PCEC and ATEX Explosion-Proof Certifications: Equivalent and Trusted Safety Standards
In the field of industrial safety, especially within hazardous areas, explosion-proof certification is a critical requirement for electrical equipment. Two commonly referenced certifications are China’s PCEC EX certificate (based on GB 3836 standards) and the European ATEX certificate (based on EN / IEC 60079 standards).
This article aims to clarify whether PCEC and ATEX certifications are technically equivalent, and more importantly, whether they can be used interchangeably in global applications.
🔍 Understanding the Certification Systems
1. PCEC Certification (China)
The PCEC (China National Quality Supervision and Test Center for Explosion Protected Electrical Products) issues explosion-proof certificates based on the GB 3836 series of standards. These standards are either direct adoptions or modifications of the IEC 60079 international standards. Products certified by PCEC are widely accepted in China and in some IEC-compliant regions.
2. ATEX Certification (EU)
ATEX certificates are issued under the EU Directive 2014/34/EU, known as the ATEX Directive. This directive requires compliance with the EN 60079 series, which is fully harmonized with the IEC 60079 standards. The certification must be issued by a Notified Body within the EU and is mandatory for placing equipment on the EU market.
⚙️ Technical Comparison: GB 3836 vs. ATEX / IEC 60079
| Item | GB Standards (China) | IEC / EN Standards (ATEX / IECEx) | Comparison Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard System | GB 3836 Series | IEC 60079 / EN 60079 Series | GB 3836 adopts IEC 60079 as the basis (equivalent or modified adoption) |
| Applicable to Gas Explosive Atmospheres | GB 3836.1-2021 (General requirements) GB 3836.2-2021 (Flameproof “d”) GB 3836.3-2021 (Increased safety “e”) GB 3836.4-2021 (Intrinsic safety “i”) | IEC 60079-0:2017 IEC 60079-1:2014 IEC 60079-7:2017 IEC 60079-11:2011 | Technical content is closely aligned; GB standards are equivalent to IEC in most cases |
| Marking Format | Ex d IIB T6 Gb | Ex d IIB T6 Gb | Same marking system and meaning |
| Quality System Requirements | Type testing + Factory Audit by CNAS-accredited labs | Type testing + QAR (IECEx) or QAN (ATEX) | Both require quality assurance audits |
| Applicable Market | China | European Union (ATEX), global (IECEx) | Certificates are market-specific |
| Certification Bodies | PCEC, NEPSI (China) | ATEX Notified Bodies (e.g., TÜV, DEKRA) | Different issuing authorities |
| Legal Framework | Chinese mandatory standards + CCC (if required) | EU Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX) | Regulatory frameworks differ |
✅ Are They Technically Equivalent?
From a technical standpoint, yes.
The GB 3836 standards that PCEC certifications are based on are largely identical or equivalent to the IEC 60079 series, which are in turn the foundation of ATEX and IECEx certification systems. This means the testing procedures, explosion protection concepts, and marking methods are essentially the same.
🧭 When Is PCEC Acceptable?
- ✔ In China: PCEC is fully recognized and often mandatory for explosion-proof equipment.
- ✔ In non-EU countries: Many regions that follow IEC-based standards (e.g., some Southeast Asian, African, and Middle Eastern countries) may accept PCEC EX certificates as technically valid.
📝 Conclusion
While PCEC EX certificates and ATEX certificates share strong technical equivalence, they are not interchangeable in a legal or regulatory sense. Manufacturers and exporters should carefully consider the target market’s certification requirements. For entry into the EU, ATEX certification is essential. However, PCEC EX certificates remain a highly credible and technically rigorous option for use within China and certain international markets that follow IEC standards.
References
European Commission. (n.d.). Equipment for explosive atmospheres (ATEX). Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/mechanical-engineering/atex_en
International Electrotechnical Commission. (n.d.). IEC 60079 series – Explosive atmospheres. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://www.iec.ch