Legislation

There are two Directives of the European Parliament and Council, related to hazardous areas, where an explosive atmosphere may be present.

Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX 95) of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 March 1994 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres

Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX 137) of the European Parliament and the Council of 16 December 1999 on minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres

These two Directives are commonly called the

АТЕХ

Directives.

АТЕХ

is abbreviation from the French “

АТ

mosphères

ЕХ

plosives“

Every one of these directives is followed by a number of European standards providing guidance for the implementation of same.

The Bulgarian Government published two ordinances which implement the

АТЕХ

Directives in Bulgaria even before joining EU.

Ordinance, based on Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX 95) is Ordinance of the substantial requirements and assessment of conformity concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Ratified on 21st September 2001

Ordinance, based on Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX 137) is Ordinance No 11 of 27 December 2004 on minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres. Ratified on 18th January 2005