Do pumps, gearboxes and fans need ATEX certification?

Yes, in most cases. Since ATEX came into force, the EU rules cover non-electrical equipment as well as electrical: a pump, gearbox or fan intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere falls under Directive 2014/34/EU if it has its own potential ignition source, typically hot surfaces or friction and impact sparks from moving parts. It then needs an ignition hazard assessment, the conformity assessment procedure for its category, and CE and Ex marking, normally Ex h under ISO 80079-36.

Short answer

• The directive defines equipment as machines and devices that can cause an explosion through their own potential sources of ignition. Moving machinery usually qualifies.
• The European Commission's ATEX Guidelines name gears, fans, pumps, compressors, mixers and brakes as typical non-electrical equipment with potential ignition sources.
• Items that move so slowly or take so little power that they cannot create an ignition source, even in a rare malfunction, are not ATEX equipment and must not be ATEX marked; the manufacturer assesses this.
• Conformity routes for non-electrical equipment: category 3, internal production control; category 2, internal production control plus lodging the technical documentation with a notified body; category 1, EU-type examination followed by production quality assurance or product verification. Unit verification is possible for all.
• A pump with an ATEX motor is either two pieces of equipment or one assembly, depending on whether combining them adds ignition hazards.

Where the ignition sources are

A mechanical machine has no wiring to spark, but it converts power into motion, and part of that power can end up as heat or sparks:

The ignition hazard assessment of ISO 80079-36 goes through each potential source and asks whether it can become effective in normal operation, in expected malfunctions or in rare malfunctions. That decides which measures are needed for the intended equipment protection level: constructional safety "c", control of ignition sources "b" (for example temperature or level sensors) or liquid immersion "k" from ISO 80079-37. The equipment is then marked Ex h with the group, temperature class and EPL, for example Ex h IIB T4 Gb.

Inside and outside: a pump can need two categories

For pumps and fans that handle flammable fluids, the process side can be hazardous too. The ATEX Guidelines give the example of a pump for flammable liquid that normally runs full but may occasionally contain an explosive atmosphere: if nothing prevents dry running, the inside may be Zone 1, and with Zone 2 outside the pump must meet category 2 inside and category 3 outside. The two connections to the process do not need to be in the same zone.

So the buyer should state both the external zone and the conditions inside: what is pumped, whether dry running or vapour lock is possible, and how they are prevented. A supplier can only assess what it is told.

Pump plus motor: equipment or assembly?

The ATEX Guidelines use the pump and electric motor as their main example of an assembly:

1. One item. A canned (split tube) motor pump is one piece of equipment, assessed as a whole under the procedure for electrical equipment. A fan whose impeller is part of the motor is treated the same way.
2. Two items. If the pump and motor can be assessed separately and combining them adds no ignition hazard, each keeps its own EU declaration of conformity.
3. Assembly, no new hazard. The supplier may issue one declaration for the whole unit after an ignition risk assessment of the combination, taking full responsibility as its manufacturer.
4. Assembly with a new hazard, or with a part that does not conform: the assembly goes through the full procedure for its category.

Couplings, guards, belt drives and baseplates are where combination hazards usually arise, so they belong in the assessment.

Existing machines and machines bought "without ATEX"

The directive applies when equipment is placed on the market or put into service for use in hazardous areas. For machines already on site, the employer's duty under Directive 1999/92/EC applies: equipment in each zone must be of a suitable category unless the explosion protection document, based on a risk assessment, states otherwise. UK guidance (HSE L138) allows equipment already in use before July 2003 to continue only if the employer has assessed it and shows the risks are eliminated or reduced so far as reasonably practicable. A new standard pump bought without ATEX marking for use in a classified area is not a compliant shortcut.

Common mistakes

• "It has no electrics, so ATEX does not apply." Since 2003 mechanical equipment with its own ignition sources is in scope.
• Specifying only the external zone and forgetting the inside of the pump, fan or compressor.
• Buying an ATEX motor and a standard pump and assuming the unit is compliant.
• Running outside the certified limits, such as speed, temperature of the pumped liquid or lubrication intervals, which are often specific conditions of use.

Related on excodex

• Non-electrical equipment in hazardous areas: Ex h, constructional safety c, control of ignition sources b and liquid immersion k
• Ignition sources in hazardous areas: the 13 ignition sources and how to control them
• What is an ignition hazard assessment for non-electrical equipment?
• Do manual valves and pipes need ATEX certification?
• Standards spaces: ISO 80079-36, ISO 80079-37, ATEX 2014/34/EU, EN 1127-1

Standards and further reading

• Directive 2014/34/EU, equipment and protective systems for potentially explosive atmospheres; Article 2 definitions: legislation.gov.uk
• Directive 2014/34/EU, Article 13, conformity assessment procedures by category: legislation.gov.uk
• European Commission, ATEX 2014/34/EU Guidelines, 6th edition (January 2026), non-electrical equipment, assemblies and the pump and motor example: single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu
• ISO 80079-36, non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres: basic method and requirements (2016).
• ISO 80079-37, non-electrical types of protection c, b and k (2016).
• EN 1127-1, explosion prevention and protection: basic concepts and methodology, including the ignition sources.
• Directive 1999/92/EC, Annex II, Part B, selection of equipment: legislation.gov.uk
• HSE L138, DSEAR Approved Code of Practice and guidance: hse.gov.uk

This article is general technical information prepared by the excodex editorial team. It does not replace the applicable standards, the equipment certificates and instructions, national regulations or the assessment of a competent person.