10. Does the ATEX directive apply to my product?

Many managers of companies where an explosive atmosphere consisting of air and flammable substances in the form of gases, vapors, mists or combustible dusts may exist ask their suppliers to declare that their products are designed and manufactured in compliance with the ATEX Directive. There is no doubt about this for products such as electrical equipment, compressors and heat engines, and the process of compliance and the means of proving it are well known to manufacturers.

The situation is quite different for products for which no requirements were made before Directive 94/9/EC came into force and which, a priori, do not appear to be a source of risk....