ATEX Certification
There are areas of application where the self-certification of the safety of electronic equipment is considered insufficient to guarantee safe operation. This is the case when the electronics are to be used in explosive atmospheres (gaseous or dust-laden) where the ATEX 95 equipment directive applies (within the EU). This directive requires a Notified Body to:
Certify the design of the equipment (a process of testing and design evaluation).
Confirm the manufacturer has a quality system with processes that ensure the certified design is faithfully replicated during production.