Element’s Skelmersdale Laboratory Leads the Industry in Readiness for New Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
London, UK – 1 July 2026: Element Materials Technology (“Element”), one of the world’s leading providers of testing, inspection and certification services, today announced that its Skelmersdale laboratory is leading the industry in readiness to support manufacturers worldwide as they respond to the latest Explosive Atmospheres (Ex) compliance requirements under IEC 60079-0 Edition 8.
As industrial technologies continue to evolve, manufacturers are increasingly required to demonstrate compliance across more complex and interconnected systems operating in hazardous locations. The new edition of the general requirements, which was published two weeks ago (click here to see in full), is applicable to all equipment for use in explosive atmospheres, making it the widest reaching change in nearly a decade. The updates introduce enhanced requirements around product markings, management of electrostatic charges, thermal protection of rotating machines and additional requirements for ingress protection. Critically the new edition now applies to all explosive atmosphere products.
This latest milestone for Element’s Skelmersdale laboratory builds on an announcement earlier this year that the facility had achieved NRTL status for Hazardous Locations, enabling direct U.S. hazardous-location certification from the UK and further strengthening the site’s ability to help customers simplify certification and accelerate access to key global markets.
“These changes mark a significant shift for manufacturers who will need a partner that can support them at every stage of the compliance journey,” said Mark Cole, Divisional Director, Connected Technologies & Mobility at Element. “Our Skelmersdale laboratory is among the first facilities equipped to do exactly that, combining specialist testing and certification expertise to help customers navigate complexity, accelerate market access and move forward with confidence.”
The development also reflects wider trends across the global Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) sector, where increasing regulatory complexity is driving demand for specialist engineering expertise, accredited laboratories, and integrated compliance solutions.
“As standards evolve, manufacturers need a laboratory partner that can simplify complexity and provide end-to-end support,” added Andy Smith, General Manager, Element Skelmersdale. “With the breadth of capability at Skelmersdale, Element is uniquely placed to help customers respond to the new regulatory landscape efficiently and with certainty.”
For more information about Element’s hazardous area and IECEx testing capabilities, visit Element Materials Technology and click here for a manufacturers guide to the changes.
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About Element Materials Technology
Element is one of the world’s leading providers of laboratory‑based testing services, supporting more than 50,000 customers operating in some of the world’s most technical and highly regulated industries, where failure in use of products, materials, and technologies is not an option. Headquartered in London, UK, Element’s 8,500+ scientists, engineers, and technologists work across a global network of more than 270 laboratories. The company supports customers from early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals, and into production, ensuring products are safe, sustainable, and achieve market access.
For more information about Element, please visit our website, connect with us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
About Element’s Connected Technologies & Mobility Business Unit
Element Connected Technologies & Mobility, a business unit of Element Materials Technology, provides testing, inspection, and certification services for connected devices and mobility solutions. With over 40 specialized laboratories around the world, and designation as an officially recognized Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility (BQTF) in the US, we help manufacturers launch products that meet global standards for connectivity, safety, and performance. Our 1,000+ experts support a wide range of technologies, including consumer electronics, IoT, autonomous vehicles, and medical devices. By combining deep domain knowledge with Element’s global capabilities, we accelerate time-to-market and ensure compliance across increasingly complex regulatory landscapes. For more information, visit: element.com/connected-technologies.
Media Contact:
Kate Aldridge, VP Communications
E: kate.aldridge@element.com
M: +44 7767 705364