ATEX vs. IECEx – Key Differences and Application Trends in Asia

nganhoang2
Jun 23
3 min read

Introduction

In industries with a high risk of explosion such as oil and gas, chemicals, LNG, paint manufacturing, food processing, or dust handling, selecting the correct explosion-protected electrical equipment and understanding the applicable standards is a critical factor in ensuring the safety of personnel, equipment, and the entire facility.

Most explosion-protected equipment is certified by a third-party organization before being placed on the market to ensure strict compliance with explosion safety characteristics during the manufacturing process.

The two most widely used certification systems in Asia today are ATEX and IECEx. Although both aim to provide independent assessment related to explosion-protected equipment to safeguard people and assets in hazardous environments, there are important differences between them that businesses should understand before making a decision.

1. What are ATEX and IECEx?

ATEX is a mandatory regulatory framework for explosion safety requirements within the European Union, based on two directives:

ATEX 2014/34/EU – requirements for equipment and protective systems
ATEX 99/92/EC – requirements for workplaces and personnel

The ATEX certification system provides certification only for explosion-protected equipment.

IECEx is an international certification system operated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It ensures that electrical equipment, service procedures, and personnel competence related to explosive atmospheres comply with global standards.

The IECEx certification system includes:

IECEx Equipment Certificate
Service Facility Certification
IECEx CoPC (Certificate of Personnel Competence)
Marking License for the use of IECEx labeling

2. Key Differences Between ATEX and IECEx

Certification System	ATEX	IECEx
Origin	Europe (EU Directives)	International (IEC)
Application Basis	Mandatory within the European Union	Voluntary, applied globally
Applicable Technical Standards	Mainly EN/IEC 60079 series	IEC 60079 series
Regulations	Compliant with ATEX Directives	Compliant with IECEx Rules and Operational Documents
Equipment Certification	ATEX Certificate (CE Marking under ATEX)	IECEx Certificate (issued under IECEx system)
Personnel Certification	Not available	IECEx CoPC (Certificate of Personnel Competence)
Service Facility Certification	Not available	IECEx Service Facilities Certification
Certificate Database Access	Limited and dispersed	Fully accessible at www.iecex.com
Transparency	Varies by EU member state	Very high (centralized system, searchable database)
Transparency Level	More limited	High (online access, clear issuing bodies)
Usage in Vietnam	Common in oil & gas and FDI manufacturing plants	Widely used in the oil & gas sector

3. Application Trends in Asia and Vietnam

Why is IECEx increasingly prioritized in Asia?

High transparency and international integration: The IECEx system allows global online access to equipment and personnel competence certificates, making it highly convenient for multinational corporations.
Supports personnel competence assessment (CoPC): It is the only system that provides internationally recognized certification for individuals working with Ex equipment.
Compatible with many Asian national standards: In countries like Singapore and Malaysia, IECEx is officially recognized by regulatory authorities in the energy and electrical engineering sectors. In Vietnam, the explosion protection standard TCVN 10888 series is fully aligned with IEC 60079, making IECEx certification a strong foundation to comply with local requirements.
Cost-efficient in the long term: Using IECEx-certified equipment from the beginning helps reduce future costs related to inspection, troubleshooting, or replacement.

Real-life examples:

In Malaysia, LNG projects have begun to require IECEx CoPC certification for technical contractors working in hazardous areas — a clear sign of the growing "internationalization" of technical compliance across the region.
In Singapore, South Korea, Australia, and Japan, IECEx is fully recognized and widely adopted for both equipment and personnel certification (CoPC).
In India, GAIL – the state-owned gas corporation – shifted from ATEX to IECEx after a major gas leak incident. The decision was based on IECEx’s stronger transparency, independent verification, and traceability.
In Vietnam, ATEX certification still appears on many imported devices, but a growing number of FDI projects (especially from Japan, Korea, and Europe), along with oil & gas facilities, are now requiring IECEx CoPC personnel as a mandatory condition in bidding and technical supervision.

4. Choosing the Right Approach for Vietnamese Enterprises

With the global integration of supply chains, Vietnamese companies not only need equipment certified under ATEX or IECEx but, more importantly, must ensure that:

Personnel are well-trained and understand Ex equipment, capable of proper selection, supervision, and maintenance in line with international standards.
Procurement and installation processes are transparent, with clear documentation of standards, equipment origin, and installer competence.
Routine inspection and maintenance are performed correctly to prevent explosion-related failures and meet both safety and international audit requirements.

5. Conclusion

ATEX and IECEx are not competitors, but complementary systems. However, in the context of globalization and increasing demand for transparency, IECEx is emerging as the leading standard across Asia.

At TESV, we are proud to be the pioneer in helping Vietnamese enterprises: