ATEX Module B Explained
Technical documentation and representative product samples are assessed during ATEX EU-Type Examination.
ATEX Module B, formally known as EU-Type Examination, is a conformity assessment procedure defined in Annex III of Directive 2014/34/EU. An ATEX Notified Body examines the technical design and a specimen representative of the intended production to determine whether the product type meets the applicable requirements of the Directive.
If the type satisfies those requirements, the Notified Body issues an EU-Type Examination Certificate. However, Module B does not by itself address every aspect of subsequent production conformity. The applicable procedure depends on the equipment category and type.
What Is ATEX Module B?
Module B is the EU-Type Examination procedure under the ATEX Equipment Directive, 2014/34/EU. It evaluates whether the design of equipment, a protective system, or another product within the Directive's scope meets the requirements applicable to that product.
The manufacturer submits an application and technical documentation to a single Notified Body of its choice. Under Annex III, the assessment includes examination of a specimen representative of the production envisaged.
The key distinction is:
Module B assesses the product type. It is not a production-control procedure for every unit subsequently manufactured.
What Does EU-Type Examination Mean?
EU-Type Examination is the independent conformity assessment of a product type by a Notified Body. Under Annex III, the assessment includes the technical documentation and a representative specimen.
Depending on the product, the Notified Body may:
- Review the manufacturer's technical documentation.
- Assess the product design against applicable essential health and safety requirements.
- Examine a specimen representative of the intended production.
- Perform or arrange the examinations and tests necessary to assess conformity.
- Evaluate relevant risk assessments and technical evidence.
- Issue an EU-Type Examination Certificate if the type meets the applicable requirements.
The specific examinations and tests depend on the equipment and the requirements being assessed.
Who Performs Module B?
Module B is performed by an ATEX Notified Body designated for the relevant Directive and conformity assessment activities.
The manufacturer selects the Notified Body and submits the application. The Notified Body performs the independent assessment, while the manufacturer remains responsible for providing accurate information and meeting its obligations under the Directive.
For engineering or procurement review, check the body in the European Commission's official NANDO database. Confirm that its notification covers Directive 2014/34/EU and the relevant conformity assessment activities.
European Commission – ATEX and Notified Bodies
What Documentation Is Required for Module B?
Annex III requires technical documentation sufficient to assess the product's conformity with the applicable requirements. It must include an adequate analysis and assessment of relevant risks.
Depending on the equipment, the submission may include:
- Product description and model identification
- Engineering and manufacturing drawings
- Electrical schematics and mechanical construction details
- Explosion protection concept
- Risk assessment
- Design calculations and engineering analysis
- Applicable harmonised standards and other technical specifications
- Relevant examination and test reports
- Critical component information, where applicable
- Proposed equipment marking
- Instructions and information relevant to safe use
The exact contents depend on the product and the requirements applicable to the assessment. Not every item above is required for every product.
Does Module B Require a Product Sample?
Yes. Annex III specifies examination of a specimen representative of the production envisaged.
The Notified Body assesses the specimen together with the technical documentation. The sample and associated evidence help establish whether the product type meets the applicable requirements.
This is an important distinction between ATEX Module B and a process based solely on reviewing documents without examining a representative specimen.
What Does the Notified Body Evaluate?
The scope depends on the equipment design, intended use, protection concept, and applicable essential health and safety requirements.
Depending on the product, the assessment may address:
- Product construction and materials
- Explosion protection concept
- Electrical and mechanical design
- Temperature characteristics and ignition hazards
- Mechanical strength where relevant
- Flameproof construction where applicable
- Intrinsic safety parameters where applicable
- Dust protection features where applicable
- Equipment marking and operating limitations
- Special conditions for safe use, where applicable
The Notified Body determines which examinations and tests are needed for the particular product. A generic test list should not be interpreted as a mandatory set of tests for all ATEX equipment.
Which Standards Are Used?
The technical documentation identifies the harmonised standards applied and the relevant parts used. Where harmonised standards are not applied, the manufacturer must describe the solutions adopted to meet the essential health and safety requirements and identify other relevant technical specifications.
For explosion-protected electrical equipment, standards from the IEC 60079 series may be relevant, depending on the protection concept.
| Standard | Typical subject |
|---|---|
| IEC 60079-0 | General requirements |
| IEC 60079-1 | Flameproof enclosure protection, Ex d |
| IEC 60079-7 | Increased safety protection, Ex e |
| IEC 60079-11 | Intrinsic safety protection, Ex i |
| IEC 60079-18 | Encapsulation protection, Ex m |
| IEC 60079-31 | Protection by enclosure for combustible dust, Ex t |
This list is illustrative. The applicable standards depend on the product, protection technique, and conformity assessment requirements. The manufacturer must use the relevant editions and technical basis for the assessment.
What Happens After Module B?
If the Notified Body determines that the product type meets the applicable requirements, it issues an EU-Type Examination Certificate.
The certificate identifies the approved type and contains relevant information such as the manufacturer, product identification, examination conclusions, and any applicable conditions or limitations. It may also include annexes or associated documents that define the approved type.
The certificate does not automatically cover every product made under a similar model name. The manufactured product must conform to the approved type and meet the requirements of the applicable conformity assessment procedure.
Which ATEX Conformity Assessment Procedures Can Be Used With Module B?
Module B is combined with different production conformity assessment procedures depending on the equipment group, category, and type. Article 13 of Directive 2014/34/EU sets out the applicable routes.
| Equipment category or situation | Relevant conformity assessment route |
|---|---|
| Equipment Groups I and II, Categories M1 and 1 | Module B with Module D or Module F |
| Groups I and II, Categories M2 and 2: electrical equipment and internal combustion engines | Module B with Module C1 or Module E |
| Groups I and II, Categories M2 and 2: other equipment covered by the relevant provision | Module A, with the required technical documentation communicated to a Notified Body under the Directive |
| Group II, Category 3 | Module A: Internal Production Control |
Module G, unit verification, is also an available conformity assessment route under Article 13. The precise procedure must be determined from the applicable provisions of the Directive.
Important: Module C2 is not one of the conformity assessment modules specified in Directive 2014/34/EU. Do not use a Module B–C2 pairing when describing the ATEX Directive's conformity assessment routes.
Does Module B Authorise the Manufacturer to Sell the Product?
Not by itself. The EU-Type Examination Certificate establishes that the examined type meets the requirements assessed under Module B. It does not replace any additional conformity assessment, declaration, marking, or documentation obligations that apply to the product.
Before placing a product on the market, the manufacturer must complete the applicable conformity assessment route and meet the relevant requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU, including the EU Declaration of Conformity and required markings where applicable.
In practical terms:
Module B certificate ≠ complete ATEX market-placement compliance.
Module B vs Module D
Module B and Module D have different roles within the conformity assessment process.
| Module B | Module D |
|---|---|
| EU-Type Examination | Conformity to type based on quality assurance of the production process |
| Evaluates the product type and technical design | Addresses production conformity through an approved quality system |
| Results in an EU-Type Examination Certificate when requirements are met | Involves assessment and surveillance of the relevant production quality system |
Module B assesses the type. Module D addresses the manufacturer's production process. They are complementary procedures when used together under the applicable route.
Module B vs Module F
Module F is another production conformity procedure that can be used with Module B where required or selected under the Directive.
| Module B | Module F |
|---|---|
| Examines the product type | Verifies manufactured products against the approved type and applicable requirements |
| Focuses on technical design and type assessment | Focuses on product verification |
| Results in an EU-Type Examination Certificate when successful | Requires the applicable examinations and tests under the product verification procedure |
The manufacturer must follow the conformity assessment route applicable to the equipment. Module F should not be assumed to apply to every product with a Module B certificate.
Which ATEX Equipment Uses Module B?
Module B is required for several conformity assessment routes under Article 13, including routes for Equipment Groups I and II, Categories M1 and 1, and certain Category M2 and Category 2 products.
However, the applicable procedure is not determined by category alone in every case. For example, the Directive distinguishes electrical equipment and internal combustion engines from other equipment in the relevant Category M2 and Category 2 provisions.
Category 3 equipment generally follows Module A under the Directive. Module B should therefore not be assumed to be mandatory for every ATEX product.
What Should Engineers Check on an EU-Type Examination Certificate?
When reviewing ATEX vendor documentation, compare the certificate with the exact equipment being offered.
- Verify the Notified Body and its ATEX notification scope.
- Check the certificate number and issuing body.
- Confirm the manufacturer's name and address.
- Confirm the product or type designation.
- Compare the certified product description with the offered model and configuration.
- Check the Ex marking and applicable standards.
- Review any limitations, annexes, and special conditions for safe use.
- Confirm that the applicable production conformity procedure has been addressed.
- Check that the EU Declaration of Conformity and other supplied documents are consistent with the product.
This review is particularly important when a vendor submits an EU-Type Examination Certificate and claims that it alone proves full ATEX compliance.
Common Misunderstandings About ATEX Module B
Module B Is the Complete ATEX Conformity Assessment Process
No. Module B is the EU-Type Examination stage. Other applicable production conformity procedures and manufacturer obligations must also be completed where required.
Module B Certifies Every Manufactured Unit
No. Module B assesses the product type. Production must remain consistent with that approved type and comply with the applicable production conformity procedure.
Module B Is Performed by the Manufacturer
No. The EU-Type Examination is performed by a Notified Body designated for the relevant assessment activities.
Module B Is Only a Document Review
No. Annex III requires examination of a specimen representative of the production envisaged, together with the technical documentation.
Module B Automatically Means the Product Can Be Sold
No. The manufacturer must meet the applicable conformity assessment, declaration, marking, and other legal requirements before placing the product on the market.
Module C2 Is an ATEX Production Conformity Module
No. Module C2 is not listed among the conformity assessment modules in Directive 2014/34/EU. ATEX routes must be selected from the procedures specified in Article 13 and the relevant Annexes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ATEX Module B?
ATEX Module B is the EU-Type Examination procedure under Directive 2014/34/EU. A Notified Body examines the technical design and a representative specimen to assess conformity with the applicable requirements.
Who performs Module B?
An ATEX Notified Body designated for the relevant Directive and conformity assessment activities performs the examination.
What document is issued after Module B?
If the type meets the applicable requirements, the Notified Body issues an EU-Type Examination Certificate.
Does Module B cover all production units?
No. It establishes conformity of the examined type. The manufacturer must also follow the applicable production conformity procedure.
Does Module B require a product sample?
Yes. Annex III requires examination of a specimen representative of the production envisaged.
Does Module B include factory quality-system assessment?
Module B focuses on the product type. Production quality assurance is addressed through other conformity assessment procedures where applicable, such as Module D.
Can a Category 3 product require Module B?
Category 3 equipment generally follows Module A under Directive 2014/34/EU. The applicable route should be verified against Article 13 and the relevant Annexes.
Is an EU-Type Examination Certificate the same as an EU Declaration of Conformity?
No. The certificate is issued by the Notified Body following Module B. The EU Declaration of Conformity is the manufacturer's formal declaration of conformity.
Conclusion
ATEX Module B is the EU-Type Examination stage of conformity assessment. A Notified Body examines the product's technical design and a representative specimen to determine whether the type meets the applicable requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU.
The resulting EU-Type Examination Certificate documents the approved type. It does not, by itself, establish that every subsequent production unit conforms or that all requirements for placing the product on the market have been fulfilled.
For engineers and procurement teams, the essential distinction is that Module B assesses the type, while the applicable conformity assessment procedure addresses the remaining obligations, including production conformity where required.
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