UK ATEX EN IEC 60079-28:2026 Now a GB Designated Standard
UK ATEX EN IEC 60079-28: 2026 Edition Designated in GB for Optical Radiation Equipment
UK ATEX EN IEC 60079-28 has moved to its 2026 edition. On 22 October 2026 the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) published Notice of Publication 0144/26 under the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107). The notice designates EN IEC 60079-28:2026, "Explosive atmospheres. Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation", for England, Wales and Scotland.
Background: designated standards under GB ATEX
In Great Britain, equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres must meet the essential health and safety requirements of S.I. 2016/1107 before it's placed on the market. Using a designated standard gives a presumption of conformity with the requirements it covers. DBT keeps the list current through notices of publication: Annex I lists the designated standards, and Annex II lists standards that will be removed and the date their presumption of conformity ends.
Notice 0144/26 amends the lists in the previous notice, 0138/26, with effect from 22 October 2026.
Key Changes in the UK ATEX EN IEC 60079-28 Listing
Row 81 of Annex I now reads EN IEC 60079-28:2026, replacing the earlier entry.
EN 60079-28:2015, "Explosive atmospheres - Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation", joins the Annex II removal list. The notice says it "will continue to confer a presumption of conformity" until 4 March 2028.
The first entry on the previous Annex II list is deleted and the remaining entries renumbered. Other standards on that list leave between March and October 2027.
The other 91 designated standards are unchanged.
The notice doesn't explain what changed technically between the two editions. Manufacturers should compare them before relying on either.
What This Means for Manufacturers
Optical equipment for hazardous areas, such as laser, LED and fibre optic products, can now be assessed against the 2026 edition for the GB market.
Assessments based on the 2015 edition keep their presumption of conformity until 4 March 2028, but not after.
Technical files, and any UK approved body certificates, will need to rely on the 2026 edition for products placed on the GB market from that date.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Before | After | Impact level |
Designated edition | EN 60079-28:2015 | EN IEC 60079-28:2026 (from 22 October 2026) | Medium |
2015 edition | Designated | Presumption of conformity until 4 March 2028 | Medium |
Technical files | Reference 2015 edition | Update to 2026 edition before March 2028 | Medium |
Other ATEX standards | 92 designated | Unchanged apart from row 81 | Low |
Timeline and Required Actions
Key Dates
Date | Milestone |
22 October 2026 | Notice 0144/26 designates EN IEC 60079-28:2026 in GB |
4 March 2028 | EN 60079-28:2015 removed; presumption of conformity ends |
Required Actions for Manufacturers
Identify GB products whose conformity relies on EN 60079-28:2015.
Get the 2026 edition and run a gap assessment against your designs.
Agree with your UK approved body when to update certificates.
Update technical files and declarations of conformity before 4 March 2028.
Conclusion
The UK ATEX EN IEC 60079-28 update is a routine but firm change: the 2026 edition is now the designated standard in GB, and the 2015 edition stops counting on 4 March 2028. Starting the gap assessment early keeps GB certificates on track. Contact our team for support with UKCA and ATEX compliance.
