Parker Fluid Control Division, purveyors of the Skinner(TM), Gold Ring(TM), R Series, Lucifer and Scem lines of solenoid and process control valves, has announced that several of its coils designed for the European market have been certified under the new ATEX Directive 94/9/EC. The directive defines technical standards for products intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, and was made mandatory throughout the European Union on July 1, 2003.
Deriving its name from the French "ATmosphere EXplosible," the ATEX Directive requires that all products that could ignite a potentially explosive atmosphere be produced to specific requirements and under controlled conditions. The purpose of the directive is to ensure the safe usage of equipment performing under hazardous conditions and to provide a high level of protection for employees.
Parker Fluid Control Division was evaluated by an independent testing body to become certified in compliance with ATEX Directive 94/9/EC. Certification requires the approval of the applicant's entire quality management system to ISO-9001 standards. Additional stipulations address product testing, verification and associated record-keeping.
As an ATEX-compliant manufacturer, the company can sell its products anywhere in Europe without further requirements with respect to ignition risks. The company's ATEX-approved coils are identifiable by the CE marking, which stands for "Conformitee Europeenne," as well as markings to identify the hazardous atmosphere. Many of the company's coils are also marked for conformance to the CENELEC standard.
