ATEX Declaration of Conformity for Automatic Valves Pneumatic Products

Purpose and Legal Significance

Under European law, any manufacturer or authorized representative placing equipment on the EU market for use in explosive atmospheres must issue an ATEX Declaration of Conformity. This document serves as formal proof that the product has undergone the appropriate conformity assessment procedures and satisfies the essential requirements laid out in Annex II of the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU. Without this declaration, products cannot legally carry the CE marking with the specific explosion protection marking (the hexagonal Ex symbol), and they cannot be sold or installed in ATEX-classified zones within the European Economic Area.

Scope of Products Covered

The Automatic Valves ATEX Declaration of Conformity covers a range of pneumatic valve products, including solenoid-operated valves, pilot-controlled valves, and NAMUR interface valves designed for direct mounting on actuators in process control applications. These products are engineered for deployment in environments where flammable gases, vapors, mists, or combustible dusts may be present, making ATEX certification an essential requirement for plant safety and regulatory compliance.

Understanding the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU

The ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU (commonly referred to simply as the ATEX Directive) is one of two complementary European directives addressing explosive atmospheres. The equipment directive (2014/34/EU) applies to manufacturers and covers the design, manufacturing, and conformity assessment of products, while the workplace directive (1999/92/EC, also known as ATEX 137) applies to employers and addresses the safety of workers in explosive atmosphere environments.

ATEX derives its name from the French phrase "ATmosphères EXplosibles." The directive classifies equipment into groups and categories based on the intended use environment and the level of protection provided. Group I equipment is designed for underground mines where firedamp or combustible dust may be present, while Group II equipment is intended for use in all other places where explosive atmospheres may occur, including petrochemical plants, refineries, pharmaceutical facilities, food processing plants, and paint application areas.

Equipment Categories and Zone Classifications

ATEX equipment is classified into categories that correspond to the level of protection provided. Category 1 equipment offers a very high level of protection and is suitable for Zone 0 (gas) or Zone 20 (dust) environments where an explosive atmosphere is continuously present. Category 2 equipment provides a high level of protection for Zone 1 (gas) or Zone 21 (dust) locations where explosive atmospheres are likely to occur during normal operations. Category 3 equipment provides a normal level of protection for Zone 2 (gas) or Zone 22 (dust) areas where explosive atmospheres are unlikely but may occur for short periods. Automatic Valves products covered by this declaration are typically classified for use in Category 2 and Category 3 environments, making them suitable for Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21, and Zone 22 classified areas depending on the specific product model and configuration.

Harmonized Standards and Conformity Assessment

To demonstrate compliance with the ATEX Directive, Automatic Valves designs and tests its products in accordance with relevant European harmonized standards, including EN 13463-1 (non-electrical equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres), EN 60079 series standards for electrical apparatus in explosive gas atmospheres, and other applicable technical specifications. The conformity assessment process may involve internal production control, type examination by a notified body, quality assurance of the production process, or product verification, depending on the equipment category and type.

Automatic Valves ATEX-Certified Pneumatic Products

Automatic Valves manufactures a comprehensive range of pneumatic valves and solenoid valves designed for safe operation in hazardous classified locations. The company, headquartered in Ferndale, Michigan, is a brand of ROSS Controls and has been engineering pneumatic solutions for industrial automation since 1945. Their ATEX-certified product line reflects decades of expertise in delivering reliable valve technology for the most demanding operating environments.

The ATEX-certified product range includes explosion-proof solenoid valves, NAMUR interface valves for direct actuator mounting, and associated valve accessories. These products are engineered with robust construction materials, including bar stock aluminum valve bodies, and are designed to prevent ignition sources through proper encapsulation, energy limitation, or other protection methods recognized by the ATEX Directive.

Explosion-Proof NAMUR Valves

Automatic Valves explosion-proof NAMUR Series valves are among the most widely deployed products covered by the ATEX Declaration of Conformity. These valves feature spool-type construction with solenoid pilot control and are designed for direct mounting on quarter-turn and linear actuators according to the NAMUR (VDI/VDE 3845) interface standard. The explosion-proof design ensures that any internal ignition is contained within the valve enclosure and cannot propagate to the surrounding explosive atmosphere. These valves are available in 3/2 normally closed, 5/2, and 5/3 configurations with closed center, open center, and power center options.

Intrinsically Safe NAMUR Valves

The intrinsically safe NAMUR valve range provides an alternative protection method where the electrical energy within the solenoid circuit is limited to levels below the minimum ignition energy of the surrounding gas or dust. Intrinsically safe valves are particularly advantageous in applications where live maintenance may be required, as the limited energy levels mean that circuits can be worked on without creating an ignition hazard. These valves carry both ATEX certification for European markets and corresponding CSA and FM approvals for North American installations.

How to Use the ATEX Declaration of Conformity

The ATEX Declaration of Conformity document available for download on this page serves several important functions for engineers, procurement specialists, safety managers, and regulatory compliance teams. The declaration provides all the information needed to verify that a specific Automatic Valves product is approved for installation in a particular ATEX zone classification.

When specifying pneumatic valve equipment for a hazardous area installation, engineers should reference this declaration alongside the product technical datasheet and any applicable installation instructions. The declaration identifies the specific directive and harmonized standards against which the product has been assessed, the equipment group and category, the temperature class, and any special conditions of use that must be observed.

Facility safety managers conducting equipment audits or preparing documentation for regulatory inspections can use this declaration as evidence that installed Automatic Valves products comply with the ATEX Directive. It is recommended to maintain a copy of the declaration in the facility's equipment documentation files alongside product certificates, installation records, and maintenance logs.

Key Information Contained in the Declaration

The ATEX Declaration of Conformity from Automatic Valves includes the manufacturer's name and address, a description of the equipment covered, the relevant directive and harmonized standard references, the equipment marking (including group, category, and temperature class), the name and identification number of any notified body involved in the conformity assessment, the place and date of issue, and the signature of the authorized representative. All of this information is essential for verifying product compliance and maintaining proper facility documentation.

Why ATEX Certification Matters for Industrial Pneumatic Systems

In industrial environments where flammable substances are handled, stored, or processed, the risk of explosion is an ever-present concern. Pneumatic valves play a critical role in these settings, controlling the flow of air and gases to actuators, cylinders, and other automation equipment. If a pneumatic valve or its solenoid operator were to create a spark, generate excessive surface temperatures, or produce electrostatic charges, the consequences in an explosive atmosphere could be catastrophic.

ATEX certification provides assurance that Automatic Valves products have been designed, tested, and manufactured to prevent such ignition risks. The certification process evaluates potential ignition sources including electrical sparks, hot surfaces, mechanical friction, static electricity, and other energy sources that could trigger an explosion in the presence of flammable gases, vapors, or dusts. By selecting ATEX-certified pneumatic components, plant operators and system integrators demonstrate due diligence in protecting workers, equipment, and the surrounding community from explosion hazards.

Industries that commonly require ATEX-certified pneumatic valves include oil and gas production and refining, chemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food and beverage processing, paint and coatings application, grain handling and storage, woodworking and textile manufacturing, and wastewater treatment facilities where methane or other flammable gases may accumulate.

Download the ATEX Declaration of Conformity

The complete ATEX Declaration of Conformity for Automatic Valves products is available for download in PDF format from this page. This document should be referenced during equipment specification, procurement, installation planning, and facility compliance audits. For questions about specific product coverage or ATEX zone suitability, contact Automatic Valves Technical Service directly.

Automatic Valves, part of the ROSS Controls global family, has been serving industrial customers with high-quality pneumatic solutions since 1945. The company is exclusively focused on fluid power, delivering cost-effective and expertly engineered pneumatic products for the automation, transportation, process, and automotive industries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ATEX Declaration of Conformity?

An ATEX Declaration of Conformity is a legal document issued by a manufacturer certifying that a product meets the essential health and safety requirements of the EU ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU for equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. It is required for any equipment bearing the CE mark with the ATEX explosion protection symbol before it can be sold or installed in hazardous classified zones within the European Economic Area.

Which Automatic Valves products are covered by the ATEX Declaration?

The ATEX Declaration of Conformity covers Automatic Valves pneumatic products designed for hazardous location use, including explosion-proof NAMUR Series solenoid valves and intrinsically safe NAMUR Series valves. These products are engineered for direct mounting on actuators in process control applications where flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dusts may be present.

What ATEX zones are Automatic Valves products approved for?

Automatic Valves ATEX-certified products are typically approved for use in Zone 1 and Zone 2 (gas) and Zone 21 and Zone 22 (dust) classified areas, depending on the specific product model and protection method (explosion-proof or intrinsically safe). Always refer to the specific product marking and the Declaration of Conformity document for the exact zone classification of each product.

How does ATEX certification differ from other hazardous location certifications?

ATEX certification is specific to the European Union and European Economic Area, governed by EU Directive 2014/34/EU. In North America, equivalent hazardous location certifications include CSA (Canadian Standards Association) and FM (Factory Mutual) approvals, which follow different classification systems (Classes, Divisions, and Groups rather than Zones and Categories). Automatic Valves products hold multiple certifications, including ATEX, CSA, and FM approvals, allowing them to be deployed globally in hazardous environments.

Where can I get technical support for ATEX-rated valve applications?

For technical support regarding ATEX-rated pneumatic valve applications, contact Automatic Valves Technical Service directly through the company website at www.automaticvalve.com or by reaching out to their headquarters in Ferndale, Michigan. The engineering team can assist with product selection, zone classification questions, installation guidance, and application-specific requirements for explosive atmosphere environments.