CE Marking vs ATEX Marking
Close-up of a hazardous area equipment nameplate showing CE and ATEX markings used to demonstrate compliance with European regulatory requirements.CE marking and the specific marking of explosion protection are commonly found together on equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Although they appear on the same nameplate, they serve different purposes.
The CE marking indicates that the manufacturer has completed the applicable conformity assessment and declares conformity with the relevant European Union harmonisation legislation. The specific explosion-protection marking identifies the equipment's ATEX group and category and, where applicable, the type of explosive atmosphere and other required information.
Understanding the difference is important when reviewing hazardous area equipment because the CE mark alone does not tell an engineer whether a product is suitable for a particular hazardous area.
What Is CE Marking?
CE marking is the conformity marking used under applicable EU harmonisation legislation.
Under ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, once the applicable conformity assessment procedure has demonstrated compliance, the manufacturer draws up the EU Declaration of Conformity and affixes the CE marking to the product.
CE marking is therefore not specific to hazardous area equipment. It may apply to products covered by many different pieces of EU legislation.
For an ATEX product, the CE marking demonstrates conformity with the applicable EU requirements, including ATEX where that Directive applies.
What Is ATEX Marking?
What is commonly called ATEX marking is the specific marking of explosion protection required by Directive 2014/34/EU.
Annex II of the Directive requires ATEX equipment and protective systems to be marked with the specific marking of explosion protection followed by the equipment group and category. For Group II equipment, the marking also identifies whether the equipment is intended for explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours or mists (G) and/or dust (D).
A typical marking may look like:
II 2G Ex db IIC T4 Gb
This is not a replacement for the CE mark. It is part of the required product marking used to communicate the explosion-protection characteristics of the equipment.
CE Marking vs ATEX Marking
| Item | CE Marking | ATEX / Explosion-Protection Marking |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Indicates conformity with applicable EU harmonisation legislation | Identifies the explosion-protection characteristics required under ATEX |
| Specific to hazardous areas? | No | Yes |
| Identifies equipment group/category? | No | Yes |
| Identifies G or D atmosphere? | No | Yes, where applicable |
| Identifies Ex protection concept? | No | Yes, where applicable |
| Identifies gas/dust group? | No | May form part of the detailed Ex marking |
| Identifies temperature limitation? | No | May form part of the detailed Ex marking |
| Used for hazardous-area equipment selection? | Not by itself | Yes, together with the certificate and application requirements |
The important distinction is that CE marking communicates regulatory conformity, while the explosion-protection marking provides the product information needed to identify its ATEX classification and protection characteristics.
What Does the ATEX Marking Tell You?
Consider the example:
II 2G Ex db IIC T4 Gb
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| II | Equipment Group II, for locations other than mines covered by Group I |
| 2G | Equipment Category 2 for explosive gas, vapour or mist atmospheres |
| Ex | Specific marking identifying explosion-protected equipment |
| db | Flameproof enclosure protection concept |
| IIC | Gas group |
| T4 | Temperature class |
| Gb | Equipment Protection Level for gas atmospheres |
These elements provide technical information that is relevant when determining whether the equipment is appropriate for a particular hazardous area application.
However, the marking should not be reviewed in isolation. The hazardous area classification, certificate, equipment documentation, ambient conditions, installation requirements, and any special conditions for safe use also need to be considered.
How CE and ATEX Markings Appear Together
A hazardous area equipment nameplate may contain markings similar to:
CE 0081
II 2G Ex db IIC T4 Gb
These two lines provide different information.
- CE identifies the EU conformity marking.
- 0081 is the identification number of the relevant Notified Body where the Directive requires its number to accompany the CE marking.
- II 2G identifies the ATEX equipment group, category, and gas atmosphere designation.
- Ex db IIC T4 Gb provides the applicable explosion-protection characteristics.
Under Article 16 of Directive 2014/34/EU, the CE marking is followed by the Notified Body identification number where that body is involved in the production-control phase. The CE marking and, where applicable, the Notified Body number are followed by the specific marking of explosion protection, equipment group and category, and other required markings.
Does CE Marking Mean the Equipment Is ATEX Certified?
Not necessarily.
CE marking is used for many categories of products and does not by itself indicate that equipment is suitable for explosive atmospheres.
For equipment covered by ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, however, CE marking forms part of the ATEX conformity framework after the applicable conformity assessment requirements have been satisfied.
Therefore, an ordinary CE mark on a product should never be interpreted as evidence of hazardous-area suitability.
Does ATEX Marking Replace CE Marking?
No.
ATEX equipment placed on the EU market under Directive 2014/34/EU is subject to the CE marking requirements of the Directive, in addition to the specific explosion-protection marking and other required product information.
The two markings therefore work together rather than replacing one another.
What Does CE 0081 Mean?
A marking such as:
CE 0081
contains two separate elements.
CE is the conformity marking.
0081 is the identification number of a Notified Body.
The presence of the Notified Body number does not mean that the Notified Body has certified every aspect of the product. Its significance depends on the conformity assessment procedure and the role of that body in the production-control phase.
For procurement purposes, the number should therefore be checked against the applicable certificate and the Notified Body's notification scope.
Does ATEX Marking Directly Identify the Hazardous Area Zone?
No.
The ATEX marking does not normally print a statement such as "Zone 1" on the nameplate.
Instead, the equipment group, category, G/D designation, protection concept, and other Ex characteristics are used together with the hazardous area classification to determine suitability.
For example, 2G indicates a Group II Category 2 product intended for explosive gas, vapour or mist atmospheres. It should not be interpreted as meaning that "2G = Zone 1" in every circumstance.
Zone classification and equipment classification are related but are different classification systems.
CE Marking, ATEX Marking, and the Certificate
For engineering and procurement review, these three elements should be treated separately:
| Document / Marking | Main Function |
|---|---|
| CE marking | EU conformity marking applied by the manufacturer after the applicable conformity requirements have been satisfied |
| ATEX / Ex marking | Identifies the explosion-protection classification and relevant equipment characteristics |
| ATEX certificate | Provides the detailed conformity assessment evidence and technical scope associated with the certified equipment |
A nameplate therefore should not be considered a substitute for the certification documentation.
Practical Procurement Check
When reviewing an ATEX product, do not stop after seeing a CE mark on the nameplate.
- Confirm that the product is actually intended for the hazardous area application.
- Check the complete explosion-protection marking.
- Verify the equipment group and category.
- Check the G/D designation where applicable.
- Review the Ex protection concept and other technical marking.
- Compare the nameplate with the ATEX certificate.
- Check the certificate scope and exact product designation.
- Review any special conditions for safe use.
- Check the EU Declaration of Conformity.
- Confirm that the equipment characteristics match the hazardous area classification and installation requirements.
This approach provides a much stronger verification process than simply checking whether the product carries a CE mark.
Common Misunderstandings
CE Marking Means the Product Is Explosion-Protected
No. CE marking is used across many types of products. The CE mark alone does not establish hazardous-area suitability.
ATEX Marking Is a Separate Certification Logo
Not exactly. The ATEX Directive requires specific explosion-protection marking as part of the product marking. It is not simply another generic conformity logo equivalent to CE.
CE 0081 Means the Product Is Certified by 0081 for Everything
No. The Notified Body number identifies the body involved under the applicable conformity assessment requirements. Its role and scope must be considered together with the certification documentation.
2G Means Zone 1
Not as a direct identity. Equipment category and hazardous-area zone are separate classification systems that must be evaluated together.
The Nameplate Is Enough to Approve the Equipment
No. The nameplate is only one part of the verification process. Certificates, declarations, instructions, hazardous area classification, and installation conditions may also need to be reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CE marking and ATEX marking?
CE marking indicates conformity with applicable EU harmonisation legislation. The specific explosion-protection marking identifies the equipment group, category, and other applicable ATEX characteristics.
Does all CE-marked equipment have ATEX approval?
No. CE marking is used for many products that are not intended for potentially explosive atmospheres.
Does ATEX equipment require CE marking?
Equipment covered by Directive 2014/34/EU is subject to the CE marking requirements of the Directive after the applicable conformity assessment procedure has been completed.
What does CE 0081 mean?
CE is the EU conformity marking, while 0081 is the identification number of the relevant Notified Body where its number is required to accompany the CE marking.
Does ATEX marking show the hazardous area zone?
Not directly. The marking provides equipment classification and explosion-protection information that must be evaluated against the hazardous area classification.
Can a product have CE marking but no ATEX marking?
Yes. Products that are not covered by ATEX requirements can carry CE marking without carrying the specific explosion-protection marking.
Conclusion
CE marking and ATEX explosion-protection marking have different functions but commonly appear together on equipment intended for potentially explosive atmospheres.
CE marking indicates conformity with applicable EU harmonisation legislation. The specific explosion-protection marking identifies the equipment group, category, G/D designation, and other applicable characteristics required under ATEX.
For hazardous area equipment selection, the CE mark should therefore never be used by itself as evidence of suitability. Engineers and procurement teams should review the complete Ex marking together with the ATEX certificate, EU Declaration of Conformity, product documentation, and actual hazardous area requirements.
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