IECEx Certified Service Facility Scheme the route to compliance

Prior to the introduction of the IECEx Certified Service Facility Scheme, service facilities (i.e. repairers of Ex Equipment) had to satisfy either regulatory accreditation, user accreditation or even specific manufacturer accreditation with widely variable requirements. In many instances service facilities had have multiple accreditations from regulators and users. In some countries these requirements were mandatory and in others voluntary. This paper gives examples of the improvements a well established service facility had to introduce, to satisfy an IECEx ExCB that the personnel, processes and procedures meet the requirements of the IECEx Certified Service Facility Scheme. The examples given relate to Service Facilities operating in the UK.