Such rapid development has brought with it the necessity for increased energy resources. Although China is today the largest producer of renewable energy from wind and the sun, it still relies heavily on fossil fuels such as oil and gas to meet industry energy needs. And as demand exceeds local production, China has to import oil from other parts of the globe.
Ex equipment standardized and certified
The increasing importance of the Chinese petroleum sector brought with it the need for new facilities and highly specialized devices and equipment that could be used in hazardous or Ex (explosive) environments. This is where standardization, IEC International Standards in particular, and Conformity Assessment play a crucial role.
IECEx in China
China is a member of IECEx, the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres, through an ExCB (Ex Certification Body), CQM (China Quality Mark Certification Group Co. Ltd.) and an ExTL (Ex Testing Laboratory), PCEC, the supervision and test centre of Ex-products for China’s petroleum and chemical industry. PCEC has been an IECEx-accredited Testing Laboratory since 2005.
Promoting IECEx
To help promote and expand IECEx activities in China, PCEC participated in the International Forum on Petroleum & Petrochemical Equipment Industry Development, an event held in March, in conjunction with EXPEC, the China International Explosion Protection Electric Technology & Equipment Exhibition, and CIPPE, China International Petroleum & Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition.
The Forum was the ideal platform for PCEC to present the IECEx System and its Certified Equipment Scheme to a high level audience composed of senior officials from China’s oil and petrochemical industry and international companies and organizations. PCEC introduced IECEx, the certification process and highlighted the differences with the Chinese national Ex approval system. Many senior managing officers and directors from oil and petrochemical companies’ Health and Safety Departments expressed great interest in the system.
EXPEC and CIPPE
EXPEC and CIPPE are events that have brought together major players in the Chinese and international Ex industry for the past eight years. The exhibition is one of the top petroleum exhibitions in the world, attended in 2011 by 1 500 exhibitors from 45 countries, coming not only from China, but also from the USA (United States), Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and Singapore among others. They showcased the latest oil and gas technology, products and equipment for some 40 000 visitors.
The IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme
From the smallest to the largest piece of equipment used by the Ex industry, all can be tested and certified by IECEx. An IECEx Certificate is like a passport for manufacturers of Ex equipment. It provides clear proof of claimed compliance with International Standards. It certifies that the equipment in question has the right level of protection. It provides assurance that products bearing an IECEx Certificate conform to the International Standards listed on the same Certificate.
