PESO Certification for Flameproof (Ex) Equipment – IECEx and ATEX Alignment

A Real-World Start: When Compliance Meets Reality

Late one evening, Riya, the instrumentation head at a large chemical plant in Gujarat, was pacing the control room. Her team had everything ready — cabling, motor starters, flameproof panels — but nothing could be switched on. The equipment, imported from Europe, had all the right international marks — IECEx, ATEX, CE, you name it.

But at the port, her shipment was held because it lacked PESO approval — India’s mandatory clearance for electrical equipment used in explosive or hazardous areas. Each day of delay meant mounting costs, idle manpower, and the risk of missing production targets.

It wasn’t until she engaged a compliance consultant that she realized — IECEx or ATEX certificates alone aren’t enough in India. PESO has its own approval process that validates such equipment for Indian use under local petroleum and gas safety laws.

That’s exactly where this guide helps you — to make sure your flameproof (Ex) equipment doesn’t get stuck at the dock or on your shop floor.

Understanding PESO and Its Role

PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation), formerly known as the Chief Controller of Explosives (CCoE), is India’s national authority that regulates safety in flammable, explosive, and petroleum-based installations.

If your facility deals with fuels, gases, refineries, storage depots, or pressure vessels, you’re already under PESO’s regulatory net. And that means — any flameproof, explosion-protected, or intrinsically safe (Ex) electrical equipment used in such premises must be approved by PESO before installation or operation.

This requirement stems from three cornerstone regulations:

• The Petroleum Rules, 2002 – governing petroleum handling and storage.
• The Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 – for compressed and flammable gas facilities.
• The SMPV (Unfired) Rules, 2016 – for static and mobile pressure vessels.

In simple terms — if your site is licensed under these rules, every piece of Ex equipment used there needs a PESO approval or license to operate.

Why International Certifications Alone Don’t Suffice

Manufacturers often believe that if their products already carry IECEx or ATEX certifications — that’s enough for India too. Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple.

PESO doesn’t re-test equipment but verifies, evaluates, and endorses it for compliance under Indian laws. This ensures compatibility with local safety standards, documentation practices, and plant-level installations.

Here’s how it actually works: PESO recognizes three distinct approval routes, depending on where and how the product was made and tested.

The Three Approval Pathways — Choose the Right Lane

Before you apply for PESO certification, identify which “lane” your equipment belongs to. Choosing the wrong one can cost weeks of delay.

1. Lane A — India-Tested Equipment (BIS + Local Reports)

Ideal for products manufactured in India, especially those with Ex d (flameproof) protection.

• Submit Indian test reports from a CCoE-recognized lab.
• Include a valid BIS license (mandatory for Ex d products).
• Attach the manufacturing flow and quality plan to show traceability.

2. Lane B — IECEx Certified Equipment (Global Route)

Preferred for globally manufactured Ex products.

• Submit IECEx Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
• Include the IECEx Test Report (ExTR) and Quality Assessment Report (QAR).
• Ensure markings, gas group, and temperature class match across documents.

3. Lane C — ATEX Certified Equipment (EU-Manufactured)

Applicable only if your equipment is manufactured in the EU.

• Provide EU Type Examination Certificate, PQAN, and Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
• Ensure the equipment meets the same IEC 60079 protection levels.

At a Glance:

Route	Best For	Required Documents
A – India Test + BIS	India-made Ex d products	Indian test reports + BIS license
B – IECEx Route	Global manufacturers	IECEx CoC + ExTR + QAR
C – ATEX Route	EU-made equipment	ATEX Type Cert + PQAN + DoC

Tip: If the equipment is not made in the EU, don’t use the ATEX route. IECEx is the safer and globally accepted option.

Decoding “Flameproof (Ex)” Markings

Every piece of explosion-proof equipment carries a unique “Ex” marking — the code that tells you its type of protection, gas group, and temperature class.

When applying for PESO, this code must match perfectly across your certificates, drawings, and nameplates.

For example:

• Ex d IIB T4 Gb → Flameproof (Ex d), Gas Group IIB, Temp Class T4, Equipment Protection Level Gb.
• Ex e IIC T5 → Increased Safety (Ex e), Gas Group IIC, Temp Class T5.

If these markings mismatch anywhere — PESO will ask for clarification or reject the application outright.

The Compliance Map — Step-by-Step Process

Getting PESO approval is primarily a documentation exercise, but accuracy is everything.

Step 1 – Identify the correct route
Decide whether your product fits under BIS, IECEx, or ATEX.

Step 2 – Gather documents
Certificates, test reports, nameplate drawings, circuit diagrams, manuals, and declarations of conformity.

Step 3 – Appoint an Indian representative
Foreign manufacturers must authorize an Indian agent or partner to correspond with PESO and handle clarifications.

Step 4 – Submit the application
Applications are filed online to the Chief Controller of Explosives (CCoE), Nagpur, referencing the applicable rule (Petroleum, Gas, or SMPV).

Step 5 – Technical review and clarifications
PESO verifies markings, design details, and certification lineage. You may be asked to submit additional proofs or clarifications.

Step 6 – Approval and validity
Once approved, PESO issues a digital certificate referencing the product model, Ex rating, and applicable regulations.

Where Most Delays Happen

Even experienced manufacturers make avoidable mistakes:

• Submitting ATEX certificates for non-EU manufactured products.
• Mismatch in marking details between nameplates and certificates.
• Missing QAR/PQAN or expired BIS license.
• No clear declaration of Indian representative or importer.

Each of these can push approvals back by weeks — sometimes months. Early consultation prevents such bottlenecks.

Why Flameproof Equipment is Scrutinized So Strictly

Flameproof (Ex d) equipment forms the first line of defense in hazardous industrial environments. Any failure can ignite an explosive atmosphere.

That’s why PESO requires strict verification:

• Proper joint thickness, gap, and flame path design.
• Verified tests for gas groups (IIB/IIC).
• Heat-rise and temperature-class conformity.

It’s not about paperwork — it’s about protecting lives, plants, and the environment.

What Happens If You Skip PESO

Ignoring PESO approval is a serious compliance lapse. Beyond regulatory penalties, it brings tangible business risks:

• Commissioning delays — plants can’t operate without approvals.
• Insurance issues — coverage is void if unapproved Ex equipment is used.
• Regulatory action — local inspectors can halt operations or revoke licenses.
• Reputation damage — non-compliance can blacklist suppliers from major tenders.

Think of PESO as your safety passport — not a bureaucratic hurdle.

IECEx and ATEX Alignment — A Global-Local Bridge

The good news: PESO now aligns closely with global frameworks like IECEx and ATEX.

• IECEx certificates are accepted almost directly with minimal local validation.
• ATEX is accepted when products are EU-manufactured and documentation is complete.
• Most Indian approvals for multinationals (ABB, Siemens, Emerson, etc.) are now based on IECEx documentation.

This global alignment makes it easier for companies to export and import safely — provided the paperwork matches exactly.

Key Takeaways for Businesses

• Start early — Don’t wait until your shipment arrives; apply for PESO well before dispatch.
• Audit your certificates — Ensure markings, serials, and Ex details are consistent.
• Check validity — Keep BIS, IECEx, or ATEX certificates current.
• Local representation matters — Assign a responsible Indian contact for follow-ups.
• Bundle your compliance — Many manufacturers combine BIS, PESO, and EPR support through specialized consultants like Green Permits.

How Green Permits Helps

At Green Permits Consulting, we simplify PESO compliance for manufacturers, importers, and plant operators across India.

Our experts handle:

• PESO application drafting and submission.
• Cross-verification of IECEx/ATEX documentation.
• BIS licensing for Ex d equipment.
• Coordination with PESO offices and CCoE Nagpur.
• Renewal, amendments, and representation for foreign OEMs.

We don’t just process forms — we make compliance predictable, time-bound, and audit-ready.

📞 +91 78350 06182
📧 wecare@greenpermits.in
Book a consultation today to avoid delays and ensure your equipment meets every requirement before installation.