ATEX

ATEX certification (often incorrectly written as “AREX”) is a European safety standard designed for equipment used in potentially explosive environments. The name ATEX comes from the French ATmosphères EXplosibles and indicates that the equipment is designed so that it cannot initiate an explosion by a spark, heat, or electrical discharge. We have an ATEX headlamp from Fenix in stock on our e-shop, making it proven equipment for firefighters, electricians, pyrotechnicians, and miners. ATEX certification is therefore a key safety standard for equipment used in explosive environments. It guarantees that the device cannot cause an explosion even under extreme conditions. Together with standards such as IECEx or UL, it forms the foundation of safety in industry, emergency services, and the military.

Safety certification of the Fenix WH35RE ATEX headlamp

What does an ATEX “explosive environment” mean?

An explosive environment occurs where there is:

flammable gas (pipelines, refineries),
flammable vapors (chemical industry),
flammable dust (mills, silos, woodworking facilities).

Under these conditions, ordinary electronics can cause an explosion – ATEX-certified equipment is designed to minimize any risk of ignition.

ATEX zones

ATEX divides environments according to risk level:

Zone 0 / 20: an explosive atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods.
Zone 1 / 21: an explosive atmosphere may occur occasionally.
Zone 2 / 22: an explosive atmosphere occurs rarely and for a short time.

Other similar certifications

In addition to ATEX, there are other international standards:

IECEx – international equivalent of ATEX (worldwide use).
NEC / UL (Class I, II, III) – U.S. standards for explosive environments.
CSA – Canadian certification.
INMETRO – Brazil.

Who needs ATEX-certified equipment?

ATEX-certified equipment is essential especially for:

firefighters and rescue services,
chemical and petrochemical industries,
gas and energy operations,
mining industry,
military and police units during operations in hazardous environments.

Without ATEX certification, using a standard flashlight under these conditions is extremely dangerous.

Why are ATEX flashlights and headlamps special?

they minimize surface temperature,
they do not produce sparks,
they have protected electronics and batteries,
they resist impacts and chemical environments.

Fenix and ATEX certification

The Fenix brand is among manufacturers that offer headlamps and flashlights with full ATEX certification. These models are designed for professional use in explosive environments and comply with strict European and international standards.

Fenix WH35RE ATEX headlamp