Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2017/90/made
Timestamp: 2018-09-21 16:46:54
Document Index: 265372243

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 5', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6']

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 and shall come into operation on 10th July 2017 (“the commencement date”).
“the 1994 Directive” means Directive 94/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres(6);
“the 1996 Regulations” means the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(7);
“accreditation certificate” means a certificate, issued by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service(8) or a national accreditation body in another Member State or Great Britain, attesting that a conformity assessment body meets the notified body requirements;
“ATEX Directive” means Directive 2014/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (recast)(9);
“harmonised standard” has the meaning set out in point 1(c) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European standardisation(10) (as amended from time to time);
“RAMS” means Regulation (EC) 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/93(11);
(7) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(12) shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.
3.—(1) These Regulations apply to products which—
(a)fall within the meaning of “product” in paragraph (2); and
(b)are not excluded by paragraph (3).
(2) A “product” means—
(a)equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres;
(b)safety devices, controlling devices and regulating devices intended for use outside potentially explosive atmospheres but required for or contributing to the safe functioning of equipment and protective systems with respect to the risks of explosion; and
(c)components intended to be incorporated into equipment and protective systems referred to in sub-paragraph (a).
(3) The following products are excluded from the definition in paragraph (2)—
(a)medical devices intended for use in a medical environment;
(b)equipment and protective systems where the explosion hazard results exclusively from the presence of explosive substances or unstable chemical substances;
(c)equipment intended for use in domestic and non-commercial environments where potentially explosive atmospheres may only rarely be created, solely as a result of the accidental leakage of fuel gas;
(d)personal protective equipment covered by Council Directive 89/686/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment(13);
(e)seagoing vessels and mobile offshore units together with equipment on board such vessels or units;
(f)means of transport (other than vehicles intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere), including vehicles and their trailers intended solely for transporting passengers by air or by road, rail or water networks and means of transport in so far as such means are designed for transporting goods by air, by public road or rail networks or by water;
(g)the equipment covered by Article 346(1)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; and
(h)products which have been placed on the market before the commencement date.
Exceptions for trade fairs, exhibitions and demonstrations
4. The provisions of Part 2 (and of Part 5, so far as applying in relation to obligations under Part 2) do not apply to the showing of a product which is not in conformity with Part 2, at a trade fair, exhibition or demonstration, provided that a visible sign clearly indicates that—
(a)the product is not in conformity with Part 2; and
(b)the product is not available for sale until brought into conformity with Part 2.
Design and manufacture in accordance with essential health and safety requirements
5. Before placing a product on the market or using a product for their own purposes, a manufacturer shall ensure that it has been designed and manufactured in accordance with the essential health and safety requirements.
6. Before placing a product on the market or using it for their own purposes, a manufacturer shall—
(a)carry out the relevant conformity assessment procedure or have a relevant conformity assessment procedure carried out; and
(i)for a product in respect of which the conformity assessment procedure in regulation 39(1)(a) is being carried out, in point 3(c) of Module B of Annex III to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);
(ii)for a product in respect of which the conformity assessment procedure in regulation 39(1)(b) is being carried out, in point 3(c) of Module B of Annex III to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);
(iii)for a product in respect of which the conformity assessment procedure in regulation 39(1)(c) is being carried out, in point 2 of Module A of Annex VIII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);
(iv)for a product in respect of which the conformity assessment procedure in regulation 39(1)(d) is being carried out, in point 2 of Module G of Annex IX to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);
7.—(1) Save for where a product is a component, where the conformity of a product with the essential health and safety requirements has been demonstrated by a relevant conformity assessment procedure, the manufacturer shall, before placing the product on the market—
(a)draw up a declaration of conformity in accordance with regulation 40 (EU declaration of conformity); and
(b)affix the CE marking in accordance with regulation 41 (CE marking).
(2) The manufacturer shall keep the EU declaration of conformity up-to-date.
(3) Where the conformity of a component with the essential health and safety requirements has been demonstrated by a relevant conformity assessment procedure, the manufacturer shall, before placing the component on the market, draw up a written attestation of conformity in accordance with regulation 39(3) (Conformity assessment procedures).
(4) Subject to paragraph (5), before placing a product on the market, the manufacturer shall ensure that each product is accompanied by a copy of the EU declaration of conformity or attestation of conformity as appropriate.
(5) Where a large number of products are delivered to a single user, the batch or consignment may be accompanied by a single copy of the EU declaration or attestation of conformity as appropriate.
(6) Where a product is subject to more than one EU instrument requiring a declaration of conformity to be drawn up, the manufacturer shall draw up a single declaration of conformity, which—
8. A manufacturer shall keep the technical documentation and the EU declaration of conformity (or where applicable, the attestation of conformity) drawn up in respect of a product for a period of 10 years beginning on the day on which the product is placed on the market.
9.—(1) A manufacturer of a product which is manufactured by series production shall ensure that, before placing a product on the market, procedures are in place to ensure that any product so manufactured will be in conformity with Part 2.
(2) In doing so, the manufacturer shall take adequate account of—
(a)any change in the product design or characteristics; and
(b)any change in a harmonised standard or in another technical specification by reference to which the EU declaration of conformity or attestation of conformity was drawn up.
11.—(1) Before placing a product on the market, a manufacturer shall ensure that it bears a type, batch, serial number or other element allowing its identification.
(2) If the size or nature of the product does not provide sufficient space for the labelling requirements in paragraph (1), the manufacturer shall ensure that the information is provided on the packaging or in a document accompanying the product.
Labelling and packaging of products, other than components
12. Save for where a product is a component, before placing a product on the market a manufacturer shall ensure that it—
(a)bears the specific marking of explosion protection as referred to at paragraph 5(1)(f) of Schedule 1; and
(b)where applicable, bears the other markings and information referred to at paragraph 5 of Schedule 1.
13.—(1) Before placing a product on the market, a manufacturer shall indicate on the product—
(a)the name, registered trade name or registered trade mark of the manufacturer; and
(2) Where it is not possible to indicate the information specified in paragraph (1) on the product, the manufacturer shall indicate that information—
(a)on the product packaging; or
(3) The information specified in paragraph (1) shall be in a language which can be easily understood by end-users and the competent national authority in the Member State in which it is to be made available to such end-users.
14.—(1) When placing a product on the market, a manufacturer shall ensure that it is accompanied by instructions and safety information in a language which can be easily understood by end-users in the Member State in which it is to be made available on the market.
(2) The instructions and safety information referred to in paragraph (1) and any labelling shall be clear and understandable.
(3) Where the Member State referred to in paragraph (1) is the United Kingdom, the language referred to in that paragraph shall be English.
15.—(1) A manufacturer who considers, or has reason to believe, that a product which the manufacturer has placed on the market is not in conformity with Part 2, shall immediately take the corrective measures necessary to—
(2) Where the product presents a risk , the manufacturer shall immediately inform the market surveillance authority, and the competent national authorities of any other Member State in which the manufacturer made the product available on the market, of the risk, giving details of—
16.—(1) A manufacturer shall, further to a reasoned request from the market surveillance authority, and within such period as the market surveillance authority may specify, provide the authority with the information and documentation necessary to demonstrate that the product is in conformity with Part 2—
(2) A manufacturer shall, at the request of the market surveillance authority, cooperate with the authority on any action taken to—
(a)evaluate a product in accordance with regulation 55 (Evaluation of products presenting a risk);
(b)eliminate the risks posed by a product which the manufacturer has placed on the market.
17.—(1) A manufacturer may, by written mandate, appoint a person established in the EU as their authorised representative to perform specified tasks on the manufacturer’s behalf.
(2) A manufacturer who has appointed an authorised representative to perform, on the manufacturer’s behalf, a task under these Regulations remains responsible for the proper performance of that task.
(3) The obligations laid down in regulation 5 (Design and manufacture in accordance with essential health and safety requirements) and regulation 6(b) (Technical documentation and conformity assessment) shall not form part of an authorised representative’s mandate.
(4) The mandate shall allow the authorised representative to do at least the following in relation to a product covered by the mandate—
(b)perform the manufacturer’s obligations under regulation 16 (Provision of information and cooperation);
(5) An authorised representative shall comply with all duties imposed on the manufacturer in relation to each obligation under these Regulations that the authorised representative is appointed by the mandate to perform and, accordingly as far as those duties are concerned, as well as the penalties for failure to comply with those duties, references in these Regulations (except in this regulation) to the manufacturer is to be taken as including a reference to the authorised representative.
CHAPTER 3DISTRIBUTORS
28. When making a product available on the market, a distributor shall act with due care to ensure that it is in conformity with Part 2.
Requirements which shall be satisfied before a distributor makes a product available on the market
29.—(1) Before making a product available on the market, the distributor shall verify that—
(a)the product—
(i)bears a CE marking where applicable;
(ii)is accompanied by the EU declaration of conformity or the attestation of conformity;
(iv)is accompanied by instructions and safety information in a language which can be easily understood by end-users in the Member State in which the product is to be made available on the market;
(b)the manufacturer has complied with the requirements set out in regulation 11 (Labelling and packaging of products), regulation 12 (Labelling and packaging of products, other than components) and regulation 13 (Information identifying manufacturer); and
(c)the importer has complied with the requirements set out in regulation 21 (Information identifying importer).
(2) In paragraph (1)(a)(iii), “required documents” means the documents that the manufacturer or importer is required to provide with the product pursuant to—
(c)regulation 21(3)(b) (Information identifying importer).
30. Each distributor shall ensure that, whilst a product is under that distributor’s responsibility, its storage or transport conditions do not jeopardise its conformity with the essential health and safety requirements.
Duty to take action in respect of products made available on the market which are not in conformity
32.—(1) A distributor who considers, or has reason to believe, that a product which the distributor has made available on the market is not in conformity with Part 2 shall make sure that the necessary corrective measures are taken to—
(a)bring that product into conformity;
(2) Where the product presents a risk, the distributor shall immediately inform the market surveillance authority, and the competent national authorities of the other Member States in which the distributor has made the product available on the market, of that risk, giving details of—
CHAPTER 4IMPORTERS AND DISTRIBUTORS
CHAPTER 5ALL ECONOMIC OPERATORS
35.—(1) An economic operator (“E”) who receives a request from the market surveillance authority before the end of the relevant period, shall, within such period as the authority may specify, identify to the authority—
(a)any economic operator who has supplied E with a product; and
(b)any economic operator to whom E has supplied a product.
(a)for information under paragraph (1)(a), a period of 10 years beginning on the day on which E was supplied with the product;
(b)for information under paragraph (1)(b), a period of 10 years beginning on the day on which E supplied the product.
37.—(1) Before making a product available on the market, an economic operator shall ensure that the EU declaration of conformity is prepared in, or translated into, the language required by the Member State in which it is to be made available on the market.
(2) Where the product is to be made available on the market in the United Kingdom, the language required is English.
38.—(1) A product which is in conformity with a harmonised standard (or part of such a standard) the reference to which has been published in the Official Journal is presumed to be in conformity with the essential health and safety requirements covered by that standard (or that part of that standard).
39.—(1) For the assessment of conformity of equipment, and where necessary those devices referred to at regulation 3(2)(b), the manufacturer shall follow one of the following procedures—
(a)for equipment-groups I and II, equipment-categories M 1 and 1, the manufacturer shall follow the EU-type examination set out in Annex III to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time), in conjunction with—
(i)conformity to type based on quality assurance of the production process as set out in Annex IV to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time); or
(ii)conformity to type based on product verification as set out in Annex V to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);
(b)for equipment-groups I and II, equipment-categories M 2 and 2, the manufacturer shall follow—
(i)for internal combustion engines and electrical equipment in these groups and categories, the EU-type examination referred to in Annex III to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time) in conjunction with—
(aa)conformity to type based on internal production control plus supervised product testing as referred to in Annex VI to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time); or
(bb)conformity to type based on product quality assurance as set out in Annex VII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);
(ii)for other equipment in these groups and categories—
(aa)the procedure relating to internal production control referred to in Annex VIII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time); and
(bb)the provision to a notified body of the technical documentation provided for in paragraph 2 of Annex VIII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);
(c)for equipment-group II, equipment category 3, the procedure relating to internal production control referred to in Annex VIII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time);
(d)for equipment-groups I and II, instead of the procedures referred to in paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c), the manufacturer may follow conformity based on unit verification referred to in Annex IX to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time).
(2) The procedure referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (d) shall be used for the conformity assessment of protective systems.
(3) For the assessment of conformity of components, the manufacturer shall—
(a)follow the procedures referred to in paragraph (1), with the exception of—
(i)affixing the CE marking; and
(ii)drawing up of the EU declaration of conformity;
(b)issue a written attestation of conformity which shall—
(i)confirm conformity of the component with Part 2 of these Regulations;
(ii)state the characteristics of the component; and
(iii)explain how the component shall be incorporated into equipment or protective systems to comply with the essential health and safety requirements.
(4) In respect of the safety aspects referred to in paragraph 13 of Schedule 1, instead of the conformity assessment procedures referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2), the manufacturer may follow the procedure referred to in Annex VIII to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time).
(5) Where the procedures referred to in paragraphs (1), (2) and (4) have not been applied, the market surveillance authority, may authorise the placing on the market and the putting into service, of a product other than a component, in the Member State concerned where—
(a)the market surveillance authority is in receipt of a duly justified request, requesting the placing on the market and the putting into service of a product, other than a component; and
(b)the use of the product is in the interests of protection.
(6) The manufacturer shall ensure that the documents and correspondence relating to the conformity assessment procedures referred to in paragraphs (1) to (4) are in the language determined by the Member State in which the product is made available on the market.
40. The EU declaration of conformity for a product shall—
(a)state that the fulfilment of the essential health and safety requirements have been demonstrated in respect of the product;
(b)have the model structure set out in Schedule 6; and
(c)contain the elements specified in Annexes III to IX to the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time) for the relevant conformity assessment procedure followed in respect of the product.
41.—(1) The CE marking shall be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the product or the product’s data plate.
(2) Where it is not possible or warranted, on account of the nature of the product, to affix the CE marking in accordance with paragraph (1), the CE marking shall be affixed to—
(3) The CE marking shall be followed by the identification number of the notified body which carried out the relevant conformity assessment procedure for the product, where that body is involved in the production control phase.
(4) The identification number of the notified body shall be affixed—
(b)under the instructions of the notified body, by the manufacturer or the authorised representative.
(5) The CE marking and, where applicable, the identification number of the notified body shall be followed by—
(a)the specific marking of explosion protection as referred to in paragraph 5(1)(f) of Schedule 1;
(b)the symbols of the equipment-group and category; and
(c)where applicable, the other markings and information referred to in paragraph 5 of Schedule 1.
(6) Products designed for a particular explosive atmosphere shall be marked accordingly.
47. The Executive may authorise the United Kingdom Accreditation Service(14) to carry out the following activities on behalf of the Executive—
51. In Northern Ireland, the market surveillance authority for a product is the Executive.
52. The Executive shall enforce these Regulations and RAMS in its application to a product.
53.—(1) Schedule 4 (Enforcement powers of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland under the 1978 Order) is to have effect.
(2) In addition to the powers available to the Executive under paragraph (1), the Executive may use the powers set out in Schedule 5 (Compliance, withdrawal and recall notices).
Evaluation of a product presenting a risk
55. Where the Executive has sufficient reason to believe that a product presents a risk, the Executive shall carry out an evaluation in relation to the product covering the relevant requirements of Part 2.
Enforcement action in respect of products which are not in conformity and which present a risk
56.—(1) Where, in the course of the evaluation referred to in regulation 55, the Executive finds that the product is not in conformity with Part 2, it shall, without delay, require a relevant economic operator to—
(a)take appropriate corrective action to bring the product into conformity with those requirements within a prescribed period;
(b)withdraw the product within a prescribed period; or
(c)recall the product within a prescribed period.
(2) The Executive shall inform the notified body which carried out the conformity assessment procedure in respect of the product of—
(a)the respect in which the product is not in conformity with Part 2; and
(b)the actions which the Executive is requiring the relevant economic operator to take.
(3) Where the Executive considers that the lack of conformity referred to in paragraph (1) is not restricted to Northern Ireland, the Executive shall inform the European Commission, Great Britain and the other Member States of—
(b)the actions which the Executive has required the economic operator to take.
(4) Where the relevant economic operator does not take adequate corrective action within the prescribed period, the Executive shall take appropriate measures to—
(a)prohibit or restrict the product being made available on the market in Northern Ireland;
(b)withdraw the product from the market in Northern Ireland; or
(5) Where the Executive takes measures under paragraph (4), the Executive shall notify the European Commission, Great Britain and the other Member States of those measures without delay.
(6) The notice in paragraph (5) shall include details about the product and, in particular—
(a)the data necessary for the identification of the product which is not in conformity with Part 2;
(b)the origin of the product;
(i)failure of the product to meet requirements relating to a risk;
(ii)shortcomings in the harmonised standards referred to in regulation 38 (Presumption of conformity) conferring a presumption of conformity.
(7) In this regulation, “prescribed period” means a period which is—
(a)prescribed by the Executive; and
(b)reasonable and commensurate with the nature of the risk presented by the product.
57.—(1) Where another Member State has initiated the procedure under Article 35 of the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time), the Executive shall, without delay, inform the European Commission, Great Britain and the other Member States of—
(a)any measures taken by the Executive in respect of the product;
(b)any additional information which the Executive has at its disposal relating to the lack of conformity of the product; and
(c)any objections that the Executive may have to the measure taken by the Member State initiating the procedure.
(2) Where a measure taken by another Member State in respect of a product is considered justified under Article 35(7) of the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time), the Executive shall ensure that appropriate measures, such as withdrawal, are taken in respect of the product without delay.
(3) Where a measure taken by another Member State in respect of a product is considered justified by the European Commission under Article 36(1) of the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time), the Executive shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the product is withdrawn from the market in Northern Ireland.
(4) Where the Executive has taken action under paragraph (2) or (3), the Executive shall inform the European Commission of the action taken.
(5) If a measure taken by the Executive pursuant to regulation 56 is considered unjustified by the European Commission under Article 36(1) of the ATEX Directive (as amended from time to time), the Executive shall withdraw that measure.
Enforcement action in respect of products which are in conformity, but present a risk
58.—(1) Where, having carried out an evaluation under regulation 55, the Executive finds that although a product is in conformity with Part 2, it presents a risk, the Executive shall require a relevant economic operator to take appropriate measures to—
(a)ensure that the product concerned, when placed on the market, no longer presents a risk;
(2) Where the Executive takes measures under paragraph (1), the Executive shall notify the European Commission, Great Britain and the other Member States immediately.
(3) The notice referred to in paragraph (2) shall include details about the product and, in particular—
(a)the data necessary for the identification of the product concerned;
(b)the origin and the supply chain of the product;
(d)the nature and duration of the measures taken by the Executive.
(4) In this regulation, “prescribed period” means a period which is—
59.—(1) Where the Executive makes one of the following findings relating to a product, it shall require a relevant economic operator to remedy the non-compliance concerned within a specified period—
(i)where required, has not been affixed; or
(ii)has been affixed otherwise than in accordance with regulations 36 (Prohibition on improper use of CE marking) and 41 (CE marking);
(b)where a notified body is involved in the production control phase for the product, the identification number of the notified body—
(ii)has been affixed otherwise than in accordance with regulation 41;
(c)the EU declaration of conformity or the attestation of conformity as appropriate—
(i)does not accompany the product; or
(ii)has been drawn up otherwise than in accordance with regulations 7 (EU declaration of conformity and CE marking) and 40 (EU declaration of conformity);
(e)the following product information has not been affixed or has been affixed otherwise than in accordance with paragraph 5 of Schedule 1—
(i)specific marking of explosion protection in accordance with paragraph 5(1)(f) of Schedule 1;
(ii)the symbols of the equipment-group and category in accordance with paragraph 5(1)(g) of Schedule 1;
(iii)where applicable, the other markings and information required by paragraph 5(1) of Schedule 1.
(f)the following information that is required to be included in the labelling of the product is absent, false or incomplete—
(i)the information specified in regulation 13 (Information identifying manufacturer);
(ii)the information specified in regulation 21 (Information identifying importer); or
(g)any other administrative requirement imposed on the manufacturer or importer under Part 2 has not been fulfilled.
(2) The Executive shall not take any enforcement action against the relevant economic operator under these Regulations in respect of the non-compliance concerned until the period referred to in paragraph (1) has elapsed.
(3) Where the non-compliance referred to in paragraph (1) persists, the Executive shall take appropriate measures to—
(a)restrict or prohibit the product being made available on the market;
(b)ensure that the product is withdrawn; or
(c)ensure that the product is recalled.
(4) This regulation does not apply where a product presents a risk.
60. When enforcing these Regulations, the Executive shall comply with the requirements of Article 21 of RAMS (as amended from time to time) in relation to any measure to—
(a)prohibit or restrict a product being made available on the market;
(b)withdraw a product; or
(c)recall a product.
61.—(1) It is an offence for any person to contravene or fail to comply with any requirement of regulations 5 to 15, 16(2), 18 to 25, 26(2), 27 to 32, 33(2), 35 or 36.
(2) It is an offence for any person to contravene or fail to comply with any requirement of a withdrawal or recall notice served on that person by the Executive under these Regulations.
62. Any person guilty of an offence under regulation 61 is liable—
63.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4), in proceedings for an offence under regulation 61, it is a defence for a person (“P”) to show that P took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid committing the offence.
(ii)supplied the information on which P relied;
(b)be served on the person bringing the proceedings not less than seven clear days before the hearing of the proceedings.
(4) P may not rely on a defence under paragraph (1) which involves an allegation that the commission of the offence was due to reliance on information supplied by another person unless it was reasonable for P to have relied upon the information, having regard in particular to—
64.—(1) Where the commission of an offence by one person (“A”) under regulation 61 is due to anything which another person (“B”) did or failed to do in the course of business, B is guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and punished, whether or not proceedings are taken against A.
(3) In paragraph (2), “relevant person” means any of the following—
(b)in relation to a body corporate managed by its members, a member of that body corporate performing managerial functions; or
(c)a person purporting to act as a person described in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b).
65.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), information relating to an offence under regulation 61 that is triable by a magistrates’ court may be so tried if it is laid within twelve months after the date on which evidence which is sufficient in the opinion of the prosecutor to justify the proceedings comes to the knowledge of the prosecutor.
(2) No proceedings may be brought more than three years after the commission of the offence.
(3) For the purposes of this regulation a certificate of the prosecutor as to the date on which the evidence referred to paragraph (1) came to light, is conclusive evidence.
(4) This regulation has effect subject to paragraphs 1(n) and 2(o) of Schedule 4 (Enforcement powers of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland under the 1978 Order).
67.—(1) This regulation applies where a person commits an offence under regulation 61.
(2) The court may (in addition to any other order it may make as to costs or expenses) order the person to reimburse the Executive for any expenditure which the Executive has incurred in investigating the offence.
(3) A civil debt recoverable under paragraph (2) may be recovered summarily in proceedings under Article 62 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981(15).
69.—(1) An application for an order to vary or set aside the terms of a notice served under these Regulations may be made—
(a)by the economic operator on whom the notice has been served;
(b)in the case of a notice other than a recall notice, by a person having an interest in the product in respect of which the notice has been served.
(2) An application shall be made before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the notice was served.
(a)that the product to which the notice relates is in conformity with Part 2 and does not present a risk; or
(b)that the Executive failed to comply with regulation 54 (Exercise of enforcement powers) when serving the notice.
(a)the “appropriate court” is to be determined in accordance with regulation 70 (Appropriate court for appeals against notices); and
(i)a notice to warn served in accordance with Schedule 4 (Enforcement powers of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland under the 1978 Order);
(ii)a suspension notice served in accordance with Schedule 4;
(iii)a compliance notice served in accordance with Schedule 5 (Compliance, withdrawal and recall notices);
(iv)a withdrawal notice served in accordance with Schedule 5;
(v)a recall notice served in accordance with Schedule 5.
70.—(1) The appropriate court for the purposes of regulation 69 is—
(a)the court in which proceedings have been brought in relation to the product for an offence under regulation 61 (Offences);
(b)an industrial tribunal seized of appeal proceedings against a notice which relates to the product and which has been served under or by virtue of paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 (Enforcement powers of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland under the 1978 Order); or
(2) A person aggrieved by an order made by a magistrates’ court pursuant to an application under regulation 69, or by a decision of such a court not to make such an order, may appeal against that order or decision to the county court.
71.—(1) A certificate issued, or approval granted, by a notified body under Schedule 6 to the 1996 Regulations, or any enactment of another Member State which implemented the 1994 Directive, is to be treated as a certificate issued or approval granted under the ATEX Directive.
(2) Regulation 2(6) has no effect until the entry into force of any amendment made to Annex II (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA Agreement by a Decision of the EEA Joint Committee, inserting a reference to the ATEX Directive into that Annex.
Consequential amendments, revocations and savings
72.—(1) The statutory provisions referred to in column 1 of Schedule 7 shall be amended to the extent specified in column 3 of that Schedule. In relation to a product placed on the market before the commencement date, the amendments in Schedule 7 do not apply.
(2) The statutory provisions referred to in column 1 of Schedule 8 shall be revoked to the extent specified in column 3 of that Schedule.
(3) The 1996 Regulations, the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999(16) and the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008(17) continue to apply, as if they had not been revoked, to a product placed on the market or put into service before the commencement date.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for the Economy on 15th June 2017
SCHEDULE 1ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS INTENDED FOR USE IN POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES (Annex II to the ATEX Directive)
1.—(1) Technological knowledge which can change rapidly, shall be taken into account as far as possible and be utilised immediately.
(2) For the devices referred to in regulation 3(2)(b), the essential health and safety requirements shall apply only in so far as they are necessary for the safe and reliable functioning and operation of those devices with respect to the risks of explosion.
2.—(1) Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres shall be designed from the point of view of integrated explosion safety.
(2) In this connection, the manufacturer shall take measures—
(a)above all, if possible, to prevent the formation of explosive atmospheres which may be produced or released by equipment and by protective systems themselves;
(b)to prevent the ignition of explosive atmospheres, taking into account the nature of every electrical and non-electrical source of ignition; and
(c)should an explosion nevertheless occur which could directly or indirectly endanger persons and, as the case may be, domestic animals or property, to halt the explosion immediately or to limit the range of explosion flames and explosion pressures to a sufficient level of safety, or both.
(3) Equipment and protective systems shall be designed and manufactured after due analysis of possible operating faults in order as far as possible to preclude dangerous situations.
(4) Any misuse which can reasonably be anticipated shall be taken into account.
3. Equipment and protective systems subject to special checking and maintenance conditions shall be designed and constructed with such conditions in mind.
4. Equipment and protective systems shall be so designed and constructed as to be capable of coping with actual or foreseeable surrounding area conditions.
5.—(1) All equipment and protective systems shall be marked legibly and indelibly with the following minimum particulars—
(a)name, registered trade name or registered trade mark, and address of the manufacturer;
(b)CE marking (see Annex II to RAMS);
(c)designation of series or type;
(d)batch or serial number, if any;
(e)year of construction;
(f)the specific marking of explosion protection
followed by the symbol of the equipment-group and category;
(g)for equipment-group II,
(i)the letter `G’ (concerning explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours or mists); or
(ii)the letter `D’ (concerning explosive atmospheres caused by dust); or
(iii)both the letter `G’ (concerning explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours or mists) and the letter `D’ (concerning explosive atmospheres caused by dust).
(2) Furthermore, where necessary, they shall also be marked with all information essential to their safe use.
6.—(1) All equipment and protective systems shall be accompanied by instructions, including at least the following particulars—
(a)a recapitulation of the information with which the equipment or protective system is marked, except for the batch or serial number (see paragraphs 5(1) and (2)), together with any appropriate additional information to facilitate maintenance (e.g. address of the repairer, etc.);
(b)instructions for safe—
(i)putting into service;
(ii)use;
(iii)assembling and dismantling;
(iv)maintenance (servicing and emergency repair);
(v)installation;
(vi)adjustment;
(c)where necessary, an indication of the danger areas in front of pressure-relief devices;
(d)where necessary, training instructions;
(e)details which allow a decision to be taken beyond any doubt as to whether an item of equipment in a specific category or a protective system can be used safely in the intended area under the expected operating conditions;
(f)electrical and pressure parameters, maximum surface temperatures and other limit values;
(g)where necessary, special conditions of use, including particulars of possible misuse which experience has shown might occur;
(h)where necessary, the essential characteristics of tools which may be fitted to the equipment or protective system.
(2) The instructions shall contain the drawings and diagrams necessary for the putting into service, maintenance, inspection, checking of correct operation and, where appropriate, repair of the equipment or protective system, together with all useful instructions, in particular with regard to safety.
(3) Literature describing the equipment or protective system shall not contradict the instructions with regard to safety aspects.
7.—(1) The materials used for the construction of equipment and protective systems shall not trigger off an explosion, taking into account foreseeable operational stresses.
(2) Within the limits of the operating conditions laid down by the manufacturer, it shall not be possible for a reaction to take place between the materials used and the constituents of the potentially explosive atmosphere which could impair explosion protection.
(3) Materials shall be so selected that predictable changes in their characteristics and their compatibility in combination with other materials will not lead to a reduction in the protection afforded; in particular, due account shall be taken of the material’s corrosion and wear resistance, electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, ageing resistance and the effects of temperature variations.
8.—(1) Equipment and protective systems shall be designed and constructed with due regard to technological knowledge of explosion protection so that they can be safely operated throughout their foreseeable lifetime.
(2) Components to be incorporated into or used as replacements in equipment and protective systems shall be so designed and constructed that they function safely for their intended purpose of explosion protection when they are installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
9.—(1) Equipment which may release flammable gases or dusts shall, wherever possible, employ enclosed structures only.
(2) If equipment contains openings or non-tight joints, these shall, as far as possible, be designed in such a way that releases of gases or dusts cannot give rise to explosive atmospheres outside the equipment.
(3) Points where materials are introduced or drawn off shall, as far as possible, be designed and equipped so as to limit releases of flammable materials during filling or draining.
11.—(1) Equipment and protective systems which may be exposed to certain types of external stresses shall be equipped, where necessary, with additional means of protection.
(2) Equipment shall withstand relevant stresses, without adverse effect on explosion protection.
13.—(1) Equipment and protective systems shall be so designed and manufactured as to—
(a)avoid physical injury or other harm which might be caused by direct or indirect contact;
(b)assure that surface temperatures of accessible parts or radiation which would cause a danger, are not produced;
(c)eliminate non-electrical dangers which are revealed by experience;
(d)assure that foreseeable conditions of overload do not give rise to dangerous situations.
(2) Where, for equipment and protective systems, the risks referred to in this paragraph (1) are wholly or partly covered by other European Union legislation, these Regulations do not apply or cease to apply in the case of such equipment and protective systems and of such risks upon application of that specific European Union legislation.
14. Dangerous overloading of equipment shall be prevented at the design stage by means of integrated measurement, regulation and control devices, such as over-current cut-off switches, temperature limiters, differential pressure switches, flowmeters, time-lag relays, overspeed monitors or similar types of monitoring devices, or both overspeed monitors and similar types of monitoring devices.
15. If parts which can ignite an explosive atmosphere are placed in an enclosure, measures shall be taken to ensure that the enclosure withstands the pressure developed during an internal explosion of an explosive mixture and prevents the transmission of the explosion to the explosive atmosphere surrounding the enclosure.
16. Potential ignition sources such as sparks, flames, electric arcs, high surface temperatures, acoustic energy, optical radiation, electromagnetic waves and other ignition sources shall not occur.
Hazards arising from static electricity
17. Electrostatic charges capable of resulting in dangerous discharges shall be prevented by means of appropriate measures.
20. Equipment and protective systems shall be so designed or fitted with integrated measuring, control and regulation devices that pressure compensations arising from them do not generate shock waves or compressions which may cause ignition.
21.—(1) Equipment and protective systems shall be so designed and constructed as to be capable of performing their intended function in full safety, even in changing environmental conditions and in the presence of extraneous voltages, humidity, vibrations, contamination and other external effects, taking into account the limits of the operating conditions established by the manufacturer.
(2) Equipment parts used shall be appropriate to the intended mechanical and thermal stresses and capable of withstanding attack by existing or foreseeable aggressive substances.
22.—(1) Safety devices shall function independently of any measurement or control devices, or both measurement and control devices required for operation.
(2) As far as possible, failure of a safety device shall be detected sufficiently rapidly by appropriate technical means to prevent dangerous situations from occurring.
(3) The fail-safe principle is to be applied in general.
(4) Safety-related switching shall in general directly actuate the relevant control devices without intermediate software command.
(5) In the event of a safety device failure, equipment or protective systems or both shall wherever possible, be secured.
(6) Emergency stop controls of safety devices shall, as far as possible, be fitted with restart lockouts. A new start command may take effect on normal operation only after the restart lockouts have been intentionally reset.
23. Where control and display units are used, they shall be designed in accordance with ergonomic principles in order to achieve the highest possible level of operating safety with regard to the risk of explosion.
24.—(1) In so far as they relate to equipment used in explosive atmospheres, devices with a measuring function shall be designed and constructed so that they can cope with foreseeable operating requirements and special conditions of use.
(2) Where necessary, it shall be possible to check the reading accuracy and serviceability of devices with a measuring function.
(3) The design of devices with a measuring function shall incorporate a safety factor which ensures that the alarm threshold lies far enough outside the explosion or ignition limits of the atmospheres to be registered, or both the explosion and ignition limits, taking into account, in particular, the operating conditions of the installation and possible aberrations in the measuring system.
25. In the design of software-controlled equipment, protective systems and safety devices, special account shall be taken of the risks arising from faults in the programme.
26.—(1) 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, provided that this does not compromise safety.
(2) When the emergency shutdown system is actuated, accumulated energy shall be dispersed as quickly and as safely as possible or isolated so that it no longer constitutes a hazard.
(3) Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply to electrochemically-stored energy.
27. Where equipment and protective systems can give rise to a spread of additional risks in the event of a power failure, it shall be possible to maintain them in a safe state of operation independently of the rest of the installation.
28.—(1) Equipment and protective systems shall be fitted with suitable cable and conduit entries.
(2) When equipment and protective systems are intended for use in combination with other equipment and protective systems, the interface shall be safe.
29. Where equipment or protective systems are fitted with detection or alarm devices for monitoring the occurrence of explosive atmospheres, the necessary instructions shall be provided to enable them to be provided at the appropriate places.
Requirements applicable to equipment in equipment-group I
30.—(1) Equipment shall be so designed and constructed that sources of ignition do not become active, even in the event of rare incidents relating to equipment.
(2) Equipment shall be equipped with means of protection such that—
(a)either, in the event of failure of one means of protection, at least an independent second means provides the requisite level of protection; or
(b)the requisite level of protection is ensured in the event of two faults occurring independently of each other.
(3) Where necessary, equipment shall be equipped with additional special means of protection.
(4) Equipment shall remain functional with an explosive atmosphere present.
(5) Where necessary, equipment shall be so constructed that no dust can penetrate it.
(6) The surface temperatures of equipment parts shall be kept clearly below the ignition temperature of the foreseeable air/dust mixtures in order to prevent the ignition of suspended dust.
(7) Equipment shall be so designed that the opening of equipment parts which may be sources of ignition is possible only under non-active or intrinsically safe conditions. Where it is not possible to render equipment non-active, the manufacturer shall affix a warning label to the opening part of the equipment.
(8) If necessary, equipment shall be fitted with appropriate additional interlocking systems.
31.—(1) Equipment shall be equipped with means of protection ensuring that sources of ignition do not become active during normal operation, even under more severe operating conditions, in particular those arising from rough handling and changing environmental conditions.
(2) The equipment shall be de-energised in the event of an explosive atmosphere.
(3) Equipment shall be so designed that the opening of equipment parts which may be sources of ignition is possible only under non-active conditions or via appropriate interlocking systems. Where it is not possible to render equipment non-active, the manufacturer shall affix a warning label to the opening part of the equipment.
(4) The requirements regarding explosion hazards arising from dust applicable to equipment category M 1 shall be applied.
Requirements applicable to equipment in category 1 of equipment-group II
32.—(1) Equipment shall be so designed and constructed that sources of ignition do not become active, even in event of rare incidents relating to equipment.
(2) It shall be equipped with means of protection such that—
(3) For equipment with surfaces which may heat up, measures shall be taken to ensure that the stated maximum surface temperatures are not exceeded even in the most unfavourable circumstances.
(4) Temperature rises caused by heat build-ups and chemical reactions shall also be taken into account.
(5) Equipment shall be so designed that the opening of equipment parts which might be sources of ignition is possible only under non-active or intrinsically safe conditions. Where it is not possible to render equipment non-active, the manufacturer shall affix a warning label to the opening part of the equipment.
(6) If necessary, equipment shall be fitted with appropriate additional interlocking systems.
33.—(1) Equipment shall be so designed and constructed that ignition of air and dust mixtures does not occur even in the event of rare incidents relating to equipment.
(3) Where necessary, equipment shall be so designed that dust can enter or escape from the equipment only at specifically designated points.
(4) The requirement in sub-paragraph (3) shall also be met by cable entries and connecting pieces.
(5) The surface temperatures of equipment parts shall be kept well below the ignition temperature of the foreseeable air and dust mixtures in order to prevent the ignition of suspended dust.
(6) With regard to the safe opening of equipment parts, sub-paragraph 32(5) applies.
Requirements applicable to equipment in category 2 of equipment-group II
34.—(1) Equipment shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent ignition sources arising, even in the event of frequently occurring disturbances or equipment operating faults, which normally have to be taken into account.
(2) Equipment parts shall be so designed and constructed that their stated surface temperatures are not exceeded, even in the case of risks arising from abnormal situations anticipated by the manufacturer.
(3) Equipment shall be so designed that the opening of equipment parts which might be sources of ignition is possible only under non-active conditions or via appropriate interlocking systems. Where it is not possible to render equipment non-active, the manufacturer shall affix a warning label to the opening part of the equipment.
35.—(1) Equipment shall be designed and constructed so that ignition of air and dust mixtures is prevented, even in the event of frequently occurring disturbances or equipment operating faults which normally have to be taken into account.
(3) With regard to protection against dust, sub-paragraph 33(3) applies.
(4) With regard to the safe opening of equipment parts, sub-paragraph 34(3) applies.
38.—(1) Protective systems shall be dimensioned in such a way as to reduce the effects of an explosion to a sufficient level of safety.
(2) Protective systems shall be designed and capable of being positioned in such a way that explosions are prevented from spreading through dangerous chain reactions or flashover and incipient explosions do not become detonations.
(3) In the event of a power failure, protective systems shall retain their capacity to function for a period sufficient to avoid a dangerous situation.
(4) Protective systems shall not fail due to outside interference.
39.—(1) With regard to the characteristics of materials, the maximum pressure and temperature to be taken into consideration at the planning stage are the expected pressure during an explosion occurring under extreme operating conditions and the anticipated heating effect of the flame.
(2) Protective systems designed to resist or contain explosions shall be capable of withstanding the shock wave produced without losing system integrity.
(3) Accessories connected to protective systems shall be capable of withstanding the expected maximum explosion pressure without losing their capacity to function.
(4) The reactions caused by pressure in peripheral equipment and connected pipe-work shall be taken into consideration in the planning and design of protective systems.
40. If it is likely that stresses on protective systems will exceed their structural strength, provision shall be made in the design for suitable pressure-relief devices which do not endanger persons in the vicinity.
41. Explosion suppression systems shall be so planned and designed that they react to an incipient explosion at the earliest possible stage in the event of an incident and counteract it to best effect, with due regard to the maximum rate of pressure increase and the maximum explosion pressure.
42. Decoupling systems intended to disconnect specific equipment as swiftly as possible in the event of incipient explosions by means of appropriate devices shall be planned and designed so as to remain proof against the transmission of internal ignition and to retain their mechanical strength under operating conditions.
43. Protective systems shall be capable of being integrated into a circuit with a suitable alarm threshold so that, if necessary, there is cessation of product feed and output and shutdown of equipment parts which can no longer function safely.
SCHEDULE 2NOTIFIED BODY REQUIREMENTS
1. A conformity assessment body shall be established in Northern Ireland or in Great Britain and have legal personality.
2. A conformity assessment body shall be a third party body independent of the organisation or the product it assesses.
5. A conformity assessment body, its top level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment activities shall not be directly involved in the design, manufacture or construction, the marketing, installation, use or maintenance of the products, or represent the parties engaged in those activities.
6. A conformity assessment body, its top level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment activities shall not engage in activity that may conflict with their independence of judgment or integrity in relation to conformity assessment activities for which they are notified (including consultancy services).
7. A conformity assessment body shall ensure that the activities of its subsidiaries or subcontractors do not affect the confidentiality, objectivity or impartiality of their conformity assessment activities.
8. A conformity assessment body and its personnel shall carry out the conformity assessment activities with the highest degree of professional integrity and the requisite technical competence in the specific field and shall be free from all pressures and inducements, particularly financial, which might influence their judgment or the results of their conformity assessment activities, especially as regards persons or groups of persons who have an interest in the results of those activities.
9. A conformity assessment body shall be capable of carrying out all of the conformity assessment activities for which it has been, or is to be, notified, whether those activities are carried out by the conformity assessment body itself or on its behalf and under its responsibility.
10. A conformity assessment body shall have—
(b)descriptions of procedures in accordance with which conformity assessment activities are to be carried out, ensuring the transparency of and the ability to reproduce those procedures, and have appropriate policies and procedures in place that distinguish between tasks it carries out as a notified body and other activities;
(c)procedures for the performance of conformity assessment activities which take due account of the size of an undertaking, the sector in which it operates, its structure, the degree of complexity of the product technology in question and the mass or serial nature of the process.
11. A conformity assessment body shall have the means necessary to perform the technical and administrative tasks connected with the conformity assessment activities in an appropriate manner and shall have access to the necessary equipment or facilities to enable it to perform those activities.
12. The personnel responsible for carrying out conformity assessment activities shall have—
(c)appropriate knowledge and understanding of the essential health and safety requirements, of the applicable harmonised standards and of the ATEX Directive and of these Regulations;
13. A conformity assessment body shall be able to demonstrate the impartiality of its top level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment activities.
14. The remuneration of the top level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment activities shall not depend on the number of assessments carried out or on the results of those assessments.
16. A conformity assessment body shall ensure that its personnel observe professional secrecy with regard to all information obtained in carrying out their tasks in accordance with these Regulations and that proprietary rights are protected.
17. Paragraph 16 does not prevent the personnel from providing information to the Executive pursuant to these Regulations or under any enactment.
SCHEDULE 4ENFORCEMENT POWERS OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND UNDER THE 1978 ORDER
1. For the purposes of enforcing these Regulations, the following Articles of the 1978 Order apply subject to the modifications in paragraph 2—
(j)Article 29 (Obtaining of information);
(q)Article 38 (Evidence); and
(r)Article 39 (Power of court to order cause of offence to be remedied and, in certain cases, forfeiture).
Regulation 40(b)
SCHEDULE 6EU DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY (No. XXXX)
2. Name and address of manufacturer and, where applicable, the authorised representative:
7. Where applicable, the notified body (name, number) performed (description of intervention) and issued the certificate:
Provision of Use at Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 S.R. 1999 No. 305(18)
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 S.R. 2003 No. 152(19) In paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 for “Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996” substitute “Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017”
Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 S.R. 1996 No. 247(20) The whole Regulations
Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 S.R. 1999 No. 125(21) The whole Regulations
Electrical Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres (Certification) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 S.R. 2000 No. 85(22) The whole Regulations
Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 S.R. 2008 No. 422(23) The whole Regulations
1. These Regulations transpose Directive 2014/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (recast) (OJ L 96, 29.3.2014, p.309) (“the Directive”).
2. The Directive repeals and replaces Directive 94/9/EC of the European Parliament and of 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 (OJ L 100, 19.4.1994, p.1) which was implemented in Northern Ireland by the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R. 1996 No. 247) (as amended) (“the 1996 Regulations”). These Regulations revoke and replace the 1996 Regulations.
3. Regulation 3 defines a “product” for use within potentially explosive atmospheres or for incorporation into equipment and protective systems. Regulation 4 provides an exception, allowing the use of a product which is not in conformity with Part 2, for the purposes of trade fairs, exhibitions and demonstrations.
4. Part 2 sets out the obligations of economic operators. Regulations 5 to 17 set out the obligations specific to manufacturers. These obligations include ensuring that a product has been designed and manufactured in accordance with the essential health and safety requirements set out in Schedule 1, taking action where products are not in conformity, having a relevant conformity assessment procedure carried out, affixing the CE marking, obligations to retain technical documentation, appointment of authorised representatives and product requirements.
5. Regulations 18 to 27 set out the obligations that are specific to importers. These obligations include ensuring that importers are not placing on the market products which are not in conformity with the essential health and safety requirements and taking action where they are not, checking that the manufacturer has carried out a relevant conformity assessment procedure and labelled the products correctly, ensuring storage and transport conditions do not jeopardise conformity with essential health and safety requirements and product monitoring obligations.
6. Regulations 28 to 33 set out the obligations that are specific to distributors. These obligations include acting with due care to ensure that the product is in conformity with Part 2 and taking action where it is not, checking that the product bears the CE marking, ensuring storage and transport conditions do not jeopardise conformity with essential health and safety requirements and checking that the products are labelled correctly.
7. Regulations 35 to 37 set out the obligations that manufacturers, importers and distributors have. These obligations include prohibitions on the improper use of the CE marking and a requirement to translate the declaration of conformity into the language required by the Member States within which it is made available.
8. Part 3 sets out provisions concerning the conformity assessment procedure, declarations of conformity and CE marking.
9. Part 4 sets out provisions concerning the bodies which carry out conformity assessment procedures.
10. Part 5 sets out provisions for market surveillance and enforcement. Regulation 51 identifies the market surveillance authority which has an obligation to enforce the Regulations in respect of the products. Regulation 53 and Schedules 4 and 5 provide for the enforcement powers which the enforcing authorities are to have. Regulation 61 provides for the contravention of provisions to be an offence. Regulation 62 sets out the penalties that are to apply for offences.
11. Part 6 sets out transitional provisions and consequential amendments. The 1996 Regulations will continue to apply to any products which are in conformity and placed on the market prior to the 10th July 2017.
12. A transposition note and assessment of the impact that these Regulations will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector are available from the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast, BT6 9FR and are also published with the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside these Regulations at www.legislation.gov.uk.
13. In Great Britain the corresponding Regulations are the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107).
O.J. L 399, 30.12.1989, p. 18
S. R. 2008 No. 422