QandA on electrical equipment certification

Electrical Equipment Certification Service (EECS) will close by July 2003, leading to speculation about the continuing validity of certificates and use of the BASEEFA/MECS mark

Since the announcement that Electrical Equipment Certification Service (EECS) will close by July 2003, there has been much speculation about the continuing validity of EECS certificates after 2003, liability for those certificates and the continuing use of the BASEEFA/MECS name and mark.

The questions reproduced below are representative of those asked of Sira Test and Certification recently.

Q: What is the process for transferring product certificates to another notified body? You should write to EECS requesting that technical files be transferred to the notified body of your choice.

The following information should be included: The serial numbers of the certificates to be transferred.

The name of the notified body to which you require the product certificates to be transferred.

The names of any companies for which Trade Agent registration has been issued by EECS, and which you wish to retain.

Where applicable, the name of the body that will be responsible for your ATEX Quality Assurance Notification.

EECS will transfer the technical files directly to the chosen notified body.

EECS will not pass them to you.

Liability for the work contained in the original file remains with EECS and the Health and Safety Executive.

Liability for any variations or new work is that of the new body undertaking the work.

Raw evaluation data (eg laboratory notebooks, raw test data etc) will not be provided by EECS to manufacturers or notified bodies.

Q: Can the new notified body issue a variation to an existing EECS EC type-examination certificate after 30 June 2003? Yes, once the certificate has been transferred from the new notified body.

Q: My product has the following marking: BAS01ATEX1234.

Can I sell my product legally in Europe after 30 June 2003? Yes, provided that the conformity assessment procedures relating to the production phase are adequately covered.

EECS does not intend to withdraw EC type-examination certificates after 30 June 2003.

Q: My EECS Quality Assurance Notification covering production of the above product expires in June 2004.

Is it still valid after EECS closes? No.

Q: How do I transfer my Quality Assurance Notification to another body? You should request transfer at the same time as you ask for the technical files to be transferred.

You should ask EECS to send audit reports and other documentation to your chosen notified body.

Q: My product marking includes the following: BAS01ATEX1234, 0600.

Will I have to have new labels made up after 30 June 2003? The four-digit number after the CE marking must correspond to the notified body involved in the production phase.

For example, if the manufacturer obtains a Quality Assurance Notification from Sira, the number must be changed to 0518.

BAS01ATEX1234 may be retained.

If certificates are transferred to Sira, the name or mark 'Sira' must appear on the product marking.

The situation regarding the Tudor Crown will not be addressed by HSE until autumn 2002.

Q: If I need to change my product marking, how will I be compensated for the costs I incur? There will be no compensatory payments made by HSE.

Q: If I do nothing now (ie, I don't transfer my EECS certificates to another notified body) and I require a variation to my certificate after 30 June 2003, who do I contact? Contact HSE - files will be retained by HSE for a period of years, yet to be determined.

Q: Can I transfer my certificate No BAS Ex98D1234 to a body appointed under directive 94/9/EC but not appointed under directive 76/117/EEC? Yes, providing that a UK notified body is used for the transfer.

Q: I have a UKAS accredited 'Certificate of Assurance' to IEC 79 issued by EECS.

I display the UKAS mark on the certified product.

Can I continue to mark the product with the UKAS logo and sell the product (outside Europe) after 30 June 2003? Only if the product certificate is 'transferred' to another UKAS accredited certification body.

Q: I have paid in advance for my EECS licence/notification.

Will I get a refund if I transfer to another notified body now? Yes.

There will be a refund of the balance owing at the time of transfer.

Q: I have a trade agent registration agreement with another company.

Can this be transferred from EECS to the new notified body or should I apply for a new trade agent registration through the new notified body? Trade agent agreements do not transfer automatically.

You need to notify EECS of the names of any companies for which Trade Agent registration has been issued by EECS, and which you wish to retain.

Q: I have an EECS 'repair licence'.

How do I transfer this to another body? The EECS repair licence scheme will be terminated when EECS closes.

Since this is a voluntary scheme there is no regulatory requirement to maintain it.

However, if there is sufficient interest, Sira will operate a similar scheme.

Sira Test and Certification is a notified body offering electrical equipment certification to customers across the UK and Europe, with its specialist Hazardous Area Centre based in Chester.

From this location, Sira offers certification of explosion protected equipment and systems.

For manufacturers holding an EECS certificate who would like further information on how Sira can advise and assist in transferring certificates, or for further information about the electrical equipment services, please contact Sira directly (links at top of this page).

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