NOTES

1. These Guidelines are intended to be a manual for all parties directly or indirectly affected by Directive 94/9/EC, commonly referred to as ATEX ("Atmosphères Explosibles") products Directive. Readers' attention is drawn to the fact that this guide is intended only to facilitate the application of Directive 94/9/EC and it is the relevant national transposition of the text of the Directive which is legally binding. However, this document does represent a reference for ensuring consistent application of the Directive by all stakeholders. The guidelines are intended to help ensure the free movement of products[1] in the European Union[2] by consensus amongst Member States' government experts and other parties concerned.

2. These Guidelines have been prepared by the competent services of the Directorate General - Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission in collaboration with Member States, European industry, European standardisation and Notified Bodies.

3. The European Commission services will undertake to maintain this guide. It is our goal to ensure that the information provided is both timely and accurate. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. However the Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to the information in this Guide.

This information is:
- of a general nature only and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual or entity;
- not necessarily comprehensive, complete, accurate or up to date;
- sometimes refers to external information over which the Commission services have no control and for which the Commission assumes no responsibility;
- not professional or legal advice.

4. All references to the CE marking and EC Declaration of conformity in this Guide relate only to the Directive 94/9/EC. To place products falling under Directive 94/9/EC on the market in the EU territory all other relevant legislation must be applied.

5. How to apply the Directive.

[1] For the purpose of this guide the term "product" covers equipment, protective systems, safety, controlling and regulating devices, components and their combinations as they are defined in Directive 94/9/EC.

[2] According to the agreement related to the European Economic Area (EEA) (Council and Commission Decision 94/1/EC of 13 December 1993 (OJ n° L 1 of 3 January 1994, p. 1) the territories of Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway have to be considered, for the implementation of Directive 94/9/EC, in the same right as of the EU territory. When this term, EU territory, is used in this guide, the same applies to the EEA territory.