Standards Update

After an inordinate delay, a correct and up-to-date list of harmonised standards for the ATEX Directive have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. A delighted Ron Sinclair celebrates the consolidation of various hazardous area standards It is about two years since the last time the Cenelec standards for electrical equipment were correctly listed, although CEN have managed to keep their half of the list up-to-date by several intermediate issues over that period. There was one intermediate issue which listed some additional Cenelec standards in March this year, but many standards which should have been in the list were omitted and some of the ‘cessation of conformity’ information was incorrectly given. However,...

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DNV is developing a new standard for transportation of CO₂ in pipelines in conjunction with major oil industry partners. Specific issues related to CO₂ in dense, high pressure phase are not covered in existing pipeline standards or regulations. “As carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects could become an important mitigation option related to climate change, this broad cooperation is an important step forward,” said DNV project manager Frøydis Eldevik . Relating to CO₂ pipeline transmission stakeholders today demand a robust, traceable and transparent approach that gives credibility to the proper management of the risks and uncertainties. Unfortunately, the current pipeline standards do not take...

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Regulations that set the framework for businesses wishing to put batteries on the UK market from 26 September 2008 were published today after being made by Department for Business Minister, Malcolm Wicks. The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 set out the technical requirements with which producers of batteries, and battery-powered appliances, must comply from 26 September 2008. The Regulations aim to facilitate the free movement of compliant batteries across the EU; protect the environment by reducing the levels of heavy metals they are allowed to contain; and introduce a labelling regime in preparation for coming "producer responsibility" legislation designed to achieve high collection and recycling...

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Hazardous area equipment manufacturers are beginning to adopt equipment protection levels as described in IEC 60079-0:2007. Ron Sinclair explains how the users will soon see examples of the new forms of marking Manufacturers are getting to grips with IEC 60079-0:2007 even though it has not yet appeared in its EN version. This means that purchasers and users of equipment, which include Equipment Protection Levels (EPLs) will be seeing a change in which their equipment is marked. The EPL system has been with us for a couple of years, particularly for equipment meeting the requirements of IEC/EN 60079-26 intended for installation in Zone 0. However, the new Part 0 of the standard makes a minor alteration to the format given in the...

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