Intrinsic safety-the way forward

This paper discusses the position of intrinsic safety and low power systems in the context of CENELEC. It avoids discussing the impact of possible EC directives which at the time of writing this paper (November 1993) have not been finalised. In the authors opinion unless these directives are considerably modified then it is impossible to be optimistic about the consequences. The worst case scenario is of the standards being ignored and equipment based on dubious interpretation of the “essential requirements” of the directive certified by a self appointed national certifying authority becoming the norm. The more probable scenario is that industry will carry on as before, virtually ignoring or paying lip service to the directive, confident in the knowledge that the directive is not enforceable and there is no one to enforce it anyway. The United Kingdom will inevitably suffer, because some attempt will be made to enforce the directives. This prognosis is supported by the present situation on surveillance of the manufacture of certified equipment, which is a clear requirement of the existing directive but is only enforced by the UK certifying authorities