Standards relating to explosive atmospheres evolve to keep pace with new materials, technologies and methods of manufacturing electrical equipment. One of the latest developments is the publication of IEC 60079-0:2026, the new edition of the international standard setting out the general requirements for equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres.
The 2026 edition introduces changes in areas such as product marking, non-metallic materials, electrostatic charges and equipment documentation.
However, before looking at these changes in detail, one important point should be clarified: IEC 60079-0:2026 is not yet a harmonised European standard. It is a new edition within the IEC framework, but it does not represent an immediate change to the rules governing the placing of ATEX equipment on the European market.
And, of course, this does not mean that existing ATEX luminaires are no longer valid or that installed equipment needs to be replaced.
What is IEC 60079-0 and why is it so important for ATEX equipment?
IEC 60079 is a family of international standards covering equipment and systems used in explosive atmospheres.
Within this series, IEC 60079-0 provides the common basis. It defines the general requirements relating to the construction, testing and marking of Ex equipment. Other parts of the series then establish specific requirements according to the type of protection used.
Although the new edition is not specifically focused on lighting, it is highly relevant to manufacturers of ATEX luminaires. Materials, operating temperatures, enclosures, connections and marking all form part of the design and certification of this type of equipment.
The main changes in IEC 60079-0:2026 for ATEX equipment manufacturers
- Ambient temperature becomes more prominent in equipment marking
One of the changes introduced in the new edition concerns the indication of the ambient temperature range on the equipment marking. Although this may appear to be a significant change, Airfal already includes this information in the marking of its ATEX luminaires.
Ambient temperature remains an essential parameter in any case. A cold storage facility, a chemical plant or an area located close to a thermal process may operate under very different conditions. Users must therefore be able to clearly identify the temperature range within which a luminaire can operate safely.
- Greater attention to non-metallic materials and electrostatic charges
Another area reviewed by the standard concerns electrostatic charges. ATEX luminaires may include diffusers, enclosures, coatings or other components made from non-metallic materials. Under certain conditions, these materials can accumulate static electricity, and a discharge could become an ignition source in a potentially explosive atmosphere. The 2026 edition introduces stricter requirements in this area, particularly for certain equipment intended for Zone 0.
Airfal products already comply with requirements relating to electrostatic charges, so this change is not currently expected to have a significant impact on our luminaires. As the new edition progresses towards implementation within the European framework, Notified Bodies will determine whether any of the new requirements make it necessary to update a specific certification, although in principle this should not affect our products.
- Clearer documentation and special conditions of use
The new edition also places greater emphasis on the information accompanying Ex equipment and on the conditions under which it can be used safely. Whenever a product requires specific precautions, installation restrictions or environmental conditions, these must be clearly stated in its documentation.
Again, this does not represent a change in Airfal’s current approach. Special instructions and conditions of use are already included in the manuals for our ATEX luminaires and form part of the periodic reviews and audits carried out by INERIS. The update therefore reinforces a principle that is already fundamental for any ATEX product: designing and certifying the equipment correctly is not enough. The user must also understand how and under what conditions it can be installed and operated.
- Enclosures, connections and IP rating: what could change?
IEC 60079-0:2026 also includes amendments and clarifications concerning connections, enclosures and the maintenance of certain protection characteristics of the equipment. Under the current scenario, these changes are not expected to have a direct impact on Airfal luminaires either.
One aspect that will need to be monitored is how these requirements are interpreted when the new edition is incorporated into the European framework. For example, there could be an impact if, at some point, users were no longer allowed to select certain external components themselves and these had to be specifically defined within the product certification.
Do installed ATEX luminaires need to be replaced?
No. This is probably the most important message we want to convey.
The publication of IEC 60079-0:2026 does not make currently certified ATEX luminaires obsolete, nor does it require correctly installed equipment to be replaced. It also does not mean that every manufacturer must automatically modify or recertify all of its products. Each change will need to be assessed individually and, where appropriate, the certification bodies involved will determine whether any update is required.
IEC 60079-0:2026 is not yet a harmonised European standard and therefore does not currently provide presumption of conformity with Directive 2014/34/EU.
We are therefore not facing a sudden change in the rules of the European market, but rather a technical evolution that manufacturers and certification bodies need to understand and monitor.
