ATEX Module F Explained

ATEX Module F is the conformity assessment procedure known as Conformity to Type Based on Product Verification under Directive 2014/34/EU.

Module F is a production-stage conformity assessment procedure in which an ATEX Notified Body directly examines and tests every individual product to verify that it conforms to the type described in the applicable EU-Type Examination Certificate.

Unlike Module D and Module E, which rely on approved quality systems, Module F uses direct product verification by the Notified Body. The manufacturer remains responsible for ensuring and declaring that the products comply with the approved type and the applicable requirements of the ATEX Directive. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

What Is ATEX Module F?

Module F is defined in Annex V of Directive 2014/34/EU.

The formal title is:

Conformity to Type Based on Product Verification

Under Module F, the manufacturer takes the necessary measures to ensure that the manufacturing process produces products conforming to the approved type described in the EU-Type Examination Certificate.

A Notified Body then performs the required examinations and tests to verify conformity of the products with the approved type and the applicable requirements of the Directive. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

Where Does Module F Fit in the ATEX Conformity Assessment Process?

Module F is a conformity-to-type procedure. Where it is used with Module B, the relationship is:

Stage	Module	Function
Type examination	Module B	Examines the technical design and representative type
Product verification	Module F	Individually verifies manufactured products against the approved type

Module B establishes the approved type. Module F then verifies that the manufactured products conform to that type.

Importantly, Module F is not a universally applicable ATEX module. Article 13 specifies the conformity-assessment combinations according to equipment group and category. For example, for Equipment Groups I and II, Categories M1 and 1, Module B is followed by either Module D or Module F. The same Article also provides for Module F in the conformity assessment of protective systems. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.esa.int/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

What Does the Manufacturer Have to Do?

Module F does not transfer production responsibility to the Notified Body.

The manufacturer must take all necessary measures so that the manufacturing process and its monitoring ensure conformity of manufactured products with:

• The approved type described in the EU-Type Examination Certificate.
• The applicable requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU.

The manufacturer therefore remains responsible for controlling production and for ensuring that the products submitted for verification are manufactured according to the approved type.

Who Performs Module F?

Product verification under Module F is performed by a Notified Body chosen by the manufacturer.

The Notified Body carries out the appropriate examinations and tests required to check conformity with:

• The approved type described in the EU-Type Examination Certificate.
• The applicable requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU.
• The relevant harmonised standards and, where appropriate, equivalent technical specifications.

Where no relevant harmonised standard exists, the Notified Body determines the appropriate tests to be carried out. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

Does Module F Test Every Product?

Yes.

This is the most important distinction between Module F and several other ATEX conformity assessment procedures.

Annex V, Section 4.1 of Directive 2014/34/EU states that all products shall be individually examined and appropriate tests shall be carried out to verify conformity with the approved type and the applicable requirements of the Directive. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

Therefore, the common description of Module F as allowing statistical batch sampling should not be used for the current ATEX Directive.

What Does the Notified Body Verify?

The exact examinations and tests depend on the product and the applicable technical requirements.

Verification can include examination and testing of characteristics relevant to conformity, such as:

• Product construction.
• Critical dimensions.
• Materials and components.
• Explosion-protection features.
• Electrical characteristics where applicable.
• Mechanical characteristics where applicable.
• Product markings.
• Safety-related functions.
• Other tests specified by applicable harmonised standards or technical specifications.

The Notified Body compares the manufactured product with the approved type and the applicable requirements rather than simply checking whether a manufacturer's internal quality system exists.

How Does the ATEX Module F Process Work?

1. The applicable product type undergoes the required EU-Type Examination under Module B, where Module B is part of the conformity route.
2. The manufacturer manufactures the products according to the approved type.
3. The products are submitted to the Notified Body for verification.
4. The Notified Body individually examines each product.
5. The Notified Body performs the appropriate tests required by the Directive and applicable technical standards.
6. The Notified Body determines whether the products conform to the approved type.
7. For conforming products, the applicable conformity documentation and marking requirements are completed.

The manufacturer's responsibility remains throughout the process. Module F provides independent verification; it does not make the Notified Body the manufacturer.

What Happens If a Product Fails Verification?

If an individual product does not conform to the approved type or the applicable ATEX requirements, the Notified Body cannot confirm conformity for that product.

The manufacturer must address the nonconformity before the affected product can complete the applicable conformity assessment process.

Depending on the nature of the problem, corrective action may involve:

• Repair or replacement of components.
• Correction of manufacturing defects.
• Additional examination or testing.
• Investigation of the manufacturing cause.
• Engineering review where the product differs from the approved type.
• Resubmission of the affected product for verification.

A product that does not conform to the approved type cannot simply be treated as compliant because another product from the same production run passed verification.

What Happens After Successful Verification?

For products that satisfy the applicable requirements, the Notified Body confirms conformity in accordance with the Module F procedure.

Under Annex V, the Notified Body's identification number may be affixed to the products during manufacture under the conditions specified by the Directive and under the Notified Body's responsibility.

The manufacturer then completes the applicable CE marking, EU Declaration of Conformity, and other marking or documentation requirements before placing the products on the market. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

Module F vs Module D

Module D and Module F both provide production-stage conformity to an approved type, but their mechanisms are fundamentally different.

Module F	Module D
Product Verification	Quality Assurance of the Production Process
Direct verification of products by the Notified Body	Assessment and surveillance of the manufacturer's production quality system
Every product is individually examined and tested	Conformity is controlled through the approved production quality system
No Module D-style production quality-system approval	Requires an approved production quality system
Product-focused verification	Process-focused quality assurance

The distinction is therefore not simply “more testing” versus “more auditing.” Module F uses direct product verification as the conformity mechanism, while Module D uses an approved production quality system. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

Module F vs Module E

Module E and Module F are also different approaches to production conformity.

Module F	Module E
Product Verification	Product Quality Assurance
Notified Body directly examines and tests products	Notified Body assesses and surveils the manufacturer's quality system
Every product is individually examined and tested	Final inspection and testing are controlled through the approved quality system
No product-quality-system approval mechanism	Requires an approved quality system for final product inspection and testing

This makes the distinction straightforward:

Module E = assurance through the manufacturer's approved product-quality system.

Module F = verification of each manufactured product by the Notified Body.

Module F vs Module G

Module F and Module G can appear similar because both involve direct Notified Body verification, but they address different conformity situations.

Module F	Module G
Conformity to Type Based on Product Verification	Conformity Based on Unit Verification
Based on an approved type	Assesses an individual product against the applicable Directive requirements
Associated with an EU-Type Examination Certificate where required	Does not rely on a prior EU-Type Examination Certificate
Every manufactured product is individually verified	The individual product is examined and tested by the Notified Body

Module G is therefore particularly relevant to products that are assessed individually rather than being manufactured against a previously examined type. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

Does Module F Require a Quality Management System?

Not as its conformity mechanism.

Module F requires the manufacturer to control production so that products conform to the approved type, but the specific Module F mechanism is direct examination and testing of the products by the Notified Body.

This differs from:

• Module D — approved production quality system.
• Module E — approved product quality system.
• Module F — direct product verification.

Does Module F Replace Module B?

No.

Module F is a conformity-to-type procedure. Where Module B is part of the applicable conformity assessment route, Module F relies on the type described in the EU-Type Examination Certificate.

In simple terms:

Module B = examination of the type.

Module F = verification that manufactured products conform to that type.

When Is Module F Used Under ATEX?

Module F is not a general-purpose option for every ATEX product.

Article 13 of Directive 2014/34/EU specifies its use for:

• Equipment Groups I and II, Categories M1 and 1, where Module B is followed by either Module D or Module F.
• Protective systems, where the conformity assessment route under Article 13 permits Module F.

For other ATEX equipment categories, different conformity assessment combinations apply. Therefore, the correct module should be determined from the product's equipment group, category, type, and the applicable provisions of Article 13 rather than selected solely by manufacturer preference. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

What Should Engineers and Procurement Teams Check?

When a supplier provides an ATEX product claiming Module F conformity, check the certification package as a whole:

1. Identify the applicable EU-Type Examination Certificate.
2. Confirm that the product model corresponds to the approved type.
3. Identify the Notified Body performing Module F.
4. Confirm the Notified Body's ATEX notification and relevant scope.
5. Check that the product has undergone the required individual verification.
6. Review the applicable examination and test documentation.
7. Compare the product marking with the approved type.
8. Check the EU Declaration of Conformity.
9. Review any special conditions or limitations associated with the certification.
10. Confirm that the applicable ATEX conformity-assessment route matches the equipment group and category.

For procurement, the important point is that an EU-Type Examination Certificate alone does not demonstrate completion of Module F. Module B establishes the type; Module F provides the subsequent product verification where that route is applicable.

Common Misunderstandings About ATEX Module F

Module F Uses Statistical Batch Sampling

Not under the current ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU. Annex V requires all products to be individually examined and appropriate tests to be carried out. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

Module F Replaces Module B

No. Module F is a conformity-to-type procedure. Where Module B is applicable, Module F follows the EU-Type Examination.

Module F Is the Same as Module G

No. Module F verifies manufactured products against an approved type. Module G is conformity based on unit verification and does not use the same type-examination structure.

Module F Means the Manufacturer Has No Production Responsibility

No. The manufacturer must still ensure that the manufacturing process and its monitoring produce products conforming to the approved type.

Module F Is the Same as a Factory Acceptance Test

No. A factory acceptance test is normally a project or procurement activity. Module F is a formal conformity assessment procedure under Directive 2014/34/EU.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ATEX Module F?

ATEX Module F is Conformity to Type Based on Product Verification. It requires a Notified Body to individually examine and test products to verify conformity with the approved type and applicable ATEX requirements.

Does Module F require Module B?

Where Module B is part of the applicable conformity assessment route, Module F follows the EU-Type Examination and verifies manufactured products against the approved type.

Does Module F test every product?

Yes. Under Annex V of Directive 2014/34/EU, all products are individually examined and appropriate tests are performed to verify conformity. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

Who performs Module F?

A Notified Body chosen by the manufacturer performs the required examinations and tests.

How is Module F different from Module D?

Module F uses direct verification of manufactured products. Module D uses an approved quality system covering the production process.

How is Module F different from Module E?

Module F directly verifies products through the Notified Body. Module E uses an approved quality system for final product inspection and testing.

How is Module F different from Module G?

Module F verifies products against an approved type. Module G is conformity based on unit verification of an individual product.

Conclusion

ATEX Module F is the conformity assessment procedure based on Product Verification. Where applicable, it follows the EU-Type Examination and requires the Notified Body to individually examine and test manufactured products against the approved type.

The key distinction within the ATEX production-conformity cluster is:

Module D → production quality assurance.

Module E → product quality assurance.

Module F → individual product verification.

The manufacturer remains responsible for production conformity, while the Notified Body provides the independent product verification required by the Module F procedure. ([eur-lex.europa.eu](https://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/34/oj))

References

• Directive 2014/34/EU – Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres
• European Commission – Equipment for Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX)