Hazardous locations (HazLoc) are environments where the risk of explosion is significantly elevated, found in places like chemical plants, refineries, factories, and more. These areas are prone to potential hazards such as flammable gases, vapors, liquids, combustible dusts, or ignitable fibers, substantially increasing the likelihood of fire or explosion. Due to these risks, it is crucial for manufacturers to prioritize and showcase product compliance with applicable standards and help confirm the safety and reliability of their equipment.

At CSA Group, we have decades of experience conducting Field Certifications — tailored to helping manufacturers demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements while addressing the unique challenges posed in hazardous locations (HazLoc) environments. Our extensive approach helps determine whether your HazLoc equipment complies with the requirements established by applicable standards, safeguarding the operational safety and reliability of your equipment in hazardous environments.

Overview of Field Certification

Manufacturers navigating the HazLoc equipment certification process may find it challenging, with the regular certification often becoming impractical or impossible for very large equipment or small numbers of products Our one-time field certification program addresses this issue by streamlining the process through Field Certifications, facilitating market entry into the U.S. and Canada.

The field certification process typically entails several key steps, which include:

1. Documentation Review: Product documentation is reviewed by the field certifier with the manufacturer and checked for compliance with applicable standards.
2. Identify Potential Issues: The field certifier will document and discuss any anticipated non-conformance issues or concerns with the client.
3. Schedule a Product & Site Inspection: A product and site inspection can be scheduled and conducted at the manufacturer’s facility, final installation site, or at the certification body’s laboratory where the product will be visually and physically evaluated and tested in accordance with applicable requirements.

   If the manufacturer submits the product to the certification body for evaluation, then a site inspection will not be required at the manufacturer’s facility or final installation site.

   Note: The required tests being performed may vary depending on the type of product and installation location.

4. Apply Certification Labels: Once the HazLoc equipment is deemed compliant with applicable requirements and there are no outstanding non-conformance issues, the relevant certification label(s) is applied to the product at the location of the field evaluation.
5. Certificate of Compliance: A Certificate of Compliance (COC) and the report of the evaluation is provided to the manufacturer at the end of the project.

A Network of Global Field Certifiers

Our experienced Field Certifiers are based worldwide, including North America, Europe, and Asia. However, our Field Certifications are not limited to specific geographical locations, as they can be conducted in countries without international trade sanctions and where our Field Certifiers can reasonably travel.

In addition, our Field Certification can take place at one our laboratories, your facility, or at the final installation site — offering flexibility.

Technical Information Service

CSA Group’s Technical Information Service (TIS) program is an additional means of supporting manufacturers throughout the field certification process, guiding them through Field Certification options and their respective procedures. Manufacturers can also proactively utilize our TIS service in the early stages of their HazLoc equipment lifecycle. This serves as a preliminary review during product development, helping identify potential non-conformances and providing guidance on applicable standards.

Applicable Products for Field Certifications

Our Field Certification service is particularly valuable for certifying large products like HazLoc assemblies (skids), panels, motors, turbines, or other specialized equipment. It is especially beneficial for low-volume products where model certification is impractical or cost-prohibitive. Overall, this service is ideal for HazLoc manufacturers looking to gain market access into the U.S. and Canada.

Relevant Standards

Our Field Certification service adheres to the requirements of key Canadian standards and their U.S. equivalents for HazLoc equipment. These standards include:

• C22.2 No. 14 and UL 508
• C22.2 No. 25
• C22.2 No. 30
• UL 1203
• C22.2 No. 145 AND UL 674
• C22.2 No. 213 and ANSI 12.12.01
• C22.2 No. 286 and UL 698A
• C22.2 No. 60079-46
• NFPA 496

Requesting a Quote: Easy and Transparent

Requesting a quote from CSA Group is simple. Complete our Request for Quote (RFQ) application form, providing necessary product details as required, and our team will promptly assist you. To complete our RFQ form, please click on the button below.

RFQ Application Form