FYI Richard Woods ---------- From: Ludlam, Nicholas [SMTP:[email protected]] <mailto:[SMTP:[email protected]]> Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2000 7:43 AM To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Subject: IECEx Scheme
Please find attached a letter from the U.S. National Committee of the IEC. The USNC is seeking comments on the Proposal for U.S. Participation in the IEC Scheme for Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx Scheme). If you have any comments please address them directly to the USNC. Regards Nick Ludlam <<ansi -ex.doc>> Mr. John P. Collins, Jr. Secretary, USNC/IECEE NEMA 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1847 Rosslyn, VA 22209 Phone: (703) 841-3200 Fax: (703) 841-3344 E-Mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> U.S. National Committee of the IEC Proposal for U.S. Participation in the IEC Scheme for Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx Scheme) The U.S. National Committee of the IECEE submits for public comment a proposal for U.S. participation in the IECEx Scheme, which is one of several conformity assessment programs under the scope of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The primary objective of the IECEx Scheme is to facilitate international trade of Ex equipment by eliminating requirements for duplication of testing and certification, while preserving an appropriate level of safety. Currently there are 19 participating countries and 7 additional countries for which assessments for joining the program are active. Among the participating nations are Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia and China. The IECEx Scheme is a voluntary scheme. The intent of the scheme is to provide an internationally accepted means of providing product compliance with an IEC Standard. IEC Standards covering electrical equipment for use in explosive atmospheres are prepared by IEC TC 31. A certificate of conformity may be obtained from any certification body accepted by IECEx. The certificate will declare the equipment design conforms to the relevant IEC Standards, and that the product is manufactured under a quality management plan assessed by an accepted certification body. Manufacturers holding certificates of conformity may affix the IECEx "Mark of Conformity" to compliant equipment. The benefits of joining the IECEx Scheme include: reduced testing and certification costs to manufacturers, reduced time to market, product information in an international database, ability to influence the rules and procedures of the scheme and access to technical references for assessments currently in preparation. An application for a country to participate in the IECEx Scheme is made on a standard-by-standard basis. Certification Bodies and Testing Laboratories wishing to be accepted into the scheme must reside within the participating country. Certification Bodies and Testing Laboratories are accepted after satisfactory assessment of their competence by an assessment team. There are two categories of participation possible within the scheme: full participation--in situations where the corresponding national standard is identical to the IEC Standard and where the IECEx Certificate of Conformity is given equal treatment as the country's national certification. The second category of participation is known as transitional participation. Participation at this level provides for mutual acceptance of assessment and test reports between participating countries for the purpose of issuing national certification similar to the procedures of the IECEE CB Scheme. There is a ten-year transition period associated with this category of membership during which members can select their own transition period and specific standards within the Scheme. If after the selected transition period has expired, national differences still exist, a member country may withdraw from the scheme or apply for an additional extension. If the U.S. decides to participate, it will have to participate within the transitional category, since current U.S. National Standards in this product sector are not identical to those of the IEC. Initial reaction to this concept, based on review by industry members of the Enclosures Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, indicates that U.S. participation in the IECEx Scheme would have strong support among manufacturers and testing and certification organizations. Public comment is invited regarding the feasibility of having the U.S. participate in the IECEx Scheme. U.S. explosive atmosphere equipment manufacturers and testing and certification organizations are strongly encouraged to provide comments on the acceptability of U.S. participation in the IECEx Scheme. Further background information may be found on the IECEx Scheme website at www.iecex.com <http://www.iecex.com> . Comments regarding potential U.S. participation in this Scheme should be forwarded to: Mr. John P. Collins, Jr. of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association at the address indicated above. Comments on this proposal should be received by March 31, 2000.
ansi -ex.doc
Description: MS-Word document
