It has been more than 20 years since the first IECEx report or Certificate was issued and since those humble beginnings, IECEx has evolved into the “Global Standard”, accepted by industry and Governments when conducting testing and certification of Ex-related Equipment, Services and Competence in the many industries where flammable and combustible materials are extracted, processed, stored and used.

While formally endorsed in 2011 by the United Nations UNECE, via its “Common Regulatory Objective” publication, as world’s best practise and recommended model for regulating in the Ex areas, this endorsement has been re-enforced in 2019. 

This presentation will provide an update of the current IECEx Certification Tools that facilitate world trade in Ex equipment, assemblies and Services and how IECEx can also be used to bridge between differing national regulations through its “Fast Track” provisions. The newly launched and re-engineered IECEx “On-Line Certificate System” will also be demonstrated.

Prof. Dr. Thorsten Arnhold 

From 2014 to 2019, Prof. Dr. Thorsten Arnhold was the Chairman of the IECEx Conformity Assessment System. Before this, he was the Head of the German Delegation at the IECEx Management Committee for 7 years. In 2020, after the completion of his second and last term as Chairman of IECEx, he became the German member of the IEC Conformity Assessment Board (CAB).

Thorsten started his career as a Senior Quality Engineer at Commodore Computers. For the last 27 years he has been working for the German Manufacturer R. STAHL, an international market leading company specialising in safety technologies. His current position at R. STAHL is VP Technology. In this position, he is responsible for the research activities of the group, the development of new technologies and the coordination of the standardisation activities.

Chris Agius

Chris Agius is the International Executive Secretary with CEO operational responsibilities for the International IEC Conformity Assessment System for Ex equipment, IECEx and the IECQ. He has held the IECEx Executive Secretary position since the IECEx System began more than 20 years ago through to present day where IECEx has achieved formal endorsement by the United Nations via the UNECE.

Chris has a longstanding involvement in the development of National and International Standards and Certification systems and has held various key positions in the Standards Australia Group. He is a member of various International ISO CASCO Expert Working Groups dealing with International Standards on Conformity Assessment and a recipient of the prestigious “HazardEx Life-Time Achievement Award” for contributions to the industry.

For more information, visit: https://www.iecex.com/