COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 11.04.1997 
COM(97) 123 final 
95/0235 (SYN) 
Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
ON MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH 
PROTECTION OF WORKERS POTENTIALLY AT RISK FROM EXPLOSIVE 
ATMOSPHERES 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
The Commission submitted the original proposal for this Directive to Council on 18 September 1995.1 
The proposal is based on Article 118A of the EC Treaty in the form of an individual directive under Article 
16(1) of Council Directive 89/391/EEC2 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in 
the health and safety of workers at work. 
The aims of the proposal are : 
a) to adopt, as provided for in Article 118 A of the Treaty, the minimum requirements for the safety 
and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres ; 
b) to establish specific provisions to improve the safety and health protection of workers potentially at 
risk from explosive atmospheres in strict compliance with the principles set out in Directive 
89/391/EEC ; 
c) to create a suitable framework for explosion protection for industry in general, such as already 
exists for the mineral-extracting industries (Directives 92/91/EEC3 and 92/104/EEC4). 
This proposal supplements Directive 94/9/EC5 of 23 March 1994 on the approximation of laws of the 
Member States concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive 
atmospheres. Equipment and protective systems covered by this directive are divided into categories. For 
the proper use of these categories, the workplaces in which explosive atmospheres may be present must be 
classified in terms of zones. One of the purposes of this proposal is to create a standard legal basis for the 
zoning, based on a risk assessment of the workplaces where the equipment is to be used allowing for the 
adequate selection of equipment with the suitable level of protection for each zone. 
The Economic and Social Committee rendered a favorable opinion during its 333rd plenary session on 28 
and 29 February 1996. 
Subsequent to the opinion of the European Parliament (first reading) of 20 June 1996, the Commission 
herewith presents to the Council, under Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty, an amended proposal for a 
Directive. The text contains two main types of amendments : 
one group incorporates the European Parliament amendments accepted by the Commission 
a second group adresses editorial and linguistic problems trying to make the texts in the différents 
languages coherent in particular as Council directive 94/9/EC is concerned. 
Regarding the first group it must be noted that Parliament established 14 amendments (Annex 1) four of 
which the Commission did not accept, the others were accepted in part or in total. 
Concerning the four amendments which were not taken into account. 
Amendment N° 6 was considered unacceptable since Article 9 covers requirements on 
workplaces and work equipment ; 
OJ No C332, 9.12.1995, p. 10 
OJ No LI 83, 29.61989, p. 1 
OJ No L348, 28.11.1992, p. 9 
OJ No L404, 31.12.1992. p. 10 
OJNoLlOO, 19.4.1994, p. 1 
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Amendment N° 9, was considered to introduce uncertainty regarding the entering into force of the 
directive. However the Commission supported the concept underlying the amendment. It indicated 
that during the inter-institutional négociations, it will bear in mind this idea to ensure that 
information is promptly provided to all parties concerned. 
Amendment N° 10 was considered not acceptable as the proposed reference does not add anything 
essential but could create legal uncertainty. However, the Commission clarifies its original text by 
deleting the words, "and the assessment of the anticipated effects" in order to bring the text more in 
line with ISO standards in the domain. 
Finally, regarding amendment N° 12, it was felt that this amendment renders the text too restictive 
and imposes an unnecessary constraint on undertakings, in particular small and medium-sized 
enterprises and therefore was not accepted. 
Concerning, the amendments that were accepted either partly or totally : 
Regarding amendment N° 2, it was felt that the first part of the amendment clarifies the text of the 
original proposal. In contrast the last paragraph collides with the risk assessment philosophy as it 
imposes the application concurrently and simultaneously of the three basic principles, rendering the 
text unnecessarily stringent. 
Regarding amendment N° 3, the substitution of "responsible supervision" by "appropriate 
supervision" also reflects the opinion of ECOSOC and is acceptable. However including "training 
and education" in this context is meaningless as far as supervision is concerned. The last paragraph 
of the amendment cannot be accepted since it adds nothing to what is already stated in Article 4.4 
of the proposal and Article 6 of the Framework Directive (89/391/EEC). 
Regarding amendment N° 4, the Commission considers that the amendment is acceptable with a 
slightly different wording in line with the Commission's original text which specifies that the 
employer "shall ensure" that an explosion protection document is drawn up and kept up-to-date. 
Otherwise, the employer will be obliged to draw up this document himself, which would impose 
unacceptable constraints on small and medium-sized enterprises. 
Regarding amendment N° 7, the Commission considers that the deletion of "work equipment" is a 
logical consequence of the wording of Article 9, paragraph 1 and 2. However, workplaces already 
in use before entry into force of this directive have to comply with all the minimum requirements 
specified in the proposal and not only those of Article 4. 
With respect to amendment N° 8, the Commission considers that the deletion of the reference to 
Article 17 of the Framework Directive renders the text imprecise since the amendment does not 
specify who draws up the vademecum. As a consequence, it should be complemented in a way 
indicating that the Commission will draw up the Vademecum in accordance with the procedure laid 
down under Article 17 of Directive 89/391/EEC, modifications and supplements shall be subject to 
the same procedure. 
Five amendments N° 1, 5, 11, 13 and 14 improve the original text, and are totally accepted by the 
Commission. In particular the last one provides for early information to small and medium-sized 
enterprises which will facilitate their adaptation to the requirements of the directive 
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Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
ON MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH 
PROTECTION OF WORKERS POTENTIALLY AT RISK FROM EXPLOSIVE 
ATMOSPHERES 
Individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 
of Directive 89/391/EEC 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 
1b 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
ON MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR 
IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH 
PROTECTION OF WORKERS POTENTIALLY 
AT RISK FROM EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the unchanged 
European Community, and in particular Article 
118a thereof, 
Having regard to the Commission proposal1 unchanged 
submitted after consultation with the Advisory 
Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health 
Protection at Work and the Safety and Health 
Commission for the Mining and Other Extractive 
Industries, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament2, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee3, 
Whereas Article 118a of the Treaty provides that 
the Council shall adopt, by means of directives, 
minimum requirements designed to encourage 
improvements, especially in the working 
environment, as regards the health and safety of 
workers; 
Whereas, under the terms of that Article, those 
directives are to avoid imposing administrative, 
financial and legal constraints in a way which 
would hold back the creation and development of 
small and medium-sized undertakings; 
Whereas the improvement of occupational safety, 
hygiene and health is an objective which should not 
be subordinated to purely economic 
considerations; 
1 OJNoC p. 
2 OJNoC ,p. 
3 OJ No C , p. unchanged 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
Whereas compliance with the minimum 
requirements for improving the safety and health 
protection of workers potentially at risk from 
explosive atmospheres is essential to ensure 
workers' safety and health protection; 
Whereas this Directive is an individual directive 
within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Council 
Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the 
introduction of measures to encourage 
improvements in the safety and health of workers 
at work4; whereas, therefore, the provisions of the 
said Directive are also fully applicable to cases in 
which workers are potentially at risk from 
explosive atmospheres without prejudice to more 
restrictive or specific provisions contained in this 
Directive; 
Whereas this Directive constitutes a practical step 
towards the achievement of the social dimension of 
the internal market; 
Whereas the recitals to Parliament and Council 
Directive 94/9/EC on the approximation of the 
laws of the Member States concerning equipment 
and protective systems intended for use in 
potentially explosive atmospheres state that it is 
intended to prepare an additional directive based 
on Article 118a covering, in particular, explosion 
hazards which derive from a given use and/or types 
and methods of installation of equipment; 
Whereas explosion protection is of particular 
importance to safety; whereas explosions endanger 
the lives and health of workers as a result of the 
uncontrolled effects of flame and pressure, the 
presence of noxious reaction products and 
consumption of the oxygen in the ambient air 
which workers need to breathe; 
4 OJ No L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1 unchanged 
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Whereas Directive 94/9/EC of 23 March 1994 of 
European Parliament and Council on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States 
concerning equipment and protective systems 
intended for use in potentially explosive 
atmospheres5 states that it is intended to prepare 
an additional directive based on Article liSa 
covering, in particular, explosion hazards which 
derive from a given use and/or types and methods 
of installation of equipment; 
unchanged 
5 OJ No L 100, 19.4.1994, p. 1 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
Whereas explosions are characterised by the 
extreme rapidity with which they occur and the 
danger of propagation within interlinked 
installations; whereas manual intervention after an 
ignition is normally impossible; whereas, therefore, 
the minimum requirements for improving the safety 
and health protection of workers at risk from 
explosive atmospheres place special emphasis on 
the need for analysis to forecast the potential 
danger and the need for all necessary protective 
measures to be included right from the planning 
stage; 
Whereas the large number of potential explosion 
risks necessitates an overall assessment of places of 
work, in the context of which it becomes 
increasingly important, in line with technical 
development, to take account of logical (software) 
malfunctions in automatically controlled processes; 
Whereas the organisational aspects of explosion 
protection must be adapted to the technical 
problems occurring at places of work so that no 
weaknesses arise in the explosion protection 
arrangements; whereas Directive 89/391/EEC 
requires the employer to be in possession of an 
assessment of the risks to workers' safety and 
health at work; whereas this requirement is to be 
regarded as being amplified by the present 
Directive in that it provides that the employer shall 
draw up an explosion protection document and 
keep it up to date; whereas this explosion 
protection document may be part of the assessment 
of the risks to safety and health at work required 
by Article 9 (l)a of Directive 89/391/EEC; 
whereas the explosion protection document must 
contain the necessary measures for the safety and 
health protection of workers potentially at risk 
from explosive atmospheres; deleted 
deleted 
Whereas the establishment of a coherent strategy 
for the prevention of explosions requires that 
organisational measures complement the technical 
measures taken at the workplace; whereas 
Directive 89/391/EEC requires the employer to be 
in possession of an assessment of the risks to 
workers' safety and health at work; whereas this 
requirement is to be regarded as being specified by 
the present Directive in that it provides that the 
employer shall draw up an explosion protection 
document or set of documents which satisfy the 
minimum requirements laid down in this Directive 
and keep it up to date; whereas the explosion 
protection documents may be part of the 
assessment of the risks to safety and health at work 
required by Article 9 (l)a of Directive 
89/391/EEC; whereas the explosion protection 
documents must contain the necessary measures 
for the safety and health protection of workers 
potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres; 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
Whereas an assessment of explosion risks may be 
required under other Community legislation; 
whereas, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication 
of work, the employer should be allowed, in 
accordance with national practice, to combine 
documents, parts of documents or other equivalent 
reports produced in response to other legislation to 
form a single "safety report"; 
Whereas preventive measures must be 
supplemented if necessary by additional measures 
which become effective when ignition has taken 
place; whereas maximum safety can be achieved 
only by combining preventive and supplementary 
measures and taking account of operational 
conditions and the necessary maintenance; 
Whereas the prevention of explosive atmospheres 
as a general rule has priority; whereas in cases in 
which this is not possible in the current state of the 
art the ignition of explosive atmospheres must be 
prevented and the effects of any explosion kept 
within acceptable limits; whereas employers have a 
duty to make provision for all necessary safety 
measures and systems; 
Whereas Directive 94/9/EC, which applies without 
restriction from 1 July 2003, divides the equipment 
and protective systems which it covers into 
equipment groups and categories; whereas the 
present Directive provides for a classification of 
the places where explosive atmospheres may occur 
in terms of zones; whereas this classification is to 
be carried out by the employer and relates to the 
place of use; 
Whereas the requirements formulated in this 
Directive may not be adequate in all cases to 
prevent danger from hazards due to explosive 
mixtures under conditions other than atmospheric 
conditions or with co-reactants other than air, so 
that further measures are required; Whereas an assessment of explosion risks may be 
required under other Community acts, whereas, in 
order to avoid unnecessary duplication of work, 
the employer should be allowed, in accordance 
with national practice, to combine documents, 
parts of documents or other equivalent reports 
produced under other Community acts to form a 
single "safety report"; 
Whereas preventive measures must be 
supplemented if necessary by additional measures 
which become effective when ignition has taken 
place; whereas maximum safety can be achieved by 
combining preventive measures and other 
additional measures limiting the detrimental effects 
of explosions on workers; 
deleted 
Whereas Directive 94/9/EC divides the equipment 
and protective systems which it covers into 
equipment groups and categories; whereas the 
present Directive provides for a classification by 
the employer of the places where explosive 
atmospheres may occur in terms of zones and 
determines which equipment and protective 
systems groups and categories should be used in 
each zone; 
deleted 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
Whereas the scope of this Directive does not 
include medical facilities used directly for the 
treatment of patients, where particular importance 
attaches to the protection of patients in addition to 
workers' safety and health protection; whereas in 
such places the minimum requirements laid down 
in this Directive may not be sufficient in all cases; 
Whereas the scope of this Directive does not 
include the normal use of appliances burning 
gaseous fuels, since Council Directive 
90/396/EEC5 of 29 June 1990 on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States 
relating to appliances burning gaseous fuels 
contains essential requirements concerning the 
placing on the market and bringing into service of 
such appliances, which are applicable both to the 
appliances themselves and to their installation, so 
as to ensure that the safety of persons, domestic 
animals and property is not compromised; 
Whereas the scope of this Directive does not 
encompass handling of explosives and chemically 
unstable substances, since its requirements may not 
be sufficient in all cases and special measures may 
therefore be necessary; 
Whereas the scope of this Directive does not 
encompass the mineral-extracting industries as 
defined in Directives 92/91/EEC and 92/104/EEC, 
which relate to the protection of workers in these 
industries and already cover the question of 
explosion protection; whereas the minimum 
requirements laid down in those Directives are 
stricter than those in the present Directive on 
account of the greater potential hazard in the 
mineral-extracting industries; 
Whereas the scope of this Directive does not 
encompass the use of means of transport, including 
sea-going vessels, on which the pertinent 
provisions of the international agreements (ADR, 
IMO, etc.) apply, since these already ensure 
protection of workers, 
5 OJ No L 196, 26.7.1990, p. 15 deleted 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
SECTION I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Article 1 
Subject 
(1) This Directive, which is the ... individual 
directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of 
Directive 89/391/EEC, lays down minimum 
requirements for the safety and health protection of 
workers potentially at risk from explosive 
atmospheres as defined in Article 2. 
(2) This Directive does not apply to 
a) medical facilities used directly for the 
treatment of patients; 
b) normal use of appliances burning gaseous 
fuels as defined in Directive 90/396/EEC; 
c) manufacture, handling, storage and 
transport of explosives or chemically 
unstable substances. 
d) establishments of the mineral-extracting 
industries covered by Directive 92/91/EEC 
or Directive 92/104/EEC; 
e) use of means of transport, including sea­
going vessels, on which the pertinent 
provisions of the international agreements 
(ADR, IMO, etc.) apply. 
(3) The provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC 
and the pertinent individual directives are fully 
applicable to the domain referred to in paragraph 
1, without prejudice to more restrictive and/or 
specific provisions contained in this Directive. unchanged 
unchanged 
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b) use of appliances burning gaseous fuels in 
compliance with Directive 90/396/EEC6; 
unchanged 
d) mineral-extracting industries covered by 
Directive 92/91/EEC7 or Directive 
92/104/EEC8; 
e) use of means of transport, including sea­
going vessels, on which the pertinent 
provisions of the international agreements 
(ADR, IMO) apply. 
unchanged 
6 OJ No L 196,26.7.1990, p. 15 
7 OJ No L 348,28.11.1992, p. 9 
8 OJ No L 404,31.12.1992, p. 10 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
Article 2 
Definition 
For the purposes of this Directive, an explosive 
atmosphere shall be a mixture with air, under 
atmospheric conditions, of flammable substances in 
the form of gases, vapours, mists or dusts in 
which, after ignition has occurred, combustion 
spreads to the entire unburned mixture. 
SECTION n 
OBLIGATIONS OF THE EMPLOYER 
Article 3 
Principles for the prevention of and protection 
against explosions 
With a view to preventing and providing 
protection against explosions, the employer shall 
take technical and/or organisational measures 
appropriate to the nature of the operation, in 
accordance with the following basic principles, in 
order to: 
prevent the formation of explosive 
atmospheres, 
prevent the ignition of explosive 
atmospheres, 
reduce the effects of an explosion in such a 
way that workers are not at risk. 
Article 4 
General obligations 
(1) To ensure the safety and health of workers, 
and in accordance with the basic principles laid 
down in Article 3, the employer shall take the 
necessary measures so that: unchanged 
Article 3 
Principles for the prevention of and protection 
against explosions 
With a view to preventing, within the meaning of 
Article 6, paragraph 2 of Directive 89/391/EEC, 
and providing protection against explosions, the 
employer shall take technical and/or organisational 
measures appropriate to the nature of the 
operation, in accordance with the following basic 
principles: 
the prevention of the formation of explosive 
atmospheres, 
the avoidance of the ignition of explosive 
atmospheres, 
the reduction of the effects of an explosion in 
such a way that workers are not at risk. 
Article 4 
General obligations 
(1) To ensure the safety and health of workers, 
and in accordance with the basic principles laid 
down in Article 3, the employer shall take the 
necessary measures so that: 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
-where explosive atmospheres may arise in 
such quantities as to endanger the safety and 
health of workers, the working environment 
is such, given the appropriate measures, that 
workers can perform the work assigned to 
them without danger to their safety and 
health or to the safety and health of others, 
responsible supervision is ensured during the 
presence of workers in working 
environments where explosive atmospheres 
may arise in such quantities as to endanger 
the safety and health of workers, 
work during which workers may be at risk 
from explosive atmospheres is carried out 
only by competent persons or under their 
supervision, 
where necessary, workers wear only working 
clothes or personal protective equipment 
suitable for use in places where explosive 
atmospheres may arise in such quantities as 
to endanger the safety and health of workers. 
(2) Without prejudice to Council Directives 
89/654/EEC, 89/655/EEC and 92/57/EEC, the 
employer shall ensure : 
in accordance with the principle of overall 
assessment of the place of work, that work 
equipment and all installation materials are 
suitable for use in places where explosive 
atmospheres may arise and are so erected, 
installed and assembled that they do not give 
rise to an explosion risk; 
that the measures required under Article 3 
are combined or supplemented as necessary 
and that the necessary measures against the 
propagation of explosions are taken; where explosive atmospheres may arise in 
such quantities as to endanger the safety and 
health of workers, the working environment 
is such that workers can perform the work 
assigned to them without danger to their 
safety and health or to the safety and health 
of others, 
appropriate supervision during the presence 
of workers shall be ensured, including the 
use of monitoring devices and modern 
technical means, in working environments 
where explosive atmospheres may arise in 
such quantities as to endanger the safety and 
health of workers 
unchanged 
where explosive atmospheres may arise in 
such quantities as to endanger the health and 
safety of workers only appropriate working 
clothes and/or personal protective equipment 
are worn by workers. 
(2) Without prejudice to Council Directives 
89/654/EEC9, 89/655/EEC10 and 92/57/EEC11, the 
employer shall ensure : 
in accordance with the principle of overall 
assessment of the workplace, that work 
equipment and all installation materials are 
suitable for use in places where explosive 
atmospheres may arise and are erected, 
installed and assembled so that they do not 
give rise to an explosion risk; 
that the measures required under Article 3 
are where necessary combined and where 
necessary supplemented with measures 
against the propagation of explosions; 
9 OJ No L 393,30.12.1989, p. 1 
10 OJ No L 393, 30.12.1989, p. 13 
11 OJ No L 245,26.08.1992, p. 6 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
where necessary, that appropriate emergency 
routes are indicated and escape and rescue 
facilities are provided and maintained to 
ensure that workers can leave endangered 
places promptly and safely in the event of 
danger. 
(3) Following an appropriate health and safety 
policy, the employer shall ensure that a health and 
safety plan for explosion protection measures, 
hereinafter referred to as the "explosion protection 
document", satisfying the pertinent requirements of 
Articles 6, 9 and 10 of Directive 89/391/EEC, is 
drawn up and kept up to date. 
The explosion protection document shall 
demonstrate in particular: 
that the explosion risks incurred by the 
workers have been determined and 
assessed; 
that adequate measures will be taken to 
attain the aims of this Directive; 
that the workplace and work equipment 
including warning devices are designed 
operated and maintained with due regard 
for safety; 
that, in accordance with Directive 
89/655/EEC, arrangements have been made 
for the safe use of work equipment. 
The explosion protection document shall be drawn 
up prior to the commencement of work and be 
revised if the working environment, in particular 
the workplace, work equipment or organisation of 
the work, has undergone significant changes, 
extensions or conversions. 
(4) Where workers from several undertakings 
are present at the same workplace, each employer 
shall be responsible for all matters under his 
control. where necessary, that appropriate emergency 
routes are indicated and escape and rescue 
facilities are provided and maintained to 
ensure that in the event of danger workers 
can leave endangered places promptly and 
safely. 
(3) The employer shall ensure that a health and 
safety document for explosion protection 
measures, hereinafter referred to as the "explosion 
protection document", which may be a document 
or set of documents, satisfying the pertinent 
requirements of Articles 6 and 9 of Directive 
89/391/EEC, is drawn up and kept up to date 
unchanged 
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The explosion protection document shall be drawn 
up prior to the commencement of work and be 
revised when the workplace, work equipment or 
organisation of the work, undergoes significant 
changes, extensions or conversions. 
(4) Where workers from several undertakings 
are present at the same workplace, each employer 
shall be responsible for all matters coming under 
his control. 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
The employer responsible for the workplace in 
accordance with national law and/or practice shall 
coordinate the implementation of all the measures 
concerning workers' safety and health and shall 
state, in his explosion protection document, the 
aim of that coordination and the measures and 
procedures for implementing it. 
The coordination shall not affect the responsibility 
of the individual employers as provided for in 
Directive 89/391/EEC. 
Article 5 
Places containing explosive atmospheres 
(1) The employer shall specify in the explosion 
protection document the places to which the 
minimum requirements laid down in Annex II 
apply. 
He shall classify places 
atmospheres may occur in 
Annex! where explosive 
accordance with 
(2) In respect of the places covered by 
paragraph 1, the employer shall ensure compliance 
with the relevant provisions of the minimum 
requirements for improving the safety and health 
protection of workers potentially at risk from 
explosive atmospheres as laid down in Annex II. 
Annex IV provides guidance on the performance 
of work in the various zones. 
(3) Where necessary, places where explosive 
atmospheres may arise in such quantities as to 
endanger the safety and health of workers shall be 
marked with signs at the points of entry to them, in 
accordance with Annex III. unchanged 
The coordination shall not affect the individual 
responsibility of each employer as provided for in 
Directive 89/391/EEC. 
Places where explosive atmospheres may occur 
unchanged 
He shall classify places, where explosive 
atmospheres may occur, into zones in accordance 
with Annex I. 
(2) The employer shall ensure that the 
minimum requirements laid down in Annex II are 
applied to places covered by paragraph 1. 
unchanged 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
Article 6 
Worker information 
Without prejudice to Article 10 of Directive 
89/391/EEC, workers and/or their representatives 
shall be informed of all measures to be taken 
concerning safety and health at work, in particular 
those taken in pursuance of Articles 3 to 5 of this 
Directive. 
Article 7 
Consultation and participation of workers 
Consultation and participation of workers and/or 
of their representatives shall take place in 
accordance with Article 11 of Directive 
89/391/EEC on all matters covered by this 
Directive. 
Article 8 
Training of workers 
Without prejudice to Article 12 of Directive 
89/391/EEC, the employer shall take the necessary 
steps to ensure that workers potentially at risk 
from explosive atmospheres receive appropriate 
training, in particular in pursuance of Articles 3 to 
5 of this Directive. 
Article 9 
Special requirements for work equipment and 
workplaces 
(1) Work equipment for use in places where 
explosive atmospheres may occur which is made 
available in the undertaking or establishment for 
the first time after the entry into force of this 
Directive and up to 30 June 2003 shall comply 
with the minimum requirements laid down in 
Annex II A, if no other Community directive is 
applicable or is so only partially. unchanged 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
(2) Work equipment for use in places where 
explosive atmospheres may occur which is made 
available in the undertaking or establishment for 
the first time after 30 June 2003 shall comply with 
the minimum requirements laid down in Annex II 
AandB. 
(3) Workplaces which contain places where 
explosive atmospheres may occur and which are 
used for the first time after the entry into force of 
this Directive shall comply with its minimum 
requirements. 
(4) Where work equipment and workplaces 
which contain places where explosive atmospheres 
may occur are already in use before the entry into 
force of this Directive, they shall comply with its 
minimum requirements no later than three years 
after its entry into force. 
(5) If, after this Directive enters into force, any 
modification, extension or restructuring is 
undertaken in workplaces containing places where 
explosive atmospheres may occur, the employer 
shall take the necessary steps to ensure that these 
comply with this Directive's minimum 
requirements. 
SECTION in 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
Article 10 
Adjustments to the Annexes 
Purely technical adjustments to the Annexes of this 
Directive made necessary by 
the adoption of directives on technical 
harmonisation and standardisation in the 
field of explosion protection, 
and/or unchanged 
unchanged 
(4) Where workplaces which contain places 
where explosive atmospheres may occur are 
already in use before the entry into force of this 
Directive, they shall comply with its minimum 
requirements no later than three years after its 
entry into force. 
unchanged 
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Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
technical progress, changes in international 
regulations or specifications, and new 
findings on the prevention of and 
protection against explosions 
shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure 
laid down in Article 17 of Directive 89/391/EEC. 
Article 11 
Vademecum 
A vademecum shall be drawn up in agreement with 
the Council, describing some possible ways of 
complying with the minimum requirements 
contained in this Directive. Modifications and 
supplements to the vademecum shall be adopted in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 
17 of Directive 89/391/EEC. 
Article 12 
Final provisions 
(1) Member States shall bring into force the 
laws, regulations and administrative provisions 
necessary to comply with this Directive not later 
than 31 December 1997. They shall forthwith 
inform the Commission thereof. 
When Member States adopt these provisions, these 
shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall 
be accompanied by such reference at the time of 
their official publication. The procedure for such 
reference shall be adopted by the Member States. Article 11 
Vademecum 
A vademecum setting out guidelines for some 
possible ways of complying with the minimum 
requirements contained in this Directive shall be 
drawn up by the Commission in accordance with 
the procedure laid down under Article 17 of 
Directive 89/391/EEC, modifications and 
supplements shall be subject to the same 
procedure. 
Article 12 (new) 
Information to undertakings 
Member States shall ensure that the undertakings 
particularly medium and small sized enterprises, 
likely to be affected by this Directive, are timely 
informed of its provisions. In this conter Member 
States shall also ensure that the vademecum drawn 
up pursuant to Article 11 is widely distributed. 
Article 13 
Final provisions 
(1) Member States shall bring into force the 
laws, regulations and administrative provisions 
necessary to comply with this Directive not later 
than 31 December 1999. They shall forthwith 
inform the Commission thereof. 
unchanged 
- Page -13 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
(2) Member States shall communicate to the 
Commission the texts of the provisions of national 
law which they have already adopted or adopt in 
the field governed by this Directive. 
(3) Member States shall report to the 
Commission every five years on the practical 
implementation of the provisions of this Directive, 
indicating the points of view of employers and 
workers. 
The Commission shall inform the European 
Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social 
Committee and the Advisory Committee on Safety, 
Hygiene and Health Protection at Work. 
Article 13 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the Council unchanged 
unchanged 
unchanged 
Article 14 
unchanged 
-Page-14 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
ANNEX I 
CLASSIFICATION OF PLACES WHERE 
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES MAY OCCUR 
1. Preliminary note 
The following system of classification shall be 
applied to places where, as a result of local and 
operational conditions, an explosive atmosphere 
may occur in such quantities as to require 
precautions to be taken in accordance with Articles 
3 to 5 of this Directive. 
2. Places where explosive atmospheres may occur 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere may 
occur in such quantities as to require special 
precautions to protect the health and safety of the 
workers concerned shall be regarded as hazardous 
within the meaning of this Directive. 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere is not 
expected to occur in such quantities as to require 
special precautions shall be regarded as 
non-hazardous within the meaning of this 
Directive. 
Flammable substances shall be classified as 
materials which may form an explosive atmosphere 
unless an investigation of their properties has 
shown thaï in mixtures with air they are incapable 
of independently propagating an explosion. 
3. Classification of hazardous places 
Hazardous places shall be classified in terms of 
zones on the basis of the frequency and duration of 
the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere and the 
assessment of the anticipated effects. 
The extent of the measures to be taken in 
accordance with Annex II A is determined by this 
classification. The guide criteria for performance of 
work in the various zones (Annex IV) provide 
useful information which may be an aid to practical 
application. ANNEX I 
unchanged 
1. Preliminary note 
The following system of classification shall be 
applied to places where precautions in accordance 
with Articles 3 to 5 of this Directive shall be taken. 
unchanged 
unchanged 
Flammable and/or combustible substances sh<u* be 
considered as materials which may form an 
explosive atmosphere unless an investigation of 
their properties has shown that in mixtures with air 
they are incapable of independently propagating an 
explosion. 
3. Classification of hazardous places 
Hazardous places shall be classified in terms of 
zones on the basis of the frequency and duration of 
the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere. 
The extent of the measures to be taken in 
accordance with Annex II A is determined by this 
classification. 
- Page -15 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
ZoneO 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere 
consisting of a mixture with air of flammable 
substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is 
present continuously or for long periods or 
frequently. 
Zone 1 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere 
consisting of a mixture with air of flammable 
substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is 
likely to occur occasionally. 
Zone 2 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere A place in which an explosive atmosphere 
consisting of a mixture with air of flammable 
substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not 
likely to occur or, if it does occur, will persist for a 
short period only. 
Zone 20 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the 
form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is 
present continuously, for long periods or 
frequently and in which deposits of combustible 
dust of unknown or excessive thickness may be 
formed. (Dust deposits alone are not grounds for 
classification as Zone 20). 
Zone 21 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the 
form of a cloud of combustible dust in air can 
occasionally occur and in which deposits or layers 
of combustible dust can generally be present. ZoneO 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere 
consisting of a mixture with air of flammable 
substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is 
present continuously or for long periods or 
frequently. 
Zone 1 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere 
consisting of a mixture with air of flammable 
substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is 
likely to occur in normal operation occasionally. 
Zone 2 
consisting of a mixture with air of flammable 
substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not 
likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does 
occur, will persist for a short period only. 
Zone 20 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the 
form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is 
present continuously, or for long periods or 
frequently. 
Zone 21 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the 
form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely 
to occur in normal operation occasionally. 
-Page-16 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
Zone 22 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the 
form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not 
likely to occur or in which accumulations or layers 
of combustible dust are present. Zone 22 
A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the 
form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not 
likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does 
occur, will persist for a short period only. 
Note I : 
Layers, deposits and heaps of combustible dust 
shall be considered as any other source which can 
form an explosive atmosphere. 
Note II: 
Normal operation means the situation when 
installations are used within their design 
parameters. 
-Page-17 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
ANNEX II 
A. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR 
IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH 
PROTTECTION OF WORKERS 
POTENTIALLY AT RISK FROM EXPLOSIVE 
ATMOSPHERES 
PRELIMINARY NOTE 
The obligations laid down in this Annex apply 
whenever required by the features of 
workplaces, workstations, the equipment 
or substances used or the dangers caused 
by the activity in question as a result of 
explosive atmospheres, 
to equipment in non-hazardous places 
which is required for, or helps to ensure, 
the safe operation of equipment located in 
hazardous places. 
1. Organisational measures 
1.1 Competent workers 
For any workplace, there shall be available a 
sufficient number of workers with the requisite 
skills, experience and training to perform the 
explosion protection tasks assigned to them. 
1.2 Written instructions and permits to work 
Where required by the explosion protection 
document 
written instructions specifying the rules to 
be observed shall be issued for every 
workplace, taking into account the size of 
the operation and nature of activities, 
a system of permits to work shall be 
applied for carrying out both hazardous 
activities and activities which may interact 
with other work to cause hazards. ANNEX II 
A. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR 
IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH 
PROTECTION OF WORKERS POTENTIALLY 
AT RISK FROM EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES 
PRELIMINARY NOTE 
The obligations laid down in this Annex apply 
whenever required by the features of 
workplaces, workstations, the equipment or 
substances used or the dangers caused by the 
activity related to the risks from explosive 
atmospheres, 
unchanged 
unchanged 
1.2 Written instructions and permits to work 
Work in places defined as hazardous in the 
explosion protection document shall be performed 
in accordance with written instructions to be 
established by the employer. 
A system of permits to work shall be established by 
the employer for carrying out both hazardous 
activities and activities which may interact with 
other work to cause hazards as defined in the 
explosion protection document. 
Page-18 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
Permits to work shall be issued by a person with 
responsibility for this function prior to the 
commencement of work. 
1.3 Regular review of safety and health 
measures 
The employer shall ensure that the measures taken 
to protect the safety and health of the workers are 
reviewed regularly, at least once per year, to 
ensure compliance with this Directive. 
2. Assessment of explosion risks 
2.1 Any assessment of explosion risks shall be 
based on 
the likelihood that explosive atmospheres 
will occur and their persistence, 
the likelihood that ignition sources will be 
present and become effective, 
the scale of the anticipated effects. 
2.2 Ignitability shall be assessed by taking into 
account, in particular, 
the possible degree of dispersal of 
flammable substances, 
the possible concentration of flammable 
substances in air within their explosion 
limits. 
2.3 Explosion risks shall be assessed overall. 
The following are of particular importance: 
installations, 
substances used, 
processes, 
possible interaction, including interaction 
with the working environment. 
2.4 Working areas which are or can be 
connected via openings to places in which 
explosive atmospheres may occur shall be taken 
into account in assessing explosion risks. unchanged 
unchanged 
unchanged 
2.2 Ignitability shall be assessed by taking into 
account, in particular, 
the degree of dispersion of flammable and/or 
combustible substances, 
the concentration of flammable and/or 
combustible substances 
2.3 Explosion risks shall be assessed overall. 
The following are of particular importance: 
installations, 
substances used, 
processes, 
and their possible interaction. 
2.4 Places which are or can be connected via 
openings to places in which explosive atmospheres 
may occur shall be taken into account in assessing 
explosion risks. 
-Page-19 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
3. Planning principles 
3.1 When planning new installations or the 
modification of existing ones, attention shall be 
paid, in particular, to 
normal operating conditions, including 
maintenance work, 
constructional factors, 
commissioning and decommissioning, 
malfunctions, foreseeable fault conditions, 
misuse which may reasonably be 
anticipated. 
It shall also be ascertained as part of this process 
whether 
flammable substances can be replaced by 
others which cannot form explosive 
mixtures, 
all types of connecting and coupling 
devices can be avoided in places in which 
explosive atmospheres may occur. 
3.2 If the explosion protection document 
indicates that hazards to workers or the working 
environment cannot be ruled out, suitable measures 
and protective systems shall be introduced to 
combat such hazards. 
3.3 If the likelihood of an ignition source 
becoming effective cannot be assessed, the ignition 
source shall be regarded as being effective at all 
times, and protective measures selected 
accordingly. 
4. Explosion protection measures 
4.1 If an explosive atmosphere contains several 
types of flammable gases, vapours, mists or dusts, 
protective measures shall be appropriate to the 
greatest potential hazard. 
4.2 Prevention of ignition hazards in 
accordance with Article 3 shall also take account 
of electrostatic discharges, where workers or the 
working environment act as the charge carrier or 
charge producer. Planning of installations 
unchanged 
It shall also be ascertained as part of this process 
whether 
flammable and/or combustible substances 
can be replaced by others which cannot 
form explosive mixtures, 
all types of connections and couplings can 
be avoided in places in which explosive 
atmospheres may occur. 
3.2 If hazards to workers are identified at the 
design stage, suitable provisions and protective 
systems shall be planned to combat such hazards. 
3.3 If the likelihood of an ignition source 
becoming effective cannot be assessed, the ignition 
source shall be regarded as being effective at all 
times. 
4.1 If an explosive atmosphere contains several 
types of flammable and/or combustible gases, 
vapours, mists or dusts, protective measures shall 
be appropriate to the greatest potential hazard. 
unchanged 
Page -20 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
4.3 Suitable precautions shall be taken to 
prevent propagation of explosions by dangerous 
chain reactions. 
4.4 Work equipment and associated connecting 
devices shall be so assembled that they do not give 
rise to an explosion hazard. They may be brought 
into service only if the explosion protection 
document shows that their operation will not 
involve an explosion hazard. This applies also to 
work equipment and associated connecting devices 
which are not regarded as equipment or protective 
systems within the meaning of Directive 94/9/EC 
on the approximation of the laws of the Member 
States6 concerning equipment and protective 
systems intended for use in potentially explosive 
atmospheres if their incorporation into an 
installation can in itself give rise to an ignition 
hazard. Suitable precautions shall be taken to 
prevent confusion between connecting devices. 
4.5 If the way in which portable appliances are 
used is such that they may be operated in places 
with different degrees of potential danger, 
appropriate organisational measures shall be taken 
to ensure safe operation; otherwise such appliances 
shall be selected on the basis of the most 
unfavourable conditions of use. 
4.6 It shall be ensured that only those 
measuring instruments for recording explosive 
atmospheres are used which offer the reliability and 
accuracy appropriate to the actual conditions of 
use. 
4.7 Before explosion conditions are reached, it 
shall still be possible for the necessary explosion 
protection measures to be carried out in safety. 
Workers shall be given optical and/or acoustic 
warnings and, where necessary, withdrawn. 
4.8 Protection systems providing explosion 
pressure relief shall safely divert the explosion 
pressure and any substances released. 
4.9 Any gases released which may give rise to 
explosion hazards shall be suitably evacuated. 
6 OJ No L 100, 19.4.1994, p. 14 unchanged 
unchanged 
4.5 If portable appliances may be operated in 
places with different degrees of potential danger, 
appropriate organisational measures shall be taken 
to ensure safe operation; otherwise such appliances 
shall be selected on the basis of the most 
unfavourable conditions of use. 
4.6 It shall be ensured that only those 
measuring instruments for detecting explosive 
atmospheres are used which offer the reliability and 
accuracy appropriate to the actual conditions of 
use. 
4.7 It shall be ensured that the necessary 
explosion protection measures can be carried out 
in safety before explosion conditions are reached. 
Workers shall be given optical and/or acoustic 
warnings and, where necessary, withdrawn before 
the explosion conditions are reached. 
unchanged 
unchanged 
-Page-21 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
4.10 Deposits of explosible dusts outside work 
equipment shall be removed or rendered harmless. 
4.11 Where additional risks may arise if the 
power supply to equipment and protective systems 
is interrupted, it shall be possible to maintain them 
in a safe state of operation independently of the 
rest of the installation. 
4.12 Manual override shall be possible in order 
to shut down the equipment and protective systems 
incorporated within automatic processes which 
deviate from the intended operating conditions. 
Only competent persons may take such action. 
4.13 When the emergency shutdown is actuated, 
accumulated energy shall be dissipated or insulated 
as quickly and as safely as possible so that it no 
longer constitutes a hazard. 
This does not apply to electrochemically-stored 
energy. 
4.14 Before a workplace containing places 
where explosive atmospheres may occur is used 
for the first time, its overall explosion safety shall 
be checked. 
The requisite conditions for ensuring explosion 
protection shall be maintained. 
4.15 Such checks shall be carried out by persons 
who possess particular expertise in the field of 
explosion protection as a result of their 
professional training, experience and current job. 
Such persons shall be recognised and/or appointed 
for carrying out checks in a specific field in 
accordance with national legislation and/or 
practice. unchanged 
4.11 Where equipment and protective systems 
can give rise to a spread of additional risks in the 
event of a power failure, it must be possible to 
maintain them in a safe state of operation 
independently of the rest of the installation. 
4.12 Manual override must be possible in order 
to shut down the equipment and protective systems 
incorporated within automatic processes which 
deviate from the intended operating conditions, 
provided that this does not compromise safety. 
Only competent workers may take such action. 
4.13 When the emergency shutdown system is 
actuated, accumulated energy must be disipated as 
quickly and as safely as possible or isolated so that 
it no longer constitutes a hazard. 
This does not apply to electrochemically-stored 
energy. 
unchanged 
unchanged 
4.15 Such checks shall be carried out by persons 
competent in the field of explosion protection as a 
result of their professional training, experience and 
current job. 
deleted 
Page -22 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
B CRITERIA FOR THE 
WORK EQUIPMENT AND 
MATERIALS SELECTION OF 
INSTALLATION 
If the explosion protection document based on a 
risk assessment does not state otherwise, work 
equipment and installation materials for all places 
in which explosive atmospheres may occur shall be 
selected on the basis of the categories set out in 
Parliament and Council Directive 94/9/EC on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States 
concerning equipment and protective systems 
intended for use in potentially explosive 
atmospheres7. 
ZoneO 
In Zone 0, Category 1 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in areas in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by mixtures of air 
and gases, vapours or mists are present 
continuously, for long periods or frequently. 
Zone 1 
In Zone 1, Category 2 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in areas in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours or 
mists are likely to occur occasionally. Equipment 
suitable for use in Zone 0 may also be used. 
Zone 2 
In Zone 2, Category 3 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in areas in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours or 
mists are unlikely to occur or, if they do, are likely 
to do so only infrequently and for a short period 
only. Equipment suitable for use in Zones 0 or 1 
may also be used. 
Zone 20 
In Zone 20, Category 1 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in areas in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by air/dust mixtures 
are present continuously, for long periods or 
frequently 
7 OJ No L 100, 19.4.1994, p. 1 B. CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF 
EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS 
If the explosion protection document based on a 
risk assessment does not state otherwise, 
equipment and protective systems for all places in 
which explosive atmospheres may occur shall be 
selected on the basis of the categories set out in 
Parliament and Council Directive 94/9/EC on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States 
concerning equipment and protective systems 
intended for use in potentially explosive 
atmospheres. 
ZoneO 
In Zone 0, Category 1 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in places in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by mixtures of air 
and gases, vapours or mists are present 
continuously, for long periods or frequently. 
Zone 1 
In Zone 1, Category 2 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in places in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours or 
mists are likely to occur occasionally. Equipaient 
suitable for use in Zone 0 may also be used. 
Zone 2 
In Zone 2, Category 3 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in places in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours or 
mists are unlikely to occur or, if they do, are likely 
to do so only infrequently and for a short period 
only. Equipment suitable for use in Zones 0 or 1 
may also be used. 
Zone 20 
In Zone 20, Category 1 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in places in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by air/dust mixtures 
are present continuously, for long periods or 
frequently. 
Page -23 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
Zone 21 
In Zone 21, Category 2 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in areas in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by air/dust mixtures 
are likely to occur occasionally. Equipment 
suitable for use in Zone 20 may also be used. 
Zone 22 
In Zone 22, Category 3 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in areas in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by dust raised into 
the air are unlikely to occur or, if they do, are 
likely to do so only infrequently and for a short 
period only. Equipment suitable for use in Zones 
20 or 21 may also be used. 
In accordance with Directive 89/655/EEC, the 
employer shall ensure that the equipment and 
installation materials used are suitable for the 
actual operating and service conditions. Where 
appropriate, this also applies to working clothes 
and personal protective equipment. Zone 21 
In Zone 21, Category 2 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in places in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by air/dust mixtures 
are likely to occur occasionally. Equipment 
suitable for use in Zone 20 may also be used. 
Zone 22 
In Zone 22, Category 3 equipment shall be used 
which is intended for use in places in which 
explosive atmospheres caused by air/dust mixtures 
are unlikely to occur or, if they do, are likely to do 
so only infrequently and for a short period only. 
Equipment suitable for use in Zones 20 or 21 may 
also be used. 
unchanged 
- Page -24 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
ANNEX III 
Warning sign for places where explosive 
atmospheres may occur, pursuant to Article 5 (3) ANNEX III 
Warning sign for places where explosive 
atmospheres may occur, pursuant to Article 5 (3) 
Beware explosive atmospheres! 
Distinctive features: 
triangular shape 
black pictogram on a yellow background 
with black edging (the yellow part to take 
up at least 50% of the area of the sign). Place where explosive atmospheres may occur 
Distinctive features: 
triangular shape 
black pictogram on a yellow background 
with black edging (the yellow part to take 
up at least 50% of the area of the sign). 
Page -25 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
ANNEX IV 
GUIDE CRITERIA FOR PERFORMANCE OF 
WORK 
Installations are considered to be in normal 
operation when they are performing their intended 
function within their design parameters. 
Zone 0 
The presence of workers and performance of work 
are as a general rule not permissible. 
Ignition sources which may become effective 
during normal operation and even in infrequently 
occurring cases of malfunction must be avoided. 
Zone 1 
The performance of work during which ignition 
sources may occur during normal operation is 
permissible only if the precautions for this zone set 
out in the explosion protection document are 
applied. 
Ignition sources which may become effective 
during normal operation and in foreseeable cases 
of malfunction must be avoided. 
Zone 2 
The performance of work during which ignition 
sources may occur during normal operation is 
permissible only if the precautions for this zone set 
out in the explosion protection document are 
applied. 
Ignition sources which may become effective 
during normal operation must be avoided. unchanged 
unchanged 
unchanged 
unchanged 
- Page -26 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
Zone 20 
The presence of workers and performance of work 
are as a general rule not permissible. 
Ignition sources which may become effective 
during normal operation and even in infrequently 
occurring cases of malfunction must be avoided. 
Zone 21 
The performance of work during which ignition 
sources may occur during normal operation is 
permissible only if the precautions for this zone set 
out in the explosion protection document are 
applied. 
Ignition sources which may become effective 
during normal operation and in foreseeable cases 
of malfunction must be avoided. 
Zone 22 
The performance of work during which ignition 
sources may occur during normal operation is 
permissible only if the precautions for this zone set 
out in the explosion protection document are 
applied. 
Ignition sources which may become effective 
during normal operation must be avoided. unchanged 
unchanged 
unchanged 
- Page -27 
Original Commission Proposal Modified Proposal 
ANNEX V 
NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF SUBJECTS 
SUPPLEMENTING THE MINIMUM 
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS DIRECTIVE AND 
COVERED BY THE VADEMECUM 
REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 9 
Layout and contents of the explosion 
protection document (see Article 4.3) 
Organisational measures (see Annex II A, 
section 1) 
Assessment of explosion risks (see Annex 
II A, section 2) 
Planning principles (see Annex II A, 
section 3) 
Explosion protection measures (see Annex 
II, section 4) 
Instructions for the zoning of hazardous 
places (see Annex I) 
Information on pertinent standards relating 
to work equipment unchanged 
Planning of installations (see Annex II A, 
section 3) 
unchanged up to end. 
Page -28 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(97) 123 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 04 05 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-112-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-17222-7 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
z<\