IECEx Scheme for Certification

of Personnel Competence
(CoPC) for Explosive
Atmospheres

Assessment Requirements

Ir. SYED FADZIL SYED MOHAMED, P.Eng, CEng

Sales and Business Development Section
Product Certification and Inspection Department
What is IECEx?

IECEx is the INTERNATIONAL STANDARD way

of doing Ex CERTIFICATION
❑ The IEC’s System with Schemes covering Certification to
Standards that relate to Equipment, Services and Persons in areas
relating to Explosive Atmospheres (Ex), to provide an
Internationally accepted means of demonstrating claimed
compliance with International Standards
❑ IECEx is a Conformity Assessment Tool providing confidence that
Products, Services and Personnel covered by an IECEx Certificate
meet specified requirements (International Standards)
Ex is NOT an industry of its own!

Ex is part of almost every known Industries

❑ Automotive refuelling stations or ❑ Coal mining
petrol stations ❑ Sewerage treatment plants
❑ Oil + gas extraction ❑ Grain handling and storage
❑ Oil refineries, rigs and processing ❑ Woodworking areas
plants
❑ Sugar refineries, storage , packaging
❑ Gas pipelines and distribution + distribution
centres
❑ Metal surface grinding, eg aluminium
❑ Chemical processing plants dusts and particles.
❑ Printing industries, paper and ❑ Transportation
textiles
❑ Pharmaceuticals
❑ Hospital eg operating theatres
❑ Food processing
❑ Aircraft refuelling and hangars
❑ Furniture manufacturer
❑ Surface coating industries
❑ Textiles - + Many others
Ex Areas are Complex + Costly

Ex Equipment and Installation’s are

complex.

The Ex industry requires

verification of compliance in every
aspect from
❑ Installation Design
❑ Equipment and Systems
❑ Inspection
❑ Maintenance
❑ Repair
❑ Personnel
Schemes within the IECEx System
Choice between:
IECEx System
www.iecex.com IECEx “Certificate of
Conformity”

IECEx Equipment Scheme IECEx “Component

Certification of Ex Equipment + Systems Certificate”

IECEx “Unit
Verification” Cert.

IECEx Conformity Mark

License Scheme

IECEx Services Scheme

Certification of Ex Service Providers, eg
Repair and overhaul workshops

IECEx Certified Persons

Scheme (CoPC)
Competency to work in Ex field 5
IECEx On-Line CoC System

❑ Web site version is the MASTER

❑ Certificates issued by ALL ExCBs in the one place –
if not on IECEx website – then not issued!
❑ Data Backed up by IEC Central Office, Geneva
❑ Certificate / Report Number automatically generated
by system, all Cert. Nos begin with “IECEx….”
❑ Certificates + reports deleted only by Secretariat
❑ Editing only allowed during first 14 days after issue
of the Certificate
❑ ExCBs only issue CoCs within their scope
❑ Supported by technical Secretariat.
Competency comprises

❑ Knowledge
❑ Skills
Philosophy of the IECEx CoPC

❑ The Scheme has been established to provide a

consistent approach to the assessment of the
Competence of Personnel
❑ It assesses the individual – not an organization
❑ Independent of training to remove conflict so not
concerned with how the knowledge and skills are
obtained
Certification of Personnel Competence for
Explosive Atmosphere

❑ IECEx CoPC is the FIRST INTERNATIONAL SCHEME

aimed at providing personnel with a WORLDWIDE
RECOGNITION
❑ Covering areas of design, selection, installation,
maintenance, inspection, audit, overhaul and repair of
Ex equipment
❑ Shows that the certificate holder is capable of:
▪ working in the Ex industry safely
▪ conducting work on Ex equipment
▪ ensuring that the Ex equipment is operating safely
in accordance with its protection techniques.
IECEx 05 - IECEx Certification of Personnel
Competencies Scheme
Rules / Guidance
❑ IECEx 05 – Rules of Procedure
❑ IECEx 05A – Guidance / Instructions for Applicants to obtain CoPC

OD (Operational Documents)

❑ OD 501, Assessment Procedures for IECEx acceptance of ExCBs

for the purpose of issuing and maintaining IECEx CoPC
❑ OD 502, Application for an IECEx Certificate o Personnel
Competencies, documentation and information requirements
❑ OD 503, ExCB Procedures for issuing and maintaining IECEx CoPC
❑ OD 504, Specification for Units of Competency Assessment
Outcomes

Documents can be downloaded FOC from http://www.iecex.com/

IECEx 05 - IECEx Certification of Personnel
Competencies Scheme
Standards

❑ IEC 60079 Series, Equipment for explosive atmospheres

❑ IEC 60079 - 0 (General requirements)
❑ IEC60079 - 14 (Electrical installations in hazardous areas)
❑ IEC60079 - 17 (Electrical installations inspection and maintenance)
❑ IEC60079 - 19 (Equipment repair, overhaul and reclamation)

Typical reference documents used, please check applicable unit of competency required

Standards can be purchased from http://webstore.iec.ch/

IECEx Scheme for Certification
of Personnel Competencies
(CoPC)

Scope of
Authorisation
List of Units of Competence
Limitation of Scope
Examples of Units of Competence to be
gained
Summary of Prerequisite Units and
Recommended General Competence
Some Units Need Practical Assessment
❑ Unit Ex 002 : zone classification in Gas and in Dust area.
❑ Unit Ex 003 : installation of equipment as ‘d’ enclosure, ‘e’ terminal
box and intrinsic safety barriers by following wiring diagram
❑ Unit Ex 004 : maintenance of installation by doing the preparation,
check and reporting
❑ Unit Ex 005 : repair of a motor
❑ Unit Ex 006 : installation testing by doing the preparation, testing
and reporting
❑ Unit Ex 007 : visual inspections by doing the preparation,
conducting visual inspections and reporting
❑ Unit Ex 008 : detailed inspections by doing the preparation,
conducting detailed inspections and reporting
❑ Unit Ex 009 : installation design by interpreting area classification,
selecting equipment and wiring systems and checking equipment
certification for suitability
❑ Unit Ex 010 : audit inspection by doing all previous practical
assessment
Assessment

Assessment criteria based on OD 504, Specifications for

Units of Competency Assessments Outcomes

Knowledge Assessment Performance

Assessment
Structured assessment methods,
such as written, practical and oral ❑ Gathering evidence of
tests / technical interviews performance in a simulated work
environment
❑ Gathering evidence of
performance directly in the
workplace
❑ Gathering evidence of
performance, from indicators in
relevant work experience
Unit Ex 000 : Basic knowledge and awareness to enter a site
that includes a classified hazardous area

SCOPE PREREQUISITES
❑ Safety obligations ❑ This unit would be used in relation
❑ Basic knowledge of persons to any job function that may be
entering a site that has been performed in or associated with
classified hazardous areas. hazardous area
❑ Nature of hazardous areas ❑ Does not require any specific
prerequisites.
❑ Limitations on devices that may be
taken into a hazardous area
❑ OSH responsibilities and
procedures related to hazardous
areas.
❑ Does not include requirements for
ensuring the explosion protection
aspects of plant and machinery.
Unit Ex 000 : Elements for Assessment

Show an understanding of the nature of explosive hazards and

hazardous areas to an extent indicated by the following aspects:
❑ Flammable materials and ignition sources encompassing
a) understanding of the fire triangle
b) understanding of most common ignition sources
c) toxic explosive and oxygen depleting nature of gases and
vapours and potential harmful consequences.
❑ Hazardous areas zones and marking
a) actions that can affect the hazardous area
b) identification marking for the types of protection.
❑ The basic understanding of explosion-protection is achieved
encompassing
a) exclusion, containment, energy limitation, dilution and
avoidance of ignition sources
b) how activities such as painting, cleaning, welding can affect
the explosion protection concepts of installed equipment and
that therefore the work permit shall be followed in detail.
Unit Ex 000 : Elements for Assessment

Show an understanding of the OSH responsibilities related to

hazardous areas to an extent indicated by the following aspects:
❑ Responsibilities of persons entering a hazardous areas
a) features and purpose of an entry and work permit system;
b) safety procedures that should be followed before entering a
hazardous area;
c) purpose of gas detectors and their limitations;
d) effects of temperature on gas and vapour detection;
e) frequency of monitoring for presence of gas or vapours, i.e.
effects of temperature rise;
f) factors affecting the accuracy of gas detectors, for example,
contamination, condensation and temperature;
g) safety in use of gas detectors, for example, the ‘read and run
concept’; and
h) safety precautions to be taken when working in a hazardous
area.
Unit Ex 000 : Elements for Assessment

❑ Roles of the parties involved in the safety of hazardous areas

encompassing
a) common Acts and Regulations related to the safety of
hazardous areas and the authorities responsible for their
implementation;
b) the hazardous area responsibilities of the owner of premises
in which a hazardous area exists; the occupier of premises in
which a hazardous area exists.
Unit Ex 001 : Apply basic principles of protection in explosive
atmospheres
SCOPE
❑ Covers basic principles of
protection in explosive
atmospheres of plant and
machinery.
❑ This unit of competence is based
on various parts of IEC 60079
series.
PREREQUISITES
❑ No minimum level of technical
education applicable
❑ Shall be assessed in combination
with, or after gaining other
competence required by a given
industry or enterprise for plant or
machinery operation or
installations, maintenance or
service functions.
Unit Ex 002 : Perform classification of hazardous areas
SCOPE
❑ Covers knowledge and skills to
classify areas where explosive
hazards may exist.
❑ Requires ability to gather and
analyse data relative to explosion
hazards, determine the extent of
risk and establish and document
zones
❑ Based on IEC 60079-10-1 and IEC
60079-10-2 and any other relevant
standard
PREREQUISITES
❑ Degree, diploma or equivalent in a
technical subject.
❑ Should be carried out by those who
understand the relevance and
significance of properties of
flammable materials and those who
are familiar with the process and
the equipment along with safety,
electrical, mechanical and other
qualified engineering personnel.
Unit Ex 003 : Install explosion-protected equipment and wiring
systems

SCOPE
❑ Covers the explosion-protection
aspects for installing explosion-
protected and associated
equipment and wiring systems.
❑ Requires the ability to match
equipment with that specified for a
given location, work safely, and to
installation Standards and
complete the necessary installation
documentation.
❑ Assessment is based on IEC
60079-14 and any other relevant
standards.
❑ Installation all types of protection
shall be understood.
PREREQUISITES
❑ Technical education relevant to the
application, through documents
such as College Certificates and
Vocational qualifications etc.
❑ Minimum 3 years experience in
industrial electrical installation
practice.
❑ For Responsible Person minimum
3 years experience in Ex industrial
electrical installation practice.
❑ Assessed either concurrently with
or after Unit Ex 001
Unit Ex 004 : Maintain equipment in explosive atmospheres
SCOPE
❑ Covers explosion-protection
aspects for maintaining explosion-
protected and associated
equipment and wiring systems
including plant maintenance.
❑ Ability to develop and manage
maintenance programs
incorporating strategies for
inspections, repair / overhaul /
replacement of components and
recording of outcomes.
❑ Based on IEC 60079-17 and any
other relevant standards
PREREQUISITES
❑ Technical education relevant to the
application, through documents
such as College Certificates and
Trade Credentials etc.
❑ Minimum 3 years experience in
industrial maintenance practice.
❑ For Responsible Person minimum
3 years experience in Ex
maintenance practice.
❑ Assessed either concurrently with
or after Unit Ex 001
Unit Ex 005 : Overhaul and repair of explosion-protected
equipment
SCOPE
❑ Covers the explosion-protection
aspects of overhauling and
repairing explosion-protected
equipment
❑ Operative requires ability to
identify / select authorized
components, follow specifications
and complete documentation.
❑ Responsible Person requires
ability to establish / document the ❑ For Responsible Person minimum
level of work required, arranging
for overhaul/repair to be carried
out, verify compliance of
overhauled/repaired equipment and
complete the documentation.
❑ Based on IEC 60079-19 and any
other relevant standards
PREREQUISITES
❑ Technical education relevant to the
application, through documents
such as College Certificates and
Trade Credentials etc.
❑ For Operative minimum 3 years
experience in the overhaul and
repair of general electrical,
electronic and / or mechanical
equipment relevant to the scope
3 years experience in the servicing
of Ex electrical, electronic and/or
mechanical equipment relevant to
the scope of the unit of
competence being applied
Unit Ex 006 : Test electrical installations in or associated with
explosive atmospheres
SCOPE
❑ Covers testing electrical
installations for explosive
atmospheres.
❑ Requires ability to select, prepare
and use appropriate testing
devices, work safely and to
Standards and to interpret and
record test results.
❑ Based on IEC 60079-14 and any
other relevant standards that may
apply.
PREREQUISITES
❑ Technical education relevant to the
application, through documents
such as College Certificates and
Trade Credentials etc.
❑ Minimum 3 years experience in
industrial electrical installation
practice.
❑ Assessed either concurrently with
or after Unit Ex 001
Unit Ex 007 : Perform visual and close inspection of electrical
installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres
SCOPE
❑ Covers evaluating the
completeness of verification
dossier and compliance of the
explosion-protected aspects of the
electrical installations.
❑ Requires ability to work safely in a
hazardous area, evaluate a
verification dossier, identify
explosion-protected equipment
with their certification and
specified location, inspect an
installation for compliance and
report and act on inspection
results.
❑ Based on IEC 60079-14 and IEC
60079-17 and any other relevant
standards that may apply.
PREREQUISITES
❑ Technical education relevant to the
application, through documents
such as College Certificates and
Trade Credentials etc
❑ For Operative a minimum 3 years
experience in industrial electrical
installation practice.
❑ For Responsible Person a
minimum 3 years experience in Ex
electrical installation practice
relevant to the scope of the unit of
competence being applied for
taking into account the scope
limitations.
❑ Assessed either concurrently with
or after Unit Ex 001
Unit Ex 008 : Perform detailed inspection of electrical
installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres

SCOPE
❑ Covers explosion-protection
aspects of conducting initial,
periodic and sample audit
inspections of explosion-protected
equipment and installations.
❑ Requires the ability to audit a
verification dossier, work safely in
a hazardous area, inspect against
Standards and report and act on
inspection results.
❑ Based on IEC 60079-14 and IEC
60079-17 and any other relevant
standards that may apply.
PREREQUISITES
❑ Technical education relevant to the
application, through documents
such as College Certificates and
Trade Credentials etc.
❑ For an operative a minimum 3
years experience in general
electrical installation practice.
❑ For a responsible person a
minimum 3 years experience in
Hazardous Area installation
practice.
❑ Assessed either concurrently with
or after Unit Ex 001
Unit Ex 009 : Design electrical installations in or associated
with explosive atmospheres
SCOPE
❑ Covers the explosion-protection
aspects of designing electrical
power, control and instrumentation
systems and installations.
❑ Requires ability to establish design
briefs and to pursue economical
and effective explosion-protection
design solutions.
❑ Based on IEC 60079-14 and any
other relevant standards that may
apply.
PREREQUISITES
❑ Technical education relevant to the
application, through documents
such as Degree, Diploma and
College Certificates etc
❑ Minimum 3 years experience in
general electrical installation
design or supervised Hazardous
Area installation design.
❑ Assessed either concurrently with
or after Unit Ex 001
Unit Ex 010 : Perform audit inspection of electrical
installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres
SCOPE
❑ Covers the explosion-protection
aspects of conducting an audit of
an electrical installation.
❑ Requires the ability to verify
whether an installation complies
with the relevant hazardous area
Standards for that installation and
includes the verification of design
and certification documentation
(verification dossier), maintenance,
overhaul and repair, work safety,
inspection against Standards and
reporting of audit results.
❑ Based on IEC 60079-14 and IEC
60079-17 and any other relevant
standards that may apply.
PREREQUISITES
❑ Technical education relevant to the
application, through documents
such as Degree, Diploma, College
Certificates, Trade Credentials
etcetera.
❑ Minimum 3 years experience in
general electrical installation or
inspection practice,
❑ Minimum of 2 years experience in
Hazardous Area electrical
installation inspection practice.
❑ Assessed either concurrently with
or after Units Ex 002, Ex 008 and Ex
009.
Summary of essential knowledge and associated skills for each
Unit of Competence
Summary of essential knowledge and associated skills for each
Unit of Competence
Summary of essential knowledge and associated skills for each
Unit of Competence
Summary of essential knowledge and associated skills for each
Unit of Competence
 APPLICATION CHECKLIST DESCRIPTION

❑ All pages of the application form completed (including payment information and selected schedule)
❑ Valid e-mail address included
❑ Valid telephone number included
❑ Resume with details of work experience associated with Hazardous Areas and Non-Hazardous Areas.
Please provide details of employer(s) or client(s) for verification.
❑ Letter of Current Employment
❑ Copy of Degree / Diploma / Certificate
❑ Copy of training records related to Hazardous Areas
❑ Copy of Government issue Identification Document eg Mykad, International Passport etc. Please cross,
with the word -IECEX COPC-
❑ Current Passport size portrait photograph, in colour and with a white background in electronic .jpg
format 150 X 200 pixels. Please send it to : ask.pci@sirim.my (Subject : Applicant Name)
❑ Evidence of assessment fee payment transaction eg. Cheque, payment slip etc
❑ Copy of completed application documents for your records
NOTE :
All documentation such as resume, certificates, identification document etc to be reviewed / endorsed / certified by current
employer, notary public or commissioner of oaths (pesuruhjaya sumpah)
 CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Inquiry • Quotation

Application + • Complete
supporting
Payment documents

Documents • Education,
Qualification,
validation Experience, Training

< 2 weeks
• Acceptance of
Exam application
notification
> 1 month • Exam schedule

Assessment

2 ~ 3 weeks
Independent
Review &
CER

Online
Certificate
Example of
CoPC
(New Entrant)

Ex05
IECEx Scheme
for Certification
of Personnel
Competence for
Explosive
Atmospheres
Example of
CoPC
(Experienced)

Ex05
IECEx Scheme
for Certification
of Personnel
Competence for
Explosive
Atmospheres
Example of IECEx CoPC ID Card
United Nations Endorsement of IECEx

New United Nations

Publication, March 2011
endorsing IEC TC 31
Standards + IECEx as
world’s best practice

Full Text
http://www.unece.org/press/pr2011/11trade_p03e.htm
Thank you for your attention!

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