--- title: ATEX & IECEx Panel Certification | insightEx description: Get your control panel ATEX or IECEx certified, by unit verification for one-offs or type approval with QAN/QAR for volume builds. One contact, one quote. --- [![insightEx](https://insightex.co.uk/hubfs/website/insightex-logo-dark.jpg)](https://insightex.co.uk/?hsLang=en-gb) [Services▾](https://insightex.co.uk/atex-iecex-training?hsLang=en-gb) [ATEX & IECEx Training](https://insightex.co.uk/atex-iecex-training?hsLang=en-gb)[QAN QAR implementation](https://insightex.co.uk/qan-qar-implementation?hsLang=en-gb)[Consultancy](https://insightex.co.uk/consultancy?hsLang=en-gb)[Routes to certification](https://insightex.co.uk/routes-to-certification?hsLang=en-gb)[Panel certification](https://insightex.co.uk/panel-certification?hsLang=en-gb)[Shop](https://insightex.co.uk/shop?hsLang=en-gb) [About us](https://insightex.co.uk/about?hsLang=en-gb) [Resources▾](https://insightex.co.uk/technical-information?hsLang=en-gb) [Technical Info](https://insightex.co.uk/technical-information?hsLang=en-gb)[Downloads](https://insightex.co.uk/downloads?hsLang=en-gb)[Blog](https://insightex.co.uk/blog?hsLang=en-gb) [Contact us](https://insightex.co.uk/contact?hsLang=en-gb)[Book a demo](https://insightex.co.uk/contact#book) Menu Services [ATEX & IECEx Training](https://insightex.co.uk/atex-iecex-training?hsLang=en-gb)[QAN QAR implementation](https://insightex.co.uk/qan-qar-implementation?hsLang=en-gb)[Consultancy](https://insightex.co.uk/consultancy?hsLang=en-gb)[Routes to certification](https://insightex.co.uk/routes-to-certification?hsLang=en-gb)[Panel certification](https://insightex.co.uk/panel-certification?hsLang=en-gb)[Shop](https://insightex.co.uk/shop?hsLang=en-gb) Resources [Technical Info](https://insightex.co.uk/technical-information?hsLang=en-gb)[Downloads](https://insightex.co.uk/downloads?hsLang=en-gb)[Blog](https://insightex.co.uk/blog?hsLang=en-gb) Company [About us](https://insightex.co.uk/about?hsLang=en-gb)[Contact us](https://insightex.co.uk/contact?hsLang=en-gb)[Book a demo](https://insightex.co.uk/contact#book) ServicesATEX · IECEx · One-off or in volume # Get your panel Ex certified. Building control panels for hazardous areas? Whether it is a one-off for a project or the same design in volume, there is a certification route that fits. We help you pick it and get through it. We prepare your technical file, get your panel ready for assessment and manage the certification for you, working with our notified body partner, Element Materials Technology. One point of contact, one quote. [Get a quote](https://insightex.co.uk/contact?hsLang=en-gb)[Compare the routes](https://insightex.co.uk/panel-certification#compare) ![Ex control panels and junction boxes being built on a process skid](https://insightex.co.uk/hubfs/website/Panel-Hero.jpeg) Choosing a route ## Unit verification or type approval? Both end in a certified panel. The difference is whether you certify one panel, or a design you will build again and again. ### Unit verification One unit, one certificate Best for One-off or low-volume panels built for a specific project How it works Element examines and tests the individual panel against the standards What you end up with A certificate for that serial-numbered panel, under ATEX Module G or IECEx unit verification Quality system No QAN or QAR needed Bear in mind Every unit needs its own verification, so the cost repeats with each build ### Type approval One design, every unit Best for The same panel design built repeatedly How it works The design is examined once, then production is controlled by your quality system What you end up with An EU-type examination certificate or IECEx Certificate of Conformity covering every unit built to it Quality system A QAN (ATEX) or QAR (IECEx) against ISO/IEC 80079-34 Bear in mind More investment up front, far less per unit after that As a general guide, if you will build the same design more than a handful of times, type approval usually costs less overall. We will tell you where that tipping point sits for you. Certify once, build many ## Panel type approval in 4 steps. Build and sell certified panels in volume, without a unit verification every time. PreparationSteps 1 and 2 run in parallel 1 ### Get your QMS audit ready Processes, procedures and records ready for the QAN or QAR audit. ISO/IEC 80079-34 2 ### Get the design ready Drawings and documents for each design, plus certificates for every Ex part. Technical file preparation CertificationSteps 3 and 4 run in parallel 3 ### Apply for QAN / QAR An in-person audit. Any findings are closed before the notification is issued. Initial audit, then annual 4 ### Apply for product certification Whether testing is needed depends on the enclosure and component certificates. 8 weeks, +2 to 8 if tested 8 up to 16 weeks From start to finish: 8 weeks if no testing is needed, up to 16 weeks if it is. A guideline only. The result Build as many as you like. As long as every unit stays within what the certificate covers. [QAN QAR implementation →](https://insightex.co.uk/qan-qar-implementation?hsLang=en-gb) ![Jon Hichens of insightEx presenting at the Americas LNG Summit, Lake Charles, USA](https://insightex.co.uk/hubfs/website/hero-home-v2.jpg) Jon Hichens presenting at the Americas LNG Summit, Lake Charles, USA For UL panel builders ## Your UL 508A listing does not travel. Under UL 508A the panel shop is approved, so a listed shop can build and label its own panels. ATEX and IECEx work the other way round: they certify equipment, never the workshop that built it. UL 508A ATEX and IECEx What is approved The panel shop, through a listing and follow-up service The equipment itself. Each panel is verified, or built to a type certificate you hold Who applies the mark The listed shop labels its own panels Ex marking only after unit verification, or under a certified type with a QAN or QAR Ongoing inspection Periodic follow-up visits to the shop Each unit examined individually, or your quality system audited Area classification Class and Division (NEC 500), or Zones (NEC 505) Zones, with EPL, gas or dust group and temperature class There is no ATEX or IECEx equivalent of an approved panel shop. Every panel going into a European or IECEx hazardous area is certified on its own, or built to a certificate you hold. **Based in the USA?** Get your quote through our partner, Eutex International, in Houston. [Contact Eutex](https://www.eutexinternational.com/contact/) Competence evidence ## Your team is part of the audit A QAN or QAR audit checks that the people designing, building and testing your panels are competent, and that you can prove it. Our training gives you that evidence. [ATEX & IECEx Training](https://insightex.co.uk/atex-iecex-training?hsLang=en-gb) FAQs ## Questions we are asked most Still not covered? [Send us the question](https://insightex.co.uk/contact?hsLang=en-gb). An engineer answers, not a chatbot. Should I choose unit verification or type approval? Unit verification certifies one serial-numbered panel, under ATEX Module G or IECEx unit verification, with no QAN or QAR needed. Type approval certifies the design, so once you hold a QAN or QAR you can build as many as you like. One-offs suit unit verification; repeat builds suit type approval. Can my panel shop be approved for ATEX, like it is for UL 508A? No. ATEX and IECEx certify equipment, not workshops. Each panel either needs unit verification, or must be built to a type certificate you hold, backed by a QAN or QAR. Do I need a QAN or QAR for unit verification? No. Each unit is examined individually, so production quality assurance is not required. If you move to building the same design in series, you will need one. When does a type certificate make more sense? When you build the same design repeatedly. Verification costs repeat with every unit, while a type certificate and a QAN or QAR are a one-off investment plus surveillance. We will work out the break-even point with you. How long does it take, and what does it cost? It depends on the unit, the protection concepts involved and how complete your documentation is. Send us the details and we will come back with one quote and a timescale. ## Got a panel to certify? Send us the drawings, the zone it is going into and how many you plan to build. We will recommend the route and give you one quote that covers it all. [Get a quote](https://insightex.co.uk/contact?hsLang=en-gb) Ex training and compliance support for hazardous area equipment manufacturers. Services [ATEX & IECEx Training](https://insightex.co.uk/atex-iecex-training?hsLang=en-gb)[QAN QAR implementation](https://insightex.co.uk/qan-qar-implementation?hsLang=en-gb)[Consultancy](https://insightex.co.uk/consultancy?hsLang=en-gb)[Routes to certification](https://insightex.co.uk/routes-to-certification?hsLang=en-gb)[Panel certification](https://insightex.co.uk/panel-certification?hsLang=en-gb)[Shop](https://insightex.co.uk/shop?hsLang=en-gb) Company [About us](https://insightex.co.uk/about?hsLang=en-gb)[Technical information](https://insightex.co.uk/technical-information?hsLang=en-gb)[Downloads](https://insightex.co.uk/downloads?hsLang=en-gb)[Blog](https://insightex.co.uk/blog?hsLang=en-gb)[Contact us](https://insightex.co.uk/contact?hsLang=en-gb) Talk to us [0191 694 1675](tel:01916941675)[jon@insightex.co.uk](mailto:jon@insightex.co.uk)[ben@insightex.co.uk](mailto:ben@insightex.co.uk)[Book a demo](https://insightex.co.uk/contact#book) Office 17a Coopies Haugh Morpeth NE61 6JN Registered office Lloyds Bank House Bellingham, Hexham NE48 2AZ Policies[Privacy](https://insightex.co.uk/hubfs/insightex-privacy-policy.pdf?hsLang=en-gb)[Cookies](https://insightex.co.uk/hubfs/insightex-cookie-policy.pdf?hsLang=en-gb)[Terms & Conditions](https://insightex.co.uk/hubfs/insightex-website-terms.pdf?hsLang=en-gb)[Terms of Sale](https://insightex.co.uk/hubfs/insightex-terms-of-sale.pdf?hsLang=en-gb)[Quality](https://insightex.co.uk/hubfs/insightex-quality-policy.pdf?hsLang=en-gb)Cookie settings © 2026 insightEx Ltd · Company Reg No. 15729037 · Registered in England and Wales · VAT No. 468164465![insightEx](https://insightex.co.uk/hubfs/website/insightex-logo-white.svg)