IECEx OD 024-2018 PDF

Full title and description

St IECEx OD 024-2018 — IECEx Operational Document (OD) No. 024, published 2018. This operational document provides guidance and procedural material intended to support the IECEx Scheme for conformity assessment of equipment and services for use in explosive atmospheres. It supplements the IECEx Scheme rules and the IEC 60079 series by clarifying operational practices, responsibilities, and documentation expectations for certification bodies, testing laboratories and other scheme participants.

Abstract

This OD (Operational Document) sets out practical guidance and non-normative procedures used within the IECEx conformity assessment framework. It covers the intent and application of scheme requirements, roles and responsibilities of participating bodies, and recommended practices to ensure consistent and transparent certification, testing and verification activities related to equipment and services for explosive atmospheres.

General information

• Status: Published operational document (IECEx OD).
• Publication date: 2018 (OD reference year: 2018).
• Publisher: IECEx / International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) — IECEx Scheme operational document.
• ICS / categories: Electrical engineering; equipment for explosive atmospheres (commonly associated with ICS 29.020.x and the IEC 60079 series).
• Edition / version: OD 024 — 2018 edition.
• Number of pages: Varies by publication format; typically a short operational guidance document (estimate: 6–20 pages depending on distribution format).

Scope

The document applies to participants in the IECEx conformity assessment system and provides explanatory guidance on implementing scheme rules and related technical standards. It explains operational practices that affect certification, testing, quality assessment and record-keeping for products and services intended for use in explosive atmospheres. The OD is intended as supplementary, non-normative material to help ensure consistent application of normative standards and scheme rules across certification bodies, laboratories and other stakeholders.

Key topics and requirements

• Purpose and application of the OD within the IECEx Scheme (non-normative guidance).
• Definitions and clarifications of terms used in scheme documentation.
• Roles and responsibilities of ExCBs (Ex Certification Bodies), ExTLs (Ex Testing Laboratories), and National Certification Bodies when participating in IECEx processes.
• Recommended procedures for assessment, testing and certification workflows to support consistent decision making.
• Documentation, record-keeping and reporting expectations to support traceability and auditability.
• Guidance on marking, labeling and certificate handling relevant to equipment for explosive atmospheres.
• Relationship to the IEC 60079 series and applicable conformity assessment standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17065) and how they interact with IECEx processes.

Typical use and users

Used by IECEx scheme participants and stakeholders who need operational clarity when implementing conformity assessment activities: Ex Certification Bodies (ExCBs), Ex Testing Laboratories (ExTLs), accreditation and national bodies, manufacturers of equipment for explosive atmospheres, product conformity assessors, quality managers, and regulators in industries such as oil & gas, petrochemical, mining, utilities and related sectors.

Related standards

Closely related to the IEC 60079 series of standards (equipment and protective systems for explosive atmospheres), IECEx Scheme Rules and Operational Documents, and general conformity assessment standards such as ISO/IEC 17025 (testing and calibration laboratories) and ISO/IEC 17065 (product certifying bodies). Other IECEx ODs and Scheme Rules provide complementary operational and procedural details.

Keywords

IECEx, OD 024, operational document, explosive atmospheres, conformity assessment, certification, Ex equipment, IEC 60079, ExCB, ExTL, ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17065

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: This is an IECEx Operational Document (OD 024, dated 2018). It is guidance material produced for use within the IECEx conformity assessment Scheme and is non-normative in nature. It clarifies operational expectations for scheme participants.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It provides explanatory guidance on implementing IECEx Scheme rules and related standards for equipment and services intended for use in explosive atmospheres, including roles, recommended procedures, documentation and practical aspects of certification and testing workflows.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: IECEx certification bodies, testing laboratories, manufacturers, conformity assessors, accreditation bodies and regulators who participate in or rely upon IECEx certification processes for Ex equipment and systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document is referenced as OD 024-2018. Users should verify with the IECEx Scheme or their national IEC body for any updates, amendments or later edition releases to confirm currency before relying on procedural guidance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It is one of multiple IECEx Operational Documents (ODs) and sits alongside the IECEx Scheme Rules and other ODs that together provide operational, procedural and guidance material supporting the IECEx certification framework.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: IECEx, Operational Document, OD 024, explosive atmospheres, certification guidance, conformity assessment, Ex equipment.