Notice for Manufacturers of battery operated intrinsically safe equipment

Notice for Manufacturers of battery operated intrinsically safe equipment – updating to the new edition of the intrinsic safety standard

Battery Testing for IEC 60079-11:2023 Edition 7
Following the publication of the latest edition of the international standard for equipment protection by intrinsic safety “i” (IEC 60079-11:2023 Edition 7), manufacturers of products with certification to this standard will need to begin to prepare updates to be able to demonstrate compliance with the latest technical knowledge.

One of the changes that will affect all battery-powered products is the introduction of the requirement to test cells at -20°C, or their minimum service temperature if this is above -20°C. Previously, testing was required to be conducted between the ambient of the laboratory and the specified maximum ambient temperature. The latest change means that unless testing has been completed at the lower ambient, then retesting of the existing cells or batteries is necessary[1].

[1] The cell/battery manufacturer may well have changed the composition of the cell/battery without notifying the certified product manufacturer or the conformity assessment body (Notified Body, for example) associated with the certification of the product and therefore, any cell/battery testing will need to be completed in full (testing at all three temperatures (minimum service temperature, laboratory ambient, and maximum service temperature) will be required), partial testing will not be a true representation of the cell/battery tested as the composition on the latest cell/battery may differ to the composition of the previously tested cell/battery.

How we can help
We have prepared our laboratory ahead of the publication of this latest edition and have already been conducting testing to the latest edition for several months for manufacturers. We can test all primary and secondary cell and battery types currently in use in intrinsically safe products and have considerable experience in testing the full range of types available on the market today.

We can conduct testing now and issue the results in an IECEx ExTR that can be used either for updating certification with us OR towards updates to certification issued by any other IECEx Certification Body (ExCB).

Why conduct this testing now
Prioritising battery testing, which is one of the most notable changes to the standard, will enable manufacturers to address the requirement as a priority. Our laboratory currently has good capacity in this area and can conduct the battery testing quickly for you in accordance with these new requirements.

Notes for different certifications
ATEX and UKEX – For products being placed on the markets of the European Union (ATEX and CE marking) and the United Kingdom (UKEX and UKCA marking), it will be possible for manufacturers to conduct their own review of the changes, and if none of the changes applies to their product and results in the product not being compliant with the latest technical knowledge, update their declaration of conformity to state that no changes in the “state of the art” apply to the product (note that the edition of the standard on the declaration of conformity is to remain as the edition that the applicable certification references).

If an update to the latest edition of standards is required, then an update to the certification would be required first.

IECEx – IECEx certification will remain valid so long as the related QAR is updated. It is not a requirement to update the certification to the latest edition of standards but, as IECEx certification is often used as a mechanism to gain regional certification, it may be necessary to update the IECEx certification to support any regional certification updates.

USA and Canada – The US and Canadian version of the IEC standards will be published in the coming months (typically within 18 months of publication of the IEC Standard). It will only be possible to gain certification updates after this. However, preparation for updates will be possible.

Japan – For Japanese certification for explosive atmospheres that is based on IECEx ExTRs, it will be necessary to update the IECEx certification to the latest editions prior to applying to update the Japanese certification.

Enquiring
If you wish to enquire, please provide the following information to sales@cmlex.com and the team will be in contact to advise further:

• Contact details
• Cell type/s to test (with datasheet where possible)
• Service temperature range