Quality assurance of test results for the determination of Ingress Protection Code for Ex equipment enclosures

INSEMEX-OEC is a Conformity Assessment Body for certification activities in accordance with ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, being accredited by RENAR and notified to Brussels (NB1809). INSEMEXGLI (Group of Testing Laboratories) is the main provider of laboratory testing services for the product certification body INSEMEX-OEC. The test laboratories meet the requirements of the standard SR EN ISO / IEC 17025. This standard requires laboratories to have a procedure in place to monitor the validity of the test results. This monitoring must be planned and, if possible, should include participation in inter-laboratory comparisons or proficiency testing programs. This paper presents some specific issues highlighted during the successful participation of INSEMEX-GLI in a round of inter-laboratory comparisons organized by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt from Germany to determine International Protection Code (IP Code) for equipment enclosures.