China: New standard for equipment in explosive atmospheres

 

China has published a new version of the standard GB 3836.16-20xx Explosive atmospheres—Part 16: Specification of electrical installations inspection and maintenance.

The new version, contrary to the previous one, is a mandatory standard (the previous one was a voluntary GB/T standard).

The standard specifies the general requirements for electrical installations inspection and maintenance in hazardous area caused by explosive atmospheres.  It applies to where there can be a risk due to the presence of explosive gas or dust mixtures with air or combustible dust layers under normal atmospheric conditions.

The contents of the following documents constitute essential provisions of this document through normative references in the text. Among them, for dated reference documents, only the version corresponding to the date applies to this document; for undated reference documents, the latest version (including all amendments) applies to this document:

• GB/T 3836.1 Explosive environment Part 1: General requirements for equipment
• GB/T 3836.13 Explosive environment Part 13: Repair, overhaul, repair and modification of equipment
• GB/T 3836.14 Explosive environment Part 14: Site classification Explosive gas environment
• GB 3836.15 Explosive Environment Part 15: Design, Selection and Installation Specifications for Electrical Devices
• GB/T 3836.35 Explosive Environment Part 35: Classification of Explosive Dust Environment Locations

The standard GB 3836.16-20xx Explosive atmospheres is a part of the CCC certification for Ex products.  As of October 1, 2020, CCC certification became obligatory in China for specific electrical explosion-proof (Ex) components. This certification falls under a distinct product category within CCC and is compulsory for the relevant Ex-products. Importation, sale, and operation of these electrical Ex-components in China are permitted only after successful completion of the CCC certification process. Any product subject to certification cannot be imported into China without obtaining the CCC certificate. Importing a product without certification but still bearing a CCC mark may lead to severe fines and legal action.

The CCC certification process is overseen and managed by the Chinese central authority CNCA (Certification and Accreditation Administration) in conjunction with SAMR (State Administration for Market Regulation). SITIIAS (Shanghai Inspection and Testing Institute of Instruments and Automation Systems), also known as NEPSI (National Supervision and Inspection Center for Explosion Protection and Safety of Instrumentation), is a crucial authority responsible for CCC-Ex certification.

To find out more about product compliance in China and the CCC certification, please contact the Product Compliance Institute directly.