refers to two EU directives: the Equipment Directive (2014/34/EU, formerly 94/9/EC ATEX 95) covering equipment and protective systems, and the Workplace Directive (1999/92/EC, ATEX 137) covering minimum requirements for worker protection. When procurement teams refer to “ATEX certification,” they mean compliance with the Equipment Directive.
ATEX certification requires: technical documentation reviewed by a Notified Body (an EU-approved third-party testing organization), testing of the equipment against relevant IEC 60079 standards, issue of an EC Type Examination Certificate by the Notified Body, a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) signed by the manufacturer, and affixing of the CE marking plus the Ex hexagon symbol. Equipment certified under ATEX may be sold freely throughout the EU single market without additional national approvals.
What IECEx Certifies
IECEx (IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres) is administered by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It is a voluntary scheme — no country is legally required to adopt it — but a growing number of national regulators accept IECEx certificates as evidence of compliance with local requirements, reducing or eliminating the need for separate national testing.
IECEx certification is issued by a certification body accredited by the IECEx Secretariat. The certificate specifies the applicable IEC 60079 standards, test reports, and conditions of safe use. Unlike ATEX, IECEx does not require a CE mark. The IECEx certificate number follows the format: IECEx [Body Code] [Year].[Number] — for example, IECEx UL 2022.0047X. These certificates are publicly searchable at ex.iecex.com, which is a significant advantage for procurement verification.
Technical Equivalence: The Shared IEC 60079 Foundation
Both ATEX and IECEx are based on the IEC 60079 series of standards (IEC 60079-0 general requirements, -1 flameproof Ex d, -11 intrinsic safety Ex i, -18 encapsulation Ex m, and so on). Because the technical standards are identical, equipment that passes ATEX testing to IEC 60079-1 is technically equivalent to equipment that passes IECEx testing to the same standard. The difference lies in the administrative process, documentation format, and the bodies that issue the certificates — not in the level of protection provided.
This shared foundation is why the IECEx ExTR (External Test Report) scheme allows manufacturers holding ATEX certificates to obtain IECEx certification with reduced testing, by using the existing ATEX test reports. The reverse path also exists. For explosion-proof cameras already ATEX-certified, obtaining IECEx is typically a documentation and audit process rather than full re-testing. For more on the certification markings you should see on ATEX and IECEx cameras, see our ATEX and IECEx certification guide.
Geographic Coverage Comparison
| Scheme | Mandatory / Voluntary | Key Markets | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATEX | Mandatory in EU | EU, UK (UKEX post-Brexit), Norway, Turkey, many adopters | CE + Ex hexagon; DoC from manufacturer |
| IECEx | Voluntary internationally | Australia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Singapore, India | IECEx certificate number; searchable at ex.iecex.com |
| NEC (US) | Mandatory in US (via AHJ) | United States, Canada (with CSA variant) | UL/FM/CSA listing mark; Division or Zone system |
| Dual ATEX + IECEx | Both schemes | EU + global project coverage | Both certificate formats; accepted in ~50+ countries |
Post-Brexit: UKEX and Great Britain Compliance
After the United Kingdom left the EU in 2021, ATEX certificates issued by EU Notified Bodies are no longer automatically valid for equipment placed on the Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) market. The UK created its own scheme — UKEX — which mirrors ATEX but requires a UK Approved Body to issue a UK Type Examination Certificate, and requires the UKCA mark (plus the UK Ex mark) instead of the CE mark. Northern Ireland continues to accept ATEX under the Windsor Framework. Most major explosion-proof equipment manufacturers, including Veilux, hold or are in the process of obtaining UKEX certificates alongside their ATEX certifications.
Practical Guidance for Global Projects
For projects spanning EU, Middle East, Australia, and Southeast Asia, specifying cameras with both ATEX and IECEx certifications eliminates the need to source different equipment for different regions. Dual-certified cameras are available from reputable manufacturers and carry both the ATEX CE + Ex mark and an IECEx certificate number. For US sites, a separate NEC/UL listing is required; most Class I Division 1 certified cameras also carry ATEX and IECEx for export. The Class I Division 1 vs ATEX Zone 1 crosswalk guide details how to manage compliance across both the North American NEC system and the international IEC/ATEX framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IECEx the same as ATEX?
Not the same, but based on identical technical standards. ATEX is a mandatory EU directive; IECEx is a voluntary international scheme. Both use IEC 60079, so the protection level is equivalent. Dual-certified equipment works in both markets.
Which countries require IECEx?
Australia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Singapore are key IECEx-adopting markets. Many others accept IECEx as evidence of compliance with national standards.
Can ATEX-certified equipment be used in Australia without IECEx?
Australian regulators typically require an IECEx certificate specifically. ATEX alone may not satisfy Australian compliance requirements. Dual ATEX + IECEx certification is the safest specification for projects that include Australian sites.
What is an ATEX Declaration of Conformity?
The Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is signed by the manufacturer, stating compliance with the ATEX directive. It must accompany the EC Type Examination Certificate issued by the Notified Body. Both are required. The DoC alone without the Certificate is insufficient for compliance purposes.
Does Veilux equipment have both ATEX and IECEx?
Yes. Veilux SVEX-series cameras hold both ATEX (II 2G) and IECEx certifications, plus Class I Division 1 listings for North American sites. Certificate documents are available on request.
For global projects requiring both ATEX and IECEx documentation, Veilux provides complete certificate packages with each order. Contact our team with your project locations and we will confirm which certificates apply to each site.
Key Industry Standards and References
The IECEx scheme is administered under IEC 60079 at IECEx.com. ATEX requirements are set by the European Commission ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU. NRTL equivalency for North America is overseen by the OSHA NRTL Program.
Related Resources
- ATEX Category 1, 2, 3 Equipment Guide
- NEC vs ATEX Hazardous Area Classification Crosswalk
- ATEX Zone 0, Zone 1, Zone 2 Camera Selection Guide
- Explosion-Proof Camera Certification Audit Guide
- Explosion-Proof Camera Selection Guide
- Request a Project Quote
About the Author
Daniel Fernandez
Daniel Fernandez is a hazardous area security systems specialist with over a decade of experience specifying ATEX, IECEx, UL Class I Division 1, and cUL certified surveillance equipment for oil and gas, chemical, mining, pharmaceutical, and offshore environments. He holds expertise in NEC and IEC area classification standards and has consulted on explosion-proof camera system designs across North America, Europe, and the Middle East.