New ISO/IEC 80079-34:2018
This is the second edition of ISO/IEC 80079-34:2018 – Explosive atmospheres — Part 34: Application of quality systems for ex product manufacture. It cancels and replaces the previous 2011 edition with a full technical revision. Manufacturers operating in hazardous environments must prioritize compliance with this updated standard to ensure safety and avoid disruptions in certifications like HazLoc. Staying aligned with evolving standards is critical for industries such as oil and gas, mining, and chemical processing.
All QAR’s (Quality Assessment Reports) and QAN’s (Quality Assurance Notifications) for IECEx and ATEX approvals – new and renewal assessments – will now be conducted in accordance to ISO/IEC 80079-34:2018. This harmonization ensures consistency with modern quality management practices, such as ISO 9001:2015. For manufacturers, this means streamlined audits and reduced administrative overhead. Learn more about quality system requirements in our guide to ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation.
The changes from the previous edition are minor, but the Clause numbering has changed to align with ISO 9001:2015, reflecting a risk-based approach to quality management. This alignment simplifies integration for companies already certified under ISO 9001.
The application of ISO/IEC 80079-34:2018 is intended to cover:
- Electrical equipment (IEC 60079-0, -1, -2, -5, -6, -7, -11, -13, -15, -18, -28, – 33)
- Non-electrical equipment (ISO 80079-36 and -37)
- Protective systems (ISO 16852)
- Safety devices (IEC 60079-29)
- Ex Components (IEC 60079-0, …)
- and their combinations as assembly of Ex equipment (IEC 60079-46)
Some definitions have been withdrawn because these words are already defined in IEC 60079-0 and not changed:
- Ex Component
- Ex Equipment
- Type of Protection
New definitions:
- 3.5 Ex Product Ex Equipment, protective system, safety device, Ex Component and their combination, as well as software and services
- 3.10 Technical documentation Adding of the “Formal Ignition hazard identification and assessment” for Non-electrical equipment conforms to ISO 80079-36. For authoritative details, refer to the IEC’s Official ISO/IEC 80079-34:2018 Documentation.
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