The IECEx System is the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres. The U.S. National Committee for the IECEx (USNC/IECEx) is the U.S. Member Body for the IECEx System. Membership of the Ex Management Committee (ExMC) is composed of Member Body Countries.
The USNC/IECEx represents all U.S. stakeholders, and coordinates its activities with the other IEC Conformity Assessment Systems in the U.S. by actively participating in the USNC/IEC Council and the USNC Conformity Assessment Policy Coordination Committee (CAPCC). CAPCC develops and coordinates USNC/IEC positions on IEC Conformity Assessment Board (IEC CAB) issues and other international, regional or national conformity assessment agendas that may impact IEC Conformity Assessment System activities or interests within the U.S.
The principal objectives of the USNC/IECEx are to:
The purpose of the IECEx system is to provide a framework to facilitate international trade in equipment and services related to explosive atmospheres, while maintaining the required level of safety and system integrity. The aim is to:
Membership in the USNC/IECEx is open to all U.S. National interested parties who are directly and materially affected by the committee's activity. Participation is fair and equitable without dominance by any single interest. All U.S. ExCBs are members of the USNC/IECEx.
U.S. National Interested Parties are one of the following entities:
Anyone interested in becoming a Member, including testing and certification bodies, shall make a request in writing to the USNC/IECEx Secretary stating why they believe their organization is directly and materially affected by the committee's activities.
On September 13-17, 2027 the IECEx global community will come together in Milwaukee WI, USA for its Annual Meeting. The objective of these meetings is to continue advancing conformity assessment solutions for global certification to standards relating to equipment for use in explosive atmospheres by reducing technical barriers to trade caused by differing national conformity assessment criteria.
Those interested are encouraged to review the event sponsorship opportunities.
While the IECEx Certificates of Conformity (CoCs), issued by ExCBs, provide evidence of conformity, there can be a need to display such IECEx conformance through the use of an "IECEx Conformity Mark".
The objective of the IECEx Conformity Mark Licensing System is to provide on the product, in addition to the IECEx Certificate number, a distinctive mark as a means of identifying compliance with the relevant IEC Standards and other normative documents and requirements of the IECEx System.
Ex equipment manufacturers with IECEx CoCs can apply to ExCBs listed on ExCB Mark Licensing | IECEx for licensing of the IECEx Mark.
The IECEx Personnel Competence Scheme is an international certification scheme that enables a common approach for the assessment of persons for their ability to apply the relevant Ex Standards used within the IECEx System, in accordance with international Standard ISO/IEC 17024.
The IECEx Personnel Competence Scheme provides the international Ex industries with a qualification system that is transportable across borders.
The following is a list of the IECEx Units of Competence available in the IECEx Personnel Competence Scheme:
Persons who successfully demonstrate their competence under this scheme are issued an Ex Facility Orientation Certificate (EFOC) for Unit Ex 000 or a Certificate of Personnel Competence (CoPC) for Units Ex 001 through Ex 011. A CoPC may cover multiple units of competence for the individual for which it is issued.
Ex personnel can apply to ExCBs in the United States for personnel competency certification. The current U.S. ExCB approved to provide this service is:
IECEx Recognised Training Providers (RTPs) can offer training that covers topics including the selection, design, inspection, installation, maintenance, repair, overhaul and reclamation of explosion protected equipment. This training can support efforts by personnel in pursuing personnel competency certification.
Ex personnel can apply to RTPs in the United States for this training. The current Members of the USNC/IECEx committee that are recognized to provide this service are:
Note: it is not a requirement that an RTP have a legal relationship with an IECEx Personnel Competence Scheme ExCB, however such relationships often exist.
The IECEx Certified Service Facility Scheme is an international certification scheme covering the assessment and on-site audit of organizations that provide the following services to the Ex industry:
While certification of new Ex equipment is covered by the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme, the IECEx Certified Service Facilities Scheme provides a single international scheme for the assessment and certification of Ex related service facilities that have an impact on the ongoing compliance of Ex equipment and Ex installations with Ex safety Standards.
Ex service facilities can apply to ExCBs in the United States for service facility certification. The current U.S. ExCB approved to provide this service is:
Click here to learn more about IECEx Certified Services Facilities Scheme Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.
The IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme is an international certification scheme covering products that meet the requirements of international standards, e.g., IEC international Standards prepared by the IEC Technical Committee 31: Equipment for explosive atmospheres (IEC TC 31).
The Certified Equipment Scheme provides a harmonized approach across its approved Ex Certification Bodies (ExCBs) and Ex Test Laboratories (ExTLs), ensuring that testing methodology using relevant IEC and ISO Standards are applied consistently enhancing the safety and reliability of industrial equipment, components, and assemblies in hazardous environments.
The objective of the IECEx System is to facilitate international trade in equipment and services for use in explosive atmospheres while maintaining the required level of safety, resulting in:
Certificates issued under the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme are issued as "Electronic Certificates" and are live on the IECEx Certificates page, enabling full public access for viewing and printing.
Ex equipment manufacturers can apply to ExCBs in the United States for equipment testing and certification. The current U.S. ExCBs approved to provide this service are:
The IECEx maintains a list of standards determined to be appropriate for use under the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme Standards | IECEx. The IECEx website Contact a certification body (ExCB) | IECEx shows which standards fall within a U.S. ExCB’s scope of recognition.
For convenience in viewing any standard and its corresponding U.S. National Differences noted in the IECEx On-line Bulletin, anyone can register by going to www.shopulstandards.com, then clicking on the standard for view. There will be options to purchase, get update alerts, or generate a digital view. Click on digital view for free access to view the standard.
Ex Equipment manufacturers, Ex Service providers and Ex Personnel can apply to ExCBs in the United States for certification. The current U.S. ExCBs under these schemes are:
Scott Kiddle (ABB, Inc.)
Katy Holdredge (UL Solutions)
Kevin Wolf (Intertek)
Jason Anderson (Thermon Inc.)
Mike Leibowitz (NEMA)
Evans Massey (retired)
Further information is available directly from the USNC/IECEx Secretary:
