Explosion Protection

Latvia Adopts Amendments to ATEX, Electrical Safety and Pressure Equipment Rules

Latvia has adopted Cabinet amendments updating national ATEX, electrical safety and pressure equipment regulations, with the key changes applying from 30 May 2026. These measures strengthen the framework for conformity assessment and market surveillance—especially for explosive-atmosphere equipment designated as crisis-relevant goods—so operators and notified bodies should review their procedures ahead of any future EU internal market emergency.

22 May 2026, 18:52vestnesis.lvLatvia

Great Britain: OPSS Proposes Amendments to Designated Standards for Machinery, PPE and Explosive Atmospheres Equipment

In May 2026, the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards proposed amendments to the designated standards lists for machinery, personal protective equipment and equipment for explosive atmospheres, with the related notices of publication scheduled for early June 2026. Manufacturers and importers supplying these products into Great Britain should review the draft notices and consider any objections within the 28-day window, as the finalised standards will shape how they demonstrate conformity with GB product safety law going forward.

15 May 2026, 13:41gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Great Britain Proposes Amended Designated Standard For Overfill Prevention Devices In Explosive Atmospheres (Notice 0138/26)

The UK Department for Business and Trade has proposed to designate EN 13616-1:2025 as the Great Britain standard for overfill prevention devices in explosive atmospheres from mid-June 2026, while phasing out EN 13616-1:2016 by 5 October 2027, subject to any objections. Manufacturers of ATEX equipment and fuel storage installations should prepare to align designs, conformity assessment and documentation with the 2025 edition and plan for the loss of presumption of conformity under the 2016 standard after the 2027 withdrawal date.

15 May 2026, 13:40assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Great Britain: DBT Issues Proposal 0138/26 To Update ATEX Designated Standard EN 13616-1

The UK Department for Business and Trade has issued proposal 0138/26 to designate EN 13616-1:2025 for overfill prevention devices under the Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, with the updated notice scheduled for 12 June 2026 and the 2016 edition due for removal on 5 October 2027. Businesses relying on EN 13616-1 to demonstrate conformity should plan to shift testing, certification, and documentation to the 2025 standard ahead of the October 2027 removal date to maintain presumption of conformity.

15 May 2026, 13:40assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Romania Proposes Emergency Conformity Procedures for Machinery and ATEX Equipment

Romania is consulting on a draft Government Decision to amend its machinery and ATEX frameworks (HG 1029/2008 and HG 245/2016) to transpose Directive (EU) 2024/2749 and introduce emergency conformity assessment and market-surveillance procedures for crisis-relevant products from around 30 May 2026. For machinery and ATEX manufacturers, importers, and operators, this sets up a fast-track but more tightly controlled pathway for placing designated crisis goods on the market during internal market emergencies, while leaving normal obligations unchanged but signalling the need to prepare for future crisis designations.

27 Apr 2026, 18:40ces.roRomania

Ukraine Ministry of Economy Order No. 4945 Updates National Standards List for ATEX Equipment Technical Regulation

In April 2026, the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy adopted Order No. 4945 to update the list of national standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity with the Technical Regulation on equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Suppliers and certifiers of explosion-protected equipment into Ukraine should check which standards have been added or replaced in this list and adjust conformity assessment files, declarations, and certificates to remain aligned with the updated regulatory framework.

21 Apr 2026, 15:27me.gov.uaUkraine

Netherlands Council of State Orders New Decision on Exam Institution in Explosives Safety Registration Scheme

The Netherlands Council of State has ruled that the exclusive appointment of a single examination body for explosives safety registration is a challengeable administrative act, requiring a new government decision by mid-May 2026. This decision facilitates market competition for safety certification services and establishes a legal precedent for challenging the monopolistic appointment of private entities in regulatory safety frameworks.

5 Apr 2026, 05:43uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

EU Parliament ENVI Committee Drafts Opinion Amending Product Directives (Including RoHS) on Digitalisation and Common Specifications

The European Parliament is advancing amendments to digitalize compliance documentation and harmonize technical specifications across thirteen major product directives including RoHS and ATEX. This transition toward digital conformity data will require manufacturers to modernize product information systems and prepare for standardized digital labeling across multiple regulatory frameworks.

1 Apr 2026, 14:15eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Switzerland Updates OSPEX Technical Standards for Equipment and Protection Systems in Explosive Atmospheres

Switzerland updated its designated technical standards for equipment in explosive atmospheres on March 25, 2026, to align with the latest EU ATEX harmonised standards. Manufacturers must update technical documentation and conformity assessments to these latest standards to maintain the presumption of compliance and ensure uninterrupted market access.

27 Mar 2026, 07:55fedlex.data.admin.chSwitzerland

Great Britain Updates ATEX Designated Standards for Offshore Cranes and Explosive Atmospheres Equipment

The UK has updated the designated standards for ATEX equipment, mandating a transition to EN 13852-1:2025 for offshore cranes. Businesses must update technical documentation and conformity assessments by July 2027 to ensure uninterrupted market access and compliance in Great Britain.

19 Mar 2026, 19:29assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Council 4-Column Table On Proposal To Digitalise Product Directives And Align Common Specifications

EU authorities are advancing a major horizontal update to digitalize conformity documentation and technical specifications across thirteen core product directives including RoHS and ATEX. This transition to electronic information requirements necessitates a strategic overhaul of digital labeling systems and technical documentation management to ensure future market access.

14 Mar 2026, 07:46eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

UNECE Working Paper Requests Clarification of ADR 9.3.7.3 Wiring Rules for EX/II and EX/III Vehicles

UNECE will review proposed clarifications to ADR wiring standards for explosive-carrying vehicles in May 2026 to resolve conflicting safety interpretations. Final decisions may necessitate design modifications or updated inspection protocols for EX/II and EX/III vehicle load compartments to ensure transport compliance.

11 Mar 2026, 16:30docs.un.orgGlobal

Germany Introduces Single Market Emergency Procedures In Product Safety Ordinances (BGBl I 2026 No. 54)

Germany has integrated EU-aligned emergency procedures into national ordinances for machinery, electronics, and pressure equipment, effective May 30, 2026. Manufacturers should prepare for prioritized conformity assessments and potential fast-track market access routes during future EU-declared single market crises.

9 Mar 2026, 18:35recht.bund.deGermany

European Parliament Written Question On Industrial Safety And EU Law After Trikala 'Violanta' Factory Explosion

The European Commission is facing calls for stricter oversight of industrial safety enforcement following a fatal factory explosion in Greece in early 2026. Operators should prepare for more rigorous national inspections and potential EU-level policy shifts toward greater transparency in Seveso III and ATEX compliance.

9 Mar 2026, 15:18europarl.europa.euEuropean UnionGreece

British Columbia Workers’ Compensation Board Adopts Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (B.C. Reg. 296/97) Amendments on Combustible Dusts and Respirator Standards

British Columbia has adopted occupational health and safety amendments updating respirator standards by April 2026 and mandating a new combustible dust management regime by January 2027. Industrial operators must formalize dust risk assessments and implement rigorous control measures for ignition and accumulation to ensure compliance and mitigate explosion risks.

6 Mar 2026, 11:17bclaws.gov.bc.caCanada

Japan: MIC Amends Hazardous Materials Technical Standards And FDMA Clarifies Conditional Automatic Control Systems At Self-Service Fuel Stations

Japan has established mandatory technical and operational standards for AI-driven monitoring systems at self-service fuel stations. Facility operators must transition to these formalized safety requirements within one year to maintain compliance while utilizing automated surveillance technologies.

5 Mar 2026, 09:30fdma.go.jpJapan

Switzerland Designates Technical Standards for Gas Appliances Under Product Safety Act and Gas Appliances Ordinance

Switzerland has updated the designated technical standards for gas appliances under the Federal Act on Product Safety as of March 2026. Manufacturers must verify product alignment with these revised standards to maintain compliance and ensure uninterrupted market access for gas-powered equipment.

2 Mar 2026, 11:31fedlex.data.admin.chSwitzerland

Austria: Labour Inspectorate Sets Inspection Priorities for 2026

Austria has announced its 2026 labour inspection priorities, focusing on green energy sectors, cleaning services, and working time compliance. Affected businesses should audit occupational health and safety protocols regarding hazardous agents and machinery to mitigate heightened enforcement risks in these priority areas.

26 Feb 2026, 20:08arbeitsinspektion.gv.atAustria

Illinois Pollution Control Board Proposes Rules On Management Of Used EV Batteries

Illinois has proposed comprehensive safety and storage standards for used EV batteries to mitigate fire and environmental risks at storage and recycling facilities. Impacted businesses must prepare for stringent facility design requirements, emergency planning mandates, and financial assurance obligations for end-of-life battery management.

25 Feb 2026, 18:55ilsos.govUnited States

European Parliament IMCO Report on Proposal To Amend RoHS and Product Directives for Digitalisation and Common Specifications

The European Parliament IMCO Committee has advanced a proposal to modernize 13 product directives, including RoHS and ATEX, through digitalization and common technical specifications. Manufacturers should prepare for a transition toward digital compliance documentation and standardized technical fallbacks that will streamline conformity assessments across the EU single market.

18 Feb 2026, 19:50eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union