ATEX directive
The ATEX-directives consist of two EU-directives. The 94/9/EC directive is concerned with equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, and the 99/92/EC directive handles minimum requirements for improving the health and safety protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.
ATEX is an abbreviation of the French title of the 94/9/EC directive:
Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosibles.