Machine directive of the European Union in the field of explosion protection, came into force in July 2003. The ATEX Directive consists of two EU directives describing what equipment and work environment is allowed in an environment with an explosive atmosphere:

• ATEX Product Directive 94/9/EC
• ATEX Worker Protection Directive 1999/92/EC.

The directive includes all electrical and non-electrical devices as well as explosion protections in explosive atmopheres, aiming to protect individuals working in explosive areas.

• In the Federal Republic of Germany, the ATEX Directive was modified to national law, the so-called esplosion protection law (Explosionsschutzverordnung, 11. ProdSV).