October 2004
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION SCHEME FOR CERTIFICATION TO STANDARDS FOR EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES (IECEx SCHEME)
Ex Management Committee, ExMC
ExTAG – IECEx Testing and Assessment Group
TITLE: List of Decisions from the October 2004 Brdo meeting of the IECEx Management Committee (ExMC)
Introduction
This document provides a List of discussions from the ExMC meeting held 13 and 14 October 2004, in Brdo Slovenia, as confirmed, in part, during the ExMC meeting and reviewed by the IECEx Chairman and Officers.
This list of decisions is issued for the information of ExMC and ExTAG Members and will form the basis for a detailed set of minutes that will be issued shortly.
Decisions 2004/01 to 2004/18 Represent the decisions from Day 1 of the meeting while Decisions 2004/19 to 2004/28 are those recorded from Day 2 of the meeting.
While the Day 1 decisions were confirmed during Day 2 of the ExMC meeting, Day 2 Decisions have been reviewed by the IECEx Chairman and Officers.
The IECEx Chairman and Officers express their appreciation to all members for their attendance and active participation that has ensured a most productive meeting.
Chris Agius
IECEx Secretary
Address:IECEx Secretariat
SAI Building
286 Sussex Street
Sydney 2000
Australia / Tel: +61 2 8206 6940
Fax: +61 2 8206 6272
Email:
Internet:
The Chairman declared the meeting opened at 9.35 a.m. welcoming delegates and invited guests.
Mr Likar welcomed delegates on behalf of SIQ, the host for the 2004 IECEx meetings, informing delegates of host arrangements
Chairman gave a presentation of his vision for IECEx noting the challenges and demands on the Scheme by the international Ex industry it serves.
Agenda Item 2 - Approval of the Agenda
Decision 2004/01
Meeting approved the Draft Agenda (ExMC/207B) with Item 5 “IECEx Membership” brought forward to Item 2.
Agenda Item 5 - ExMC Member Bodies
Decision 2004/02
In noting positive voting responses from ExMC Members concerning the Voting documents, listed below, ExMC formally approved the acceptance of FM Approvals of the US, as an ExCB and ExTL:
- ExMC/189/DV
- ExMC/190/DV
Decision 2004/03
In noting to positive voting responses from ExMC Members concerning the Voting documents, listed below, ExMC formally approved the acceptance of NANIO-CCVE of Russia, as an ExCB and ExTL:
- ExMC/191/DV
- ExMC/192/DV
Decision 2004/04
In noting to positive voting responses from ExMC Members concerning the Voting document, listed below, ExMC formally approved the acceptance of The Czech Republic, as an IECEx Member Body:
- ExMC/214/DV
The meeting welcomed these new members to the IECEx Scheme.
Agenda Item 3 – Minutes of previous meeting
Decision 2004/05
In noting a report from the IECEx Secretary the meeting agreed to accept the Report on actions arising from the Budapest 2003 Meeting.
Agenda Item 4 – Report on CAB Matters
Decision 2004/06
In order to familiarise ExMC Members with the CAB’s activities, responsibilities and authority the meeting agreed to include an information session on CAB during the next ExMC Meeting.
Agenda Item 4.2.1 – CAB WG 7 IEC Mark of Conformity
Decision 2004/07
The meeting reinforced its support for the introduction of an IECEx Mark of Conformity, at the earliest possible stage, based on industry demand also noting the support from all manufacturing representatives present.
Agenda Item 4.2.2 – CAB/ILAC Cooperation
Decision 2004/08
The decision of the ExMC is to support the MOU CAB/489A/DV Draft MOU between IEC and ILAC, noting that ExMC as the IECEx Management Committee retain full authority for determining the acceptance criteria and final approval of all IECEx Bodies, as reflected in IECEx 01 and IECEx 02. The ExMC will report to the CAB that it is appreciative of CAB’s work in this area.
Agenda Item 6.2 – WG2 Report (IECEx TGDs)
Decision 2004/09
In noting the appointment of Mr Cleare as the new convenor, ExMC wishes to extend their thanks to Mr Peter Bennett for his work as the former Convenor of ExMC Working Group 2. His involvement from the early days of the scheme has been much appreciated. Also the ExMC extends its thanks to EEMUA, Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association, for their continued stewardship of Working Group 2.
Decision 2004/10
The Meeting endorsed the Secretary’s proposal to make the Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) available to National Accreditation Bodies as part of the IEC/ILAC co-operation.
Decision 2004/11
The meeting agreed to include the following new members to WG2-
Mr Jim Munro (Chairman of Panel of Assessors),
Mr Dave Smith (CA),
Mr Alain Czyz (FR),
Mr Alan Ogden (GB)
Agenda Item 7.1 – Report from WG10
Decision 2004/12
The Meeting accepted the report from WG10 as reflected in ExMC/193/R.
Agenda Item 7.2 – Proposed new rules for inclusion of repair services, draft IECEx 03
Decision 2004/13
In noting the work of WG10, the meeting agreed to allow a further two month period for comment, closing 31st December 2004. A revised draft is then to be prepared by WG10 in light of comments with this revised draft to be circulated to ExMC for approval or further comment, depending on the nature of the comments received.
Agenda Item 7.3 – Proposed new Operational Documents, concerning inclusion of service facilities
Decision 2004/14
In line with decision 2004/13, the meeting agreed to allow a further period for comment of two months, closing 31st December 2004 in relation to the following documents, with WG10 to prepare further revised versions to incorporate the comments received.
- Draft OD 013 – Draft Operations manual
- Draft OD 014 – Draft Quality management System Requirements for Service Facilities
- Draft OD 015 – Draft Technical Requirements for Repair and Overhaul of Ex Equipment (aligned with Revision of IEC 60079-19)
- Draft OD 016 – Draft Assessment procedures for the acceptance of ExCBs to issue IECEx Certificates of Conformity to Ex Service Facilities providing Repair and Overhaul Services.
Agenda item 8 – Revision of IECEx 01 Draft Revision
Decision 2004/15
In consideration of the GB comment to amend the title of Draft Rev IECEx 01, the meeting accepted the final proposal from RU to reword the title to read:
“IEC Scheme for certification to standards relating to equipment for use in explosive atmospheres (IECEx Scheme) Basic Rules”
Decision 2004/16
The meeting agreed to request CAB approval of the draft revision of IECEx 01 incorporating the editorial changes contained in the WG1+WG5 Report, ExMC(Brdo/WG1+WG5)02 and Decision 2004/15.
Agenda Item 9- Revision of IECEx 02– IECEx SCHEME, RULES OF PROCEDURE
Decision 2004/17
In discussing content of the CoC the meeting agreed that drawing numbers appear on the ExTR and is not necessary to appear on the Certificate of Conformity.
Decision 2004/18
The Meeting agreed that when documents are revised a WORD document highlighting all changes (additions and deletions) be made available.
Agenda item 10.1 Report from the Brdo ExTAG Meeting
Decision 2004/19
ExMC agreed to the following ExTAG recommendations with the officers to prioritise and ExMC Secretariat to manage–
- Recommendation that the ExMC give high priority to the marketing and promotion of the IECEx Scheme.
- The ExMC to look towards an IT solution to assist in the compilation and issuing of ExTRs with IEC 60079-0 and IEC 60079-7 to be used in the pilot project.
- Guidance for testing at other locations to be in included in the revision of the TGDs
- Acceptance of ExTAG recommendations to form a new ExMC Working Group, WG11, to deal with preparing an Operational Document (OD) concerning Certificates of Conformity issued to distributors of Ex equipment-
Members of the Working Group as follows-
Mr Ron Sinclair (Convenor)
Mr Thorn (GB)
Mr Karl Heinz Schwedt (DE)
Mr Gerold Klotz-Engmann (DE)
Mr Michel Brenon (FR)
Mr Joe Gryn (CA)
Mr Evans Massey (US)
- Expansion of the IECEx Bulletin to include National Differences of Quality Requirements.
Agenda Item 10.2Appointment of ExTAG Secretary.
Decision 2004/20
ExMC approved ExTAG recommendation for the re-appointment of Mr Brenon for a further 5-year term as ExTAG Secretary.
Agenda Item 14 Promotion of the Scheme
Decision 2004/21
ExMC agreed to the Canadian (CA) proposal to conduct a survey of member countries to determine the level of acceptance of the IECEx by their national regulators. The results of the survey will then be reviewed at the next annual ExMC Meeting. At that time the decision will be taken as to the amount of information that will be made available to the public.
Agenda Item 15.1 2003 Accounts
Decision 2004/22
ExMC accept the accounts for 2003 and thank Mr Berger for his ongoing efforts as the IECEx Treasurer, particularly his assistance to the IECEx Secretariat in fiscal management. The meeting thanked Mr Berger for his excellent work.
Agenda Item 15.2IECEx Scheme Participation Fees
Decision 2004/23
In reviewing the scheme participation fees the ExMC agreed upon the following-
- to retain application fees for ExCBs and ExTLs as detailed in ExMC/204/CD
- surcharges for manufacturers from non IECEx member countries. ExMC agreed to replace the existing 2000 CHF surcharge with the following-
- CHF 500 for Certificate of Conformity CoC (No ExTR fee)
- CHF 300 for ExTR or QAR (where a CoC is not issued)
- Where both ExTR + QAR are issued and no CoC then Surcharge is CHF 300
these new surcharges apply to applications received by ExCBs as from 2005/01/01
Agenda Item 15.3Certificate Fee
Decision 2004/24
In the interest of securing sufficient levels of funding for the long-term operation of the IECEx Scheme and its services the ExMC agreed to apply a one off certificate fee. This fee shall be introduced for applications received as from 2005/01/01 and is set at the following levels-
- for new CoCs CHF 250
- changes to existing CoCs CHF 125
In general the ExCB will collect CoC fees with an invoice being issued, on an annual basis (to minimise bank fees), to enable payment to the IEC accounts at IEC Central Office. ExMC agreed that an alternative system for collection of fees at the national level may be proposed to the secretariat by a member body.
Agenda Item 15.4Proposed Budget 2005
Decision 2004/25
Given the above decision, 2004/24, the ExMC agreed to propose, for CAB approval, an Interim Budget as outlined in ExMC/206A/CD, updated to include the new IECEx Member Body, the Czech Republic and the forthcoming application from Singapore as per their e-mail advice to the Secretariat. A revised budget is also to be prepared to take in to account income and expenditure arising from the introduction of a Certificate fee. This revised budget shall be submitted to the ExMC for acceptance prior to seeking CAB approval during the first quarter of 2005.
Agenda Item 17 Other business
Decision 2004/26
Other business - AU Proposal
ExMC noted the AU proposal for the introduction of random surveillance of CoCs and ExTRS by way of document review as a means of instilling confidence in the IECEx Scheme. The Secretariat will prepare a proposal for consideration by the ExMC.
Other business - CA Proposal
ExMC agreed to consider the CA proposal of other forms of IECEx Membership and to give further consideration to this during the ExMC 2005 Meeting. In the meantime the officers will give the proposal consideration and report back to ExMC.
Agenda Item 19Next meeting
Decision 2004/27
The ExMC agreed to the following future meetings-
2005 United Kingdom
2006 People’s Republic of China
2007 United States
2008 France
Agenda Item 20 Close of Meeting
Decision 2004/28
The ExMC expressed their sincere appreciation to Mr Igor Likar and his staff for the excellent meeting arrangements. These arrangements undoubtedly helped to create a most comfortable and productive working environment.
------
ExMC/215/DLPage 1 of 8