Background information:

Explosions on offshore facilities, vessels or in onshore facilities such as mines, refineries, chemical plants or mills entail high risks for individuals working such industries. Therefore, equipment used in explosive environments must have a high level of safety to protect workers against explosions the natural environment against possible consequences.

In 2006, an initiative to develop common regulations in this sector based on the model of Recommendation L. Specifically, the purpose of the initiative is to develop common regulatory objectives (CROs) covering the definition of area classification, verification of the equipment and its production, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair and the related conformity assessment procedures for products, services and competency of personnel. The overall goal of the Sectoral Initiative is to promote and enhance safety, while at the same time eliminating barriers against the free trade and use of the equipment.

The UNECE is partnering with IECEx in developing this initiative. The UNECE also gratefully acknowledges support from the German government, and the PTB.