This document establishes the legal framework and certification requirements for electrical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The regulations were enacted by the United Kingdom government to standardize safety protocols within industrial environments where flammable gases, vapors, or dusts pose a risk of ignition. It serves as a primary legal instrument for manufacturers, inspectors, and safety officers to ensure compliance with national safety standards.

This statutory instrument is treated as a foundational regulatory document for industrial safety professionals operating within the United Kingdom. Readers frequently note the technical and legal density of the prose, which requires careful interpretation for practical application in engineering contexts.