1. IECEx A Global Solution for the Ex Field Past and Present - Shanghai
10 Years of Operation and Beyond
A Global Solution for the
Ex Field
Past and Present - Shanghai
6 September 2006
Chris Agius
IECEx Secretariat
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2. IECEx – Part of the IEC
Scheme of the IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission
IEC formed in 1906
Head Office in Geneva
One of the International Standardisation Bodies recognised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), others include ISO, ITU
IEC Charter to promote International Standardisation in the Electrotechnical Sectors.
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3. The World of Standards International: Regional:
International Electrotechnical Commission
International Organization for Standardization
International Telecommunication Union
International Organization of Legal Metrology
Regional:
Europe (e.g. CEN, CENELEC, ETSI)
National bodies/committees
Very obvious but shows the structure of standardization in the world today.
International
Regional
National – very often an NSB (ISO), very often an NSB (ISO) and a National Committee (IEC).
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4. What is the IEC?
Founded in 1906 to promote international co-operation on all questions of standardization and related matters in the field of electrotechnology
Range of activity covered by IEC is enormous.
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5. Achieving the Mission To achieve this mission, the IEC
Through its National Committee members,
Through cooperative agreements, and
Directly
Encourages national use of IEC International Standards and IEC Conformity Assessment Schemes
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6. Functioning National level IEC National Committee Members
Requirements
Work items
Standards output
Conformity Assessment
Expert resources
National level
Industry
Government
Academia
Users
Etc.
Technical committees
Management committees
IEC National
Committee Members
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7. The IEC Family IEC Family: 135 countries 66 Members
69 Countries in Affiliate Country Programme
The IEC family comprises member national committees and affiliates.
The affiliate programme is relatively new – only having been established in It brings a new grouping of developing nations into the IEC Family.
IEC Members
Affiliates
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8. CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT STANDARDS MANAGEMENT BOARD
IEC Organigram
IEC COUNCIL
National Committees
COUNCIL BOARD
CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
BOARD
TECHNICAL
COMMITTEES
IECEE
SECTOR
BOARDS
IECQ
IECEx
ADVISORY
STANDARDS MANAGEMENT BOARD
standards work
CENTRAL
OFFICE
The Executive
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Officers
MANAGEMENT
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9. What is IECEx?
The single International IEC Scheme covering Certification to Standards that relate to Apparatus for Explosive Atmospheres, to provide an Internationally accepted means of demonstrating claimed compliance with International Standards
IECEx is a “Conformity Assessment Tool” providing confidence that Products and Services covered by an IECEx Certificate meet specified requirements.

10. IECEx Scheme - Services
Basic Rules IECEx 01
IECEx Certified Equipment Rules IECEx 02
IECEx Certified Service Facilities
Rules IECEx 03
A total Conformity Assessment Program that offers the Global Industry:
IECEx Test Report, ExTR
IECEx Quality Assessment Report, QAR
With ExTR + QAR achieved, an IECEx “On-Line” Certificate of Conformity, CoC
Assessment of Ex Repair and Overhaul Facilities that address:
Repair Facilities + Equipment + Systems
Competence of Repair Staff
An IECEx “On-Line” Certificate of Conformity, CoC dedicated to Ex Repair
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11. What is Ex??????????????
In Short:
Ex can be considered as a means of ensuring the safe use of equipment in areas where there is a potential for an explosive concentration of gases and vapours or combustible dusts to be present.
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12. Ex Equipment – Where ???
Ex equipment is frequently found in these locations:
Automotive refuelling stations or petrol stations
Oil refineries, rigs and processing plants
Chemical processing plants
Printing industries, paper and textiles
Hospital operating theatres
Aircraft refuelling and hangars
Surface coating industries
Oil and gas tankers, drilling ship and FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Off-Loading Vessels)
Underground coal mines
Sewerage treatment plants
Gas pipelines and distribution centres
Grain handling and storage
Woodworking areas
Sugar refineries
Metal surface grinding, especially aluminium dusts and particles.
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13. Ex Equipment – Where ???
IECEx
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14. Why Have IECEx?
To eliminate or significantly reduce:
Multiple/Re-Testing/Assessments
Delays in accessing markets
Obstacles that prevent access to new products and technology by smaller markets.
Un-Safe Practices + Lost Production (Down time)
Initial aim “The facilitation of International Trade in Ex Products, Systems and Services”, while maintaining acceptable levels of Safety
IECEx Vision:
“To be the Global Centre of Excellence in the Ex field”

15. IECEx Core Assessment Areas
Assessment of Ex Certification Bodies and Test Laboratories to gain acceptance as IECEx Bodies
Compliance to ISO/IEC Guides + Standards (re Guide 65, 17025, IECEx rules, Technical Guidance Docs
Technical capability – facility, personnel
Compliance with IECEx procedures
Assessment of Products and Services to prove compliance with IEC International Standards
IEC Standards
IECEx Quality System requirements
IECEx rules, including marking
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16. IECEx Scheme Documentation Hierarchy
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17. IECEx Operations Manual OD 009
Receive
Application 1
Conduct contract review 2
successful 3
Refer to applicant 3a
Develop test plan 4
Previously
tested 5
obtain samples
and conduct
test/assessment 6
Ensure
compliance with
Annex A 5a 5b 7
report to
applicant 7a
Compile ExTR 8
Review of ExTR by
ExCB 9 10
IECEx Test Report
(ExTR) may be
issued to applicant 11
Refer to
ExTL
10a
Prepare for IECEx Quality
Assessment 12
Quality audit
conducted within
last 12 months 13
Annex B
13a
Assess Quality
Documentation with
requirements of
IECEx OD/005 14 15
Conduct site audit
of manufacturer(s) 16
Compile QAR 17
Independent
Review of QAR 18 19
QAR may be
issued to client 20
Certification
review by ExCB 21 22
refer to ExTL or
ExCB personnel or
applicant as
appropriate
22a
Compile IECEx
Certificate of
Conformity (CoC) 23
Review CoC for errors 24 25
Issue IECEx Certificate
of Conformity 26
Commence surveillance
program 27 N Y Y Y N N N
13b N Y
successful N Y
15a Y
Corrective action N
by manufacturer Y
OD009 IECEx_OpsManual_Issued.doc
19a
refer to audit staff or
applicant as necessary N Y N Y Y N
11a
20a
Copy of ExTR cover sheet N
Copy of QAR details to
sheet to IECEx Secretary
IECEx Secretary Y
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Figure 1 - IECEx Scheme Operations Overview
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18. In the Beginning!!!
Prior to IECEx Manufacturers were subjected to differing testing /certification requirements when accessing multiple markets.
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19. Phase 1 of IECEx – Mandatory Acceptance
Thru a Single ExTL/ExCB assessment Process confidence has been achieved to enable mutual recognition of testing and assessment under IECEx – Fast Track to National Certification
REPEAT TESTING & ASSESSMENT
REMOVED
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20. Full IECEx Certification – On-Line
IECEx Single TL + CB assessments PLUS Single standardised Operational Rules + Industry / Regulatory Support Full IECEx Certification is now possible
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21. History of IECEx 1992 – Questionnaire to IEC National Committees
1996 – First meeting of the IECEx Management Committee (ExCC)
1997 – 1999 – First round of Peer assessments, development of operational rules and forms
1999 – Commence mutual acceptance of IECEx Test Reports (ExTRs), to fast-track national certification
2003 – IECEx internet based “On-Line” Certificates made available
2004 – Decision to expand Scope of IECEx operation to include Services
2005 – IECEx 03, Rules for Ex Repair Program Finalised
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22. Certificate of Conformity versus Test Report
What Information is being conveyed by a Test Report?
Who is the legal owner of the Test Report?
Should an End User have free access to a Test Report, how?
How long is a test report Valid, after its issue?.
Certificate of Conformity (third Party according to ISO/IEC Guide 67)
What Information is being conveyed by a Certificate?
Who is the legal owner of the Certificate?
Should an End User have free access to a Certificate, how?
How long is a Certificate Valid, after its issue?
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23. Meaning of an IECEx Certificate of Conformity (IECEx CoC)
Question:
What does an ExCB Certify when issuing an IECEx CoC?
Answer:
The manufacturer’s capability to consistantly produce the product/equipment, listed on the certificate to be in compliance with the standards also listed on the Certificate.
IECEx 02: 2003 Clause 5.1 Extract:
“The certificate will attest that the equipment’s design conforms to the relevant IEC standards and that the manufacturer is manufacturing the product under a quality system and associated quality plan(s), meeting the requirements of this Scheme and under the surveillance of an ExCB”.
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24. IECEx Quality Based Certification – Based on System No 5 of ISO/IEC Guide 67
Assessment and Test
Report
ExTR
Assessment of Product Samples (Type Testing)
IEC/TC 31 Product Standards
IECEx
Quality
Assessment Report
QAR
Assessment of Manufacturers Quality System
Based on ISO 9001/2000
Harmonised with ATEX –EN 13980 + =
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25. The “IECEx Way” for Ex Certification
ExCB
Country A
ExCB
Country B
ExCB
Country C
ExCB
Country D
Common Rules and Procedures adopted by ALL ExCBs and ExTLs
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26. Confidence The IECEx Product !!!!
What does IECEx offer the Market??????
End Users
Regulators
Confidence
Test + Cert. Bodies
Manufacturers
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27. IECEx Scheme – Managing Committee
Australia
Canada
China
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Italy
India
Japan
Korea, Republic of
Netherlands
Norway
New Zealand
Romania
Russian Federation
Singapore
Slovenia
South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States of America
Serbia & Montenegro
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28. Jul 2006: 28 IECEx Certifiers ExCBs
GERMANY:-
*PTB *EXAM/BVS *TUV Nord
HUNGARY
BKI
ITALY
* CESI
KOREA:-
*KOSHA
*KGS
NORWAY:-
*NEMKO
*DNV
RUSSIA:
NANIO-CCVE
SLOVENIA:-
SIQ
SWEDEN SP
SINGAPORE
PSB
UNITED KINGDOM:-
*ITS
*SIRA Cert
*Baseefa
UNITED STATES:-
*UL
*FM
NETHERLANDS –
KEMA
AUSTRALIA:-
*ITACS *SIMTARS *TestSafe
CANADA
*CSA International
CHINA
*CQM
DENMARK:-
*UL Int./ DEMKO A/S
FINLAND
VTT
FRANCE
*LCIE
*INERIS
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29. IECEx Meetings, Highlights
Highlights from some of the Recent IECEx Annual Committee Meetings and Seminars
Finalisation of introduction of the IECEx “On-Line” Certificate of Conformity System to provide electronic “On-Line” Ex Certificates, commenced August 2003
Expansion of IECEx into the assessment and Certification of Ex Service Facilities, now launching the IECEx Certified Service Facilities Program, IECEx 03
Continuous Improvement in IECEx processes and service delivery, e.g. introduction of new OD 021 – Operational Document for the guide to assessing Intrinsically Safe Equipment and Systems, Dec 2005
Increasing involvement in IECEx Management by Industry and Regulators
2004 Meetings = 10% of delegates from industry
2005 Meetings = 20% of delegates from industry
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30. Country Participation in IECEx
Options for Country
Participation in IECEx
As Member of the IECEx
Management Committee (ExMC) refer Basic Rules IECEx 01
As a USER of the IECEx
Services and Programs
Formal Membership that provides for the Ex industry of a Country to:
Have a say in the day to day Management of the IECEx + Voting rights
Establish Rules + Policies of the IECEx
Ability for Ex Test Cert. Bodies to apply
Access to ALL IECEx documentation
Others
Formal Membership encouraged BUT not required in order to:
Accept IECEx Certificates of Conformity as the acceptance criteria for accepting Ex products and Services within a country
Accept the credentials of IECEx Test and Certification. Bodies
No need to develop a national Ex Certification framework
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31. IECEx On-going work
WG1 - Revision of Scheme Rules, IECEx 02
WG2 - Preparation + Maintenance of Technical Guidance Docs.
WG3 - Evaluation of Assessors
WG4 - Technical Reference for Assessments of ExCBs and ExTLs
WG5- Quality System Requirements
WG6- Review of ExCB, ExTLs Assessment Process.
WG7- Introduction of IECEx Mark
WG8- Regulatory Recognition
WG9- Ex Proficiency Testing
WG10- Introduction of Ex Repair and Overhaul, IECEx 03 + ODs
WG11- Certificates issued to Distributors
WG12- Investigation of IECEx Expansion into Competency Assess.
Board of Appeal appointed
IECEx Internet site:
ExTAG - Common Approach to Testing/Cert. + ExTAG WGs

32. IECEx Mark of Conformity
International Ex Conformity Mark
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33. IEC Conformity Assessment Schemes
International Electrotechnical Commission
Form in 1906, Mission = International Standardisation in the Electrotechnology fields
IECEE – CB and FCS Scheme
IECQ – Components
IECEx- Explosive Atmospheres
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34. IECEx Management IEC Conformity Assessment Board
IECEx Management Committee
(ExMC)
IECEx Executive
(IECEx Officers)
IECEx Testing
and Assessment Group
(ExTAG)
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35. IECEx Scheme - Programs
Basic Rules IECEx 01
IECEx Certified Equipment
Rules IECEx 02
IECEx Certified Service Facilities Rules IECEx 03 (in draft)
Other Future Service Offerings
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36. IECEx Certified Equipment Program (Rules of Procedure IECEx 02)
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37. Online IECEx certificates
Certificates are created by the ExCB “Live” on the IECEx Website via a secure area
ExCBs can only issue IECEx Certificates to Standards they have permission for, i.e. within their scope of acceptance
Complete certificate for public view and download.
Search capabilities act as a “buyers guide of Ex products”.
Controls and safe guards built in to:
Control generation of CoC Number
ExCBs can only list Standards on CoCs that they are accepted for
Others
Available anywhere there is access to the Internet.
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38. No. of IECEx Equipment Certificates
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39. Fundamental Disciplines of Ex
Area Classification
Equipment Conformance
Installation Conformance
Maintenance, Repair + Overhaul
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40. IECEx Scheme - Programs
Basic Rules IECEx 01
IECEx Certified Equipment
Rules IECEx 02
IECEx Certified Service Facilities Rules IECEx 03
Other Future Service Offerings
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41. IECEx Certified Service Facilities
New IECEx Program
IECEx Certified Service Facilities
Rules IECEx 03
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42. IECEx Certified Service Facilities
IECEx Certification, based on the principles and elements of an International Type 5 System as detailed in ISO/IEC Guide 67
Facility Assessment Report (FAR)
IECEx
Certificate of
Conformity
Assessment of Technical Aspects, including Equipment and facilities
IEC IECEx Quality System Requirements
Assessment of Competence of Ex Repair Staff
- Ex Techniques,
- working knowledge of Standards and Certification,
- Competence in Repair, inc metrology skills + =
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43. Users of the New IECEx Program
Owners/Managers of Industrial Sites where Ex Equipment is used – Confidence that after repair, Ex equipment continue to comply with original certification
Ex Equipment manufacturers – to be confident that authorised Repairers meet IEC and IECEx requirements and are under surveillance by IECEx Bodies
Regulators – to be confident safety is maintained by having Ex equipment repaired by a facility with
The right Tools/Machinery/Test & Measuring equipment
Sound Operational systems, including records
Competent Staff
Ex Equipment Repairers – to prove to their customers that they meet IEC and IECEx requirements
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44. Options for Ex Manufacturers
May decide 1 of the following:-
Option 1 - Apply to Become an IECEx Certified Service Facility themselves
Option 2 - Use the IECEx Certified Service Facility Scheme by requiring their Service Agents to gain IECEx Certification, as a first step to becoming one of their authorised Service Agent
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45. Option 1 - Benefits
Helps to ensure that the manufacturer maintains credible Ex Repair capabilities
May assist in defence against liability claims should a motor repaired by the manufacturer causes an explosion or fire
Ensures consistency in the industry
Provides end user (customer) with confidence when buying Ex equipment from the manufacturer.
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46. Option 2 - Benefits
Reduces burden on Ex manufacturer’s technical resources
Helps to provide protection against liability claims should a motor repaired by an authorised agent causes an explosion or fire
Ensures consistency in the industry
Provides end user (customer) with confidence when buying Ex equipment.
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47. Tour of the IECEx Official Website
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48. Tour of the IECEx Website
List of Approved IECEx Certification Bodies
Publications
Members Area: Committee Documents, Directory etc
On-Line Certificate System
View Original Certificates – Electronic Master Originals
Search capabilities
Certificate Status
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49. Why Should I be confident when purchasing Ex products and services covered by an IECEx Certificate of Conformity?
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50. IECEx Assessment of ExCBs + ExTLs
Completed TGDs
+ Check Lists
Site Assessment Audit Plan, Reports + Notes, eg Follow Up Actions
Original Application
Information
+ Forms
Original Application
Information
+ Forms
Surveillance Schedule and Information
Retained by IECEx Secretariat
Available to IECEx Member Bodies
Summary Voting Report
Available to ALL IECEx Member Bodies
Surveillance information and reporting by IECEx Secretariat
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51. Surveillance of ExCBs and ExTLs
Where National accreditation found to comply with IECEx requirements
6 monthly check by Secretariat on status and scope of National accreditation
Internal auditing by ExCB and ExTL
Notification of any changes, eg re-location, ownership, loss of key personnel etc
5 Year re-assessments
Where Body does not have acceptable national accreditation
Annual surveillance visits by an IECEx Assessor
Notification of any change eg re-location, ownership, loss of key personnel etc
Where ExTL has national accred. But ExCB does not – annual surveillance shall be conducted
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52. Surveillance of the IECEx System
Dedicated Technical Secretariat with the role of Scheme CEO
Secretariat reports to IECEx Chairman and Officers between meetings and to full IECEx Management Committee (ALL Member Countries) at Annual meetings
IECEx Constitution rules require the full Management Committee (ALL Member Countries) to meet at least annual
Annual meetings of Technical Committee, ExTAG
Constant monitoring of the Scheme, including industry inquiries by the IECEx Secretariat and Officers.
IECEx Chairman and Secretariat report TWICE per year to the IEC Conformity Assessment Board (12 Member IEC Board) at meetings in June and October
Any IECEx Member Country may request a change or improvement.
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53. Surveillance of the IECEx System
Review of ALL issued IECEx Certificates
Introduction of Random sampling of issued ExTRs and QARs, introduced
Formal Feedback/Complaints Register and system
A Genuine willingness by IECEx Officers, Members and Experts associated with IECEx, including WGs, to establish and maintain an high Standard of Excellence.
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54. IECEx Scheme - Services
Basic Rules IECEx 01
IECEx Certified Equipment
Rules IECEx 02
IECEx Certified Service Facilities Rules IECEx 03
Other Future Service Offerings
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55. Elements to ensure safe use of Ex equipment
Technical Compliance
Elements of the Ex Field
Elec Product Manufacture
Elec Product Repair
Mech Product Manufacture
Mech Product Repair
Installation
Inspection
Area Classification
Personnel Competency
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56. What does IECEx Cover to date??
Elec Product Manufacture
Covered by IECEx
Elec Product Manufacture
Covered by IECEx
Not Currently Covered by IECEx
Elec Product Repair –
Mech Prod Man
Installation
Mech Product Repair
Personnel Competency
Area Classification
Inspection
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57. Energy Demands
End
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58. Confidence via Standardisation
Technical Requirements
Conformity Assessment
Participation in IECEx provides real benefits
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59. IECEx Confidence New Ex Equipment Current Offering
Ex Service Facilities New Offering
Competent Personnel Possible Offering
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60. IECEx Continual strive to be the Global Centre of Excellence in the Ex Field
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