2025.09.21 – ATEX 2014/34/EU, EC-Type Examination Certificate, BVS 12 ATEX E 059 X, DEKRA, PARALUX PX2, European Community

Summary

ATEX 2014/34/EU regulates equipment and protective systems used in explosive atmospheres and replaced Directive 94/9/EC on 20 April 2016. The PARALUX PX2 flashlight is certified under this directive, with the code BVS 12 ATEX E 059 X confirming its compliance. This code integrates the certifier BVS, now part of DEKRA, the year of issue, the type of certificate, and the special conditions of safe use. The abbreviation EC in EC-type examination means European Community.

Context and Scope

The scope includes the ATEX directive, its aims, the categories of equipment, and the specific conformity assessment required. It covers the PARALUX PX2 flashlight markings, the meaning of the EC-type examination certificate, the breakdown of the code BVS 12 ATEX E 059 X, and the organizational roles of BVS and DEKRA. Each technical term is explained immediately at its first appearance.

Exhaustive Narrative of Facts

ATEX 2014/34/EU Directive and Purpose

ATEX 2014/34/EU regulates equipment and protective systems intended for use in explosive atmospheres. ATEX stands for ATmosphères EXplosibles. The directive came into force on 20 April 2016, replacing Directive 94/9/EC. Its purpose is to protect workers and the environment by enforcing strict requirements for design, manufacture, and traceability before equipment can be marketed in the European Union.

Scope of Application

The directive applies to electrical and mechanical equipment used in explosive atmospheres, protective systems that can stop or limit explosions, and essential safety components such as seals and sensors. It covers both gas and combustible dust atmospheres.

Equipment Groups and Categories

Equipment is divided into three groups. Group I is for underground mining, where risks include methane and coal dust. Group II is for surface industries with explosive gases. Group III is for surface industries with explosive dust.
Within each group, three categories define levels of protection. Category 1 offers very high protection, remaining safe even if two independent faults occur. Category 2 provides high protection under normal conditions and foreseeable faults. Category 3 provides normal protection under normal operating conditions. Examples include II 2G, meaning Group II, Category 2, gas, and II 2D, meaning Group II, Category 2, dust.

Requirements for Compliance

The directive requires safe design and manufacture, conformity assessment by a notified body such as DEKRA, CE and Ex markings that include group, category, gas or dust type, and temperature class. Documentation includes a complete technical file and a European Union Declaration of Conformity signed by the manufacturer.

Markings on PARALUX PX2 and Immediate Explanation

The PARALUX PX2 flashlight is marked II 2G Ex ib op is IIB T4 Gb and II 2D Ex ib op is IIIC T105°C Db IP68.

• Group II means surface industries.
• Category 2 means it is suitable for explosive atmospheres under normal conditions.
• Ex ib refers to intrinsic safety with protection level ib.
• Op is refers to optical radiation inherent safety.
• IIB and IIIC indicate gas and dust groups.
• T4 means the surface temperature will not exceed 135 °C.
• IP68 means the product is dust-tight and submersible.

These markings confirm the flashlight is certified for explosive zones with both gases and dust, provided that only the approved batteries are used and all specified conditions are respected.

EC-Type Examination Certificate and Meaning of EC

An EC-type examination certificate is a conformity assessment under ATEX 2014/34/EU and other directives. EC stands for European Community. This certificate shows that a notified body has examined the design and confirmed compliance with the essential safety requirements.

Certificate Contents

The certificate includes identification of the equipment such as the PARALUX PX2, the ATEX markings authorized, the harmonized standards applied, special conditions of safe use when present, and technical documentation including drawings, specifications, and testing.

Certificate Issuers and BVS Identity

Certificates can only be issued by notified bodies recognized by the European Union. DEKRA Testing and Certification GmbH, notified body number 0158, is an example. Historically, the certifier was BVS, short for Bergbau-Versuchsstrecke, which means Experimental Mining Gallery in German. BVS was a German test body specializing in mining safety. Its role is now part of DEKRA, but BVS codes are still used in certificate numbering.

Example Certificate for PARALUX PX2 and Code Breakdown

The PX2 certificate reads BVS 12 ATEX E 059 X.

• BVS identifies the certifier, historically Bergbau-Versuchsstrecke, now DEKRA.
• 12 is the year 2012.
• ATEX refers to Directive 2014/34/EU, formerly 94/9/EC.
• E confirms this is an EC-type examination certificate.
• 059 is the sequential certificate number.
• X indicates specific conditions of safe use.

Conditions Indicated by the Suffix X

The suffix X shows there are special conditions of use. For the PX2, these conditions are: only use the listed batteries, never open the flashlight in explosive atmospheres, and operate it within –20 °C to +40 °C.

Practical Takeaways

• ATEX 2014/34/EU governs equipment for explosive atmospheres and has been in force since 20 April 2016, replacing Directive 94/9/EC.
• The directive applies to electrical and mechanical equipment, protective systems, and safety components for gas and dust atmospheres.
• Groups I, II, and III define application areas, with categories 1, 2, and 3 indicating protection levels.
• The PARALUX PX2 markings describe its safety features, temperature class, and environmental protection.
• An EC-type examination certificate, where EC means European Community, confirms that design assessment has been carried out by a notified body.
• BVS was a German mining safety test body; today DEKRA Testing and Certification GmbH, NB 0158, continues its function.
• The code BVS 12 ATEX E 059 X documents the certifier, year, directive, type of certificate, certificate number, and special conditions.
• The suffix X requires compliance with conditions such as use of listed batteries, not opening the flashlight in explosive zones, and limiting operation to –20 °C to +40 °C.