What Is IEC 60079? A Complete Guide to the Explosion Protection Standards

When engineers discuss explosion protection, one set of standards is referenced more than any other: IEC 60079. These international standards provide the technical foundation for the design, installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Whether you are selecting an explosion-protected motor, designing a hazardous area installation, performing inspections, or pursuing IECEx certification, you will eventually encounter the IEC 60079 series. In fact, many concepts commonly used in the industry—including Zone Classification, Equipment Protection Levels (EPL), temperature classes, and protection concepts such as Ex d, Ex e, and Ex i—originate directly from these standards.

The IEC 60079 series is not a single document. Instead, it consists of numerous individual standards, each covering a specific aspect of explosion protection. Some standards focus on equipment design, while others address installation practices, inspection requirements, repair procedures, or hazardous area classification methods.

Because of its global acceptance, IEC 60079 has become the technical backbone of many certification schemes and national regulations, including the IECEx System and, in many cases, the European ATEX framework.

This article explains what IEC 60079 is, why it matters, how the series is structured, and which standards every engineer working in hazardous areas should understand.

Quick Answer

What Is IEC 60079?

IEC 60079 is a comprehensive collection of international standards developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for electrical equipment and systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The standards establish uniform technical requirements that help ensure equipment can be safely used in locations where flammable gases, vapors, mists, or combustible dusts may be present.

Rather than addressing a single topic, the IEC 60079 series covers the entire lifecycle of explosion protection, including:

• Hazardous area classification.
• Design of explosion-protected equipment.
• Protection concepts and construction requirements.
• Equipment selection and installation.
• Inspection and maintenance.
• Repair, overhaul, and reclamation.
• Competency requirements for personnel.

Because of this broad scope, IEC 60079 has become one of the most influential and widely adopted standards series in the global explosion protection industry.

Why Is IEC 60079 Important?

Potentially explosive atmospheres are found in many industries, including oil and gas, petrochemical facilities, pharmaceutical plants, grain handling facilities, mining operations, and hydrogen production facilities.

In these environments, ignition of a flammable atmosphere can lead to catastrophic consequences, including explosions, fires, injuries, and major economic losses.

IEC 60079 provides a globally recognized framework that helps engineers and organizations:

• Reduce explosion risks.
• Select suitable equipment for hazardous areas.
• Implement safe installation practices.
• Maintain equipment integrity throughout its lifecycle.
• Demonstrate compliance with international best practices.
• Facilitate global trade through harmonized technical requirements.

Without internationally recognized standards such as IEC 60079, manufacturers and end users would face significant challenges in ensuring consistent levels of safety across different countries and industries.

Who Develops IEC 60079?

The IEC 60079 standards are published and maintained by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), an international standards organization responsible for developing consensus-based standards for electrical and electronic technologies.

The standards are developed through the participation of experts from numerous countries, including manufacturers, certification bodies, regulators, testing laboratories, and end users.

This international collaboration ensures that the standards reflect practical industry experience while promoting globally harmonized approaches to explosion protection.

How Is the IEC 60079 Series Structured?

The IEC 60079 series consists of numerous individual standards, with each document focusing on a specific aspect of explosion protection. Together, these standards create a complete framework covering the entire lifecycle of equipment and installations used in explosive atmospheres.

Some standards establish general requirements for explosion-protected equipment, while others address specific protection concepts, installation requirements, inspection procedures, or maintenance activities.

The series can generally be divided into five major categories:

• General requirements and fundamental principles.
• Protection concept standards.
• Hazardous area classification standards.
• Installation and inspection standards.
• Repair and maintenance standards.

Major IEC 60079 Standards Explained

Standard	Title	Main Purpose
IEC 60079-0	General Requirements	Fundamental requirements applicable to Ex equipment.
IEC 60079-1	Flameproof Enclosures "d"	Requirements for Ex d equipment.
IEC 60079-2	Pressurized Equipment "p"	Requirements for Ex p protection.
IEC 60079-5	Powder Filling "q"	Requirements for Ex q equipment.
IEC 60079-7	Increased Safety "e"	Requirements for Ex e equipment.
IEC 60079-10-1	Classification of Gas Hazardous Areas	Determination of Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2.
IEC 60079-10-2	Classification of Dust Hazardous Areas	Determination of Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22.
IEC 60079-11	Intrinsic Safety "i"	Requirements for Ex i equipment and systems.
IEC 60079-14	Electrical Installations	Selection and installation of Ex equipment.
IEC 60079-17	Inspection and Maintenance	Inspection and maintenance requirements.
IEC 60079-18	Encapsulation "m"	Requirements for Ex m protection.
IEC 60079-19	Repair and Overhaul	Repair, overhaul, and reclamation of Ex equipment.
IEC 60079-31	Protection by Enclosure "t"	Requirements for dust ignition protection.

Although the complete IEC 60079 series contains many additional standards, the documents listed above represent the standards most frequently encountered by engineers working in hazardous areas.

How IEC 60079 Supports Explosion Protection

The IEC 60079 series provides a systematic approach to managing explosion risks throughout the lifecycle of hazardous area equipment and installations.

The standards work together to answer several important questions:

• How should hazardous areas be classified?
• Which protection concept should be used?
• What type of equipment is suitable for each zone?
• How should equipment be installed?
• How should equipment be inspected and maintained?
• How should damaged equipment be repaired?

By addressing all of these topics, the IEC 60079 series establishes a comprehensive framework that significantly reduces the risk of ignition in explosive atmospheres.

Which Industries Use IEC 60079?

The IEC 60079 standards are used throughout the world in industries where flammable substances may create potentially explosive atmospheres.

Typical industries include:

• Oil and gas production.
• Petrochemical plants.
• Refineries.
• Chemical processing facilities.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Mining operations.
• Food and grain handling facilities.
• Hydrogen production and storage facilities.
• Battery manufacturing facilities.
• Wastewater treatment plants.

The widespread adoption of IEC 60079 has made it one of the most important international standards series for industrial safety and explosion protection.

Relationship Between IEC 60079 and IECEx

The IECEx System is built directly upon the technical requirements contained within the IEC 60079 standards.

When manufacturers obtain an IECEx Certificate of Conformity, the equipment is assessed against the applicable IEC 60079 standards. Similarly, IECEx testing laboratories and certification bodies use these standards as the basis for testing and certification activities.

In simple terms, IEC 60079 provides the technical rules, while IECEx provides the international certification system used to demonstrate compliance with those rules.

Advantages of Using IEC 60079 Standards

The widespread adoption of IEC 60079 is largely due to its ability to provide a consistent and internationally recognized approach to explosion protection.

By establishing common technical requirements, the standards help manufacturers, end users, regulators, and certification bodies work within a unified framework for managing explosion risks.

Key advantages of the IEC 60079 series include:

• Provides internationally harmonized technical requirements.
• Promotes a consistent approach to explosion protection.
• Improves safety in hazardous area installations.
• Supports global trade and product acceptance.
• Facilitates international certification through IECEx.
• Provides guidance throughout the entire equipment lifecycle.
• Reduces the likelihood of ignition incidents.
• Encourages best engineering practices.

Because of these advantages, many countries have adopted IEC 60079 directly or use national standards that are technically equivalent to the IEC documents.

Limitations of IEC 60079

Although IEC 60079 is widely accepted around the world, it is not a legal regulation by itself.

The standards provide technical requirements and best practices, but local laws and regulations ultimately determine whether compliance with IEC 60079 is mandatory within a particular country or industry.

Other limitations include:

• The series consists of numerous individual standards that can be complex for new users.
• Standards are periodically revised and require continuous updates.
• National regulations may impose additional requirements.
• Compliance with the standards alone does not automatically constitute legal compliance.
• Application often requires competent personnel with specialized knowledge.

For these reasons, engineers should treat IEC 60079 as a technical framework that supports, rather than replaces, applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

IEC 60079 vs ATEX

One of the most common misconceptions is that IEC 60079 and ATEX are the same thing.

Although they are closely related, they serve different purposes.

Feature	IEC 60079	ATEX
Type	International technical standards	European legislation
Published By	International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)	European Union
Purpose	Technical requirements for explosion protection	Legal requirements for products placed on the EU market
Global Application	Worldwide	European Union
Certification System	IECEx	ATEX Certification
Legal Status	Standards	Directive and legislation

In simple terms, IEC 60079 explains how explosion protection should be implemented technically, while ATEX establishes the legal requirements for products sold within the European Union.

IEC 60079 vs IECEx

Another common misunderstanding is the relationship between IEC 60079 and IECEx.

Feature	IEC 60079	IECEx
Type	International standards	Certification system
Purpose	Defines technical requirements	Demonstrates compliance with standards
Published By	IEC	IECEx System
Testing Basis	Provides technical requirements	Uses IEC 60079 standards for assessment
Legal Requirement	Depends on local regulations	Depends on market requirements

A useful way to think about the relationship is:

IEC 60079 = The Rules
IECEx = The Certification System That Verifies Compliance With Those Rules

Common Misunderstandings About IEC 60079

IEC 60079 Is a Certification

No. IEC 60079 is a series of technical standards, not a certification scheme. Certification is provided through systems such as IECEx or ATEX.

IEC 60079 Applies Only to Electrical Equipment

Not entirely. While many standards focus on electrical equipment, the series also addresses broader issues such as hazardous area classification, inspections, maintenance, and personnel competency.

IEC 60079 and ATEX Are Identical

No. IEC 60079 provides technical requirements, whereas ATEX establishes legal requirements for products entering the European market.

Compliance With IEC 60079 Automatically Guarantees Legal Compliance

No. Legal requirements depend on national regulations and applicable certification schemes. Compliance with IEC 60079 should always be considered together with local regulatory obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is IEC 60079?

IEC 60079 is a series of international standards published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies the requirements for equipment, installations, inspection, maintenance, and repair in explosive atmospheres.

Is IEC 60079 mandatory?

IEC 60079 itself is not a law or regulation. However, many countries adopt the standards directly or incorporate them into national regulations, making compliance mandatory in certain jurisdictions or industries.

How many standards are included in the IEC 60079 series?

The IEC 60079 series consists of numerous individual standards covering different aspects of explosion protection, including equipment design, hazardous area classification, installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair.

What is the difference between IEC 60079 and IECEx?

IEC 60079 provides the technical requirements for explosion protection, while IECEx is an international certification system that demonstrates compliance with those requirements.

What is the difference between IEC 60079 and ATEX?

IEC 60079 is a series of international technical standards, whereas ATEX is European legislation governing equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres within the European Union.

Which industries commonly use IEC 60079?

IEC 60079 is widely used in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemical processing, mining, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food processing, hydrogen production, and other facilities where explosive atmospheres may occur.

Conclusion

IEC 60079 is the foundation of modern explosion protection. The series provides internationally recognized technical requirements that govern every stage of the equipment lifecycle, from hazardous area classification and equipment design to installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair.

Because of its broad scope and global acceptance, IEC 60079 has become the technical backbone of the IECEx System and has significantly influenced national regulations and certification schemes throughout the world.

For engineers, inspectors, manufacturers, and end users working in hazardous areas, understanding the IEC 60079 series is essential. It provides the common technical language that enables safer equipment design, more reliable installations, and better protection against explosion hazards.

Technical Review

References

• IEC 60079 Series – Explosive Atmospheres.
• IECEx System – International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres.
• IEC 60079-0 – Explosive Atmospheres – Equipment – General Requirements.
• IEC 60079-14 – Explosive Atmospheres – Electrical Installations Design, Selection and Erection.
• IEC 60079-17 – Explosive Atmospheres – Electrical Installations Inspection and Maintenance.
• IEC 60079-19 – Explosive Atmospheres – Equipment Repair, Overhaul and Reclamation.
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).