IECEx 03-2-2023 PDF

Full title and description

IECEx 03-2:2023 — IECEx Certified Service Facilities Scheme – Part 2: Selection of Ex equipment and design of Ex installations — Rules of Procedure. This document sets out the rules, certificate and audit report formats, and procedure by which service facilities performing selection of explosion-protected (Ex) equipment and design of Ex installations may be assessed and certified within the IECEx Certified Service Facilities Scheme (Edition 2.0, 2023).

Abstract

IECEx 03-2 provides the Rules of Procedure for the IECEx Certified Service Facilities Scheme when applied to services that select Ex equipment and design Ex installations. It defines the governance, application and assessment processes, the contents and layout of IECEx service facility certificates and facilities audit reports (FARs), surveillance and change procedures, and requirements for acceptance of certification bodies (ExCBs) operating under the scheme. The document is intended to ensure consistent, auditable practice that aligns with IECEx Basic Rules and relevant IEC technical standards.

General information

• Status: Active (current edition in force).
• Publication date: 11 December 2023 (Edition 2.0 published 2023).
• Publisher: IEC / IECEx (ExSFC committee; International Electrotechnical Commission).
• ICS / categories: Relevant to explosive-atmosphere standards and conformity assessment (commonly associated ICS: 29.260.20 — Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres; also linked to explosion-protection topics).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2023).
• Number of pages: 19 pages (text RLV PDF).

Scope

IECEx 03-2 supplements IECEx 03-0 and the IECEx Basic Rules by defining the specific rules of procedure for certification of service facilities that perform selection of Ex equipment and design of Ex installations intended for use in explosive atmospheres. It addresses certificate content and limits, the FAR, application and assessment steps, surveillance, handling of changes, and the route for acceptance of Ex Certification Bodies for this scheme.

Key topics and requirements

• Governance and relationship to IECEx Basic Rules and IECEx 03-0 (scheme alignment and normative references).
• Requirements for IECEx service facility certificates and facilities audit reports (FAR) — mandatory content, layout and issuance rules.
• Application, examination and assessment process for service facilities, including documentation and QMS review.
• Competence and personnel requirements (references to IEC 60079-14 and IECEx units of competence, e.g., Ex 009).
• Surveillance, re-assessment, suspension/cancellation and notification procedures.
• Acceptance criteria and procedures for Ex Certification Bodies (ExCBs) to issue IECEx service facility certificates under Part 2.
• Confidentiality, complaints, appeals and public information requirements related to the scheme.

Typical use and users

This Rules of Procedure is used by: certification bodies (ExCBs) seeking acceptance to operate the IECEx service facility scheme for selection/design services; service facilities (design consultancies and engineering groups) seeking IECEx certification for selection of Ex equipment and design of Ex installations; regulators and asset owners who require or recognize IECEx certification for Ex design services; and auditors/assessors implementing scheme assessments. It supports consistent assessment and international recognition of competence for Ex design and equipment selection.

Related standards

IECEx 03-2 is closely linked to the IECEx Basic Rules (IEC CA 01 and IECEx 01-S) and IECEx 03-0 (General Rules). It references and relies on technical IEC standards for Ex installations, notably IEC 60079-14 (Selection and erection/design of electrical installations in explosive atmospheres) and related parts of the IEC 60079 series, as well as conformity-assessment standards and ISO/IEC management system and accreditation standards (for example ISO/IEC 17021‑1, ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO 9001).

Keywords

IECEx, Ex service facility, Rules of Procedure, selection of Ex equipment, design of Ex installations, facilities audit report, IEC 60079-14, certification body (ExCB), surveillance, conformity assessment, hazardous area, explosion protection.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IECEx 03-2:2023 is the IECEx Rules of Procedure (Part 2, Edition 2.0) that govern certification of service facilities performing selection of explosion-protected equipment and design of Ex installations under the IECEx Certified Service Facilities Scheme.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers scheme governance, certificate and FAR content and format, application and assessment processes, surveillance and re-assessment, confidentiality, complaints/appeals, and acceptance of certification bodies for the Part 2 activities (selection and design). It also sets how the scheme interfaces with technical standards such as IEC 60079-14.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: IECEx certification bodies (ExCBs), service facilities (design houses and consultancies), assessors/auditors, regulators, owners/operators of hazardous installations, and other stakeholders involved in Ex equipment selection and hazardous-area electrical design.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — Edition 2.0 was published in 2023 and is listed as the active edition on the IECEx Rules pages (publication date recorded 11 December 2023). Users should check IECEx for any later amendments or operational documents.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 2 of the IECEx Certified Service Facilities Scheme (IECEx 03 series). Related parts include IECEx 03-0 (general rules), IECEx 03-3 (Ex installation and initial inspection), IECEx 03-4 (inspection and maintenance), and IECEx 03-5 (repair, overhaul and reclamation).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Selection of Ex equipment, design of Ex installations, IECEx service facility certificate, facilities audit report (FAR), ExCB acceptance, IEC 60079-14, conformity assessment, hazardous area design, IECEx 03-2.