IECEx Scheme for Certification

of Personnel Competence
(CoPC) for Explosive
Atmospheres

Assessment Requirements

Ir. Syed Fadzil Syed Mohamed, P.Eng, CEng

 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
What is IECEx? 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 petrol stations
• Oil + gas extraction
• Oil refineries, rigs and
processing plants
What is IECEx? • Gas pipelines and distribution
centres
• Chemical processing plants
• Printing industries, paper and
textiles
• Hospital e.g. operating theatres
• Aircraft refuelling and hangars
• Surface coating industries
• Coal mining
• Sewerage treatment plants
• Grain handling and storage
• Woodworking areas
• Sugar refineries, storage ,
packaging + distribution
• Metal surface grinding, e.g.
aluminium dusts and particles.
• Transportation
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food processing
• Furniture manufacturer
• Textiles
• + Many others
Schemes within the IECEx System
IECEx System Choice between:

www.iecex.com IECEx “Certificate

of Conformity”
IECEx Equipment Scheme IECEx “Component
Certification of Ex Equipment + Systems Certificate”

IECEx “Unit Verification”

Certification.

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

4
Competency comprises:

• Knowledge
• Skills
• Recent and Relevant Training (Off
and On the Job), that enable safe
working on or near Ex equipment
 • The Scheme has been established to
provide a consistent approach to the
assessment of the Competence of
Personnel.
Philosophy of • It assesses the individual – not an
the IECEx CoPC organisation.
• 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
Summary of Prerequisite Units and Recommended
General Competence
Examples of Units of Competence to be gained
 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.
 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 to any job
• Basic knowledge of persons entering a site function that may be performed in or associated
that has been classified hazardous area. with hazardous area.
• Nature of hazardous areas. • Does not require any specific prerequisites.
• Limitations on devices that may be taken
into a hazardous area.
• OHS responsibilities and procedures related
to hazardous areas.
• Does not include requirements for ensuring
the explosion protection aspects of plant
and machinery.
 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 • Degree, diploma or equivalent in a technical
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
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 the 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 PREREQUISITES
• Covers the explosion-protection aspects of • Technical education relevant to the
overhauling and repairing explosion-protected application, through documents such as
equipment. College Certificates and Trade Credentials
• Operative requires ability to identify / select etc.
authorized components, follow specifications • For Operative minimum 3 years experience
and complete documentation. in the overhaul and repair of general
• Responsible Person requires ability to establish electrical, electronic and / or mechanical
/ document the level of work required, equipment relevant to the scope
arranging for overhaul/repair to be carried • For Responsible Person minimum 3 years
out, verify compliance of overhauled/repaired experience in the servicing of Ex electrical,
equipment and complete the documentation. electronic and/or mechanical equipment
• Based on IEC 60079-19 and any other relevant relevant to the scope of the unit of
standards. competence being applied
 Unit Ex 006: Test electrical installations in or
associated with explosive atmospheres
SCOPE PREREQUISITES
• Covers testing electrical installations for • Technical education relevant to the
explosive atmospheres. application, through documents such as
• Requires ability to select, prepare and use College Certificates and Trade Credentials
appropriate testing devices, work safely and to etc.
Standards and to interpret and record test • Minimum 3 years experience in industrial
results. electrical installation practice.
• Based on IEC 60079-14 and any other relevant • Assessed either concurrently with or after
standards that may apply. Unit Ex 001.
 Unit Ex 007: Perform visual and close inspection of electrical
installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres
SCOPE PREREQUISITES
• Covers evaluating the completeness of verification • Technical education relevant to the
dossier and compliance of the explosion- application, through documents such as
protected aspects of the electrical installations. College Certificates and Trade Credentials
• Requires ability to work safely in a hazardous area, etc.
evaluate a verification dossier, identify explosion- • For Operative a minimum 3 years experience
protected equipment with their certification and in industrial electrical installation practice.
specified location, inspect an installation for • For Responsible Person a minimum 3 years
compliance and report and act on inspection experience in Ex electrical installation.
results. practice relevant to the scope of the unit of
• Based on IEC 60079-14 and IEC 60079-17 and any competence being applied for taking into
other relevant standards that may apply. 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 installation in or associated with
explosive atmospheres

SCOPE
• Covers the explosion-protection aspects • Technical education relevant to the
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
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 PREREQUISITES
• Covers the explosion-protection aspects of • Technical education relevant to the application,
conducting an audit of an electrical installation. through documents such as Degree, Diploma,
• Requires the ability to verify whether an College Certificates, Trade Credentials etc.
installation complies with the relevant • Minimum 3 years experience in general
hazardous area Standards for that installation electrical installation or inspection practice.
and includes the verification of design and • Minimum of 2 years experience in Hazardous
certification documentation (verification Area electrical installation inspection practice.
dossier), maintenance, overhaul and repair,
• Assessed either concurrently with or after
work safety, inspection against Standards and
Units Ex 002, Ex 008 and Ex 009.
reporting of audit results.
• Based on IEC 60079-14 and IEC 60079-17 and
any other relevant standards that may apply.
Summary of essential knowledge and associated skills for each
Unit of Competence
 Applicant 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 e.g. 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
Applicant Checklist Description

Inquiry • Quotation

• Complete
Application +
supporting
Payment documents

• Education,
Documents
Qualification,
validation Experience, Training

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

Assessment

2 ~ 3 weeks
Independent
Review &
CER

Online
Certificate
 Overall Assessment for Certification

In deeming a candidate competent, the following results as a

minimum requirement:

• Knowledge assessment: At least 75% of all items in a knowledge

test shall be answered correctly
• Practical skills tests: All items shall be correctly demonstrated
Example of
CoPC

Ex05
IECEx Scheme
for Certification
of Personnel
Competence for
Explosive
Atmospheres
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
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.
IECEx Requirements
and Certification
@Telegram

https://t.me/MyIECEx
 Thank you for
your attention!

Mobile : +60-19-322 3375