What IECEx CoPC verification confirms
The IECEx Certification of Personnel Competence Scheme, commonly called the Certified Persons Scheme, assesses an individual's ability to apply knowledge and practical skills within a defined scope. An IECEx approved Ex Certification Body, or ExCB, conducts practical and theoretical assessment for the applicable unit. After a successful assessment, the ExCB issues the Personnel Competence Assessment Report and creates the CoPC in the public IECEx online certificate system.
The important word is scope. A CoPC is modular. It records work functions for which the person was assessed; it is not a universal hazardous-area licence. Employers should verify the certificate that belongs to the actual person and compare every listed unit with the task, equipment, installation and governing requirements.
The 12 IECEx Units of Competence and their boundaries
The official IECEx overview lists 12 current units. The unit titles below identify separate work functions. They should not be collapsed into one generic competence claim.
| Unit | Official work-function scope | Procurement or assignment boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 000 | Basic knowledge and awareness to enter a site that includes a classified hazardous area | Entry awareness does not authorize design, installation, testing or inspection |
| Ex 001 | Apply basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres | Foundational principles do not by themselves prove another task unit |
| Ex 002 | Perform classification of hazardous areas | Area classification is separate from equipment certification and installation approval |
| Ex 003 | Install explosion-protected equipment and wiring systems | Installation competence does not automatically include design or detailed inspection |
| Ex 004 | Maintain equipment in explosive atmospheres | Maintenance must remain within the equipment instructions and task scope |
| Ex 005 | Overhaul and repair explosion-protected equipment | Repair and overhaul are not interchangeable with routine maintenance |
| Ex 006 | Test electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres | Testing must match the installation, instruments, procedures and applicable rules |
| Ex 007 | Perform visual and close inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres | This unit does not state detailed inspection scope |
| Ex 008 | Perform detailed inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres | Detailed inspection is a distinct assessed work function |
| Ex 009 | Design installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres | Design competence is not created by installation experience alone |
| Ex 010 | Perform audit inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres | Audit inspection is separate from routine inspection execution |
| Ex 011 | Basic knowledge of the safety of hydrogen systems | Basic hydrogen-safety knowledge is not blanket authorization for hydrogen-system design or operation |
IECEx notes that these units currently focus on electrical equipment for hazardous areas. The page also anticipates possible future units as ISO and IEC standards for non-electrical equipment become available. Employers should therefore read the current live unit description rather than infer non-electrical scope from a familiar job title.
The MMAIATEX guide to Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 gas classification explains the output associated with area-classification work without claiming that an educational article qualifies a person under Ex 002.
CoPC verification checklist for an employer
| Check | Evidence to compare | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Named holder and the identifying details shown in the official record | A certificate belongs to an individual, not a contractor company or work crew |
| Live status | Current record, issue details and validity information in the IECEx online system | A saved copy may not show later status or maintenance information |
| Units | Every listed unit against the work instruction and assignment | One unit does not grant the remaining units |
| Issuing body | ExCB name and its current approval for the Personnel Competence Scheme | Equipment, service-facility and personnel approvals are different scopes |
| Task conditions | Equipment, protection concepts, work phase, tools and procedures | A unit title cannot describe every site condition |
| Supporting competence | Relevant experience, recent practice, employer assessment and supervision | IECEx states that competence includes knowledge, skill, experience and training |
| Local authority | National licensing, workplace law, site induction, permits and employer authorization | A CoPC does not automatically provide access or authority everywhere |
The official overview states that a holder is reassessed every five years to maintain the CoPC, and the IECEx FAQ describes certification as typically valid for five years. The employer should still rely on the live record rather than calculate status from a date printed on an uncontrolled copy.
Why an RTP record is not a CoPC
An IECEx Recognised Training Provider, or RTP, delivers training aligned with the scheme structure and can prepare a person for competence assessment. IECEx is explicit that an RTP training record cannot be interpreted as certification, an attestation of competence or evidence that competence has been assessed under the CoPC Scheme.
Only an IECEx Certification Body approved for the Personnel Competence Scheme can issue a CoPC, and only after the required assessment is completed satisfactorily under IECEx OD 503. The IECEx FAQ also distinguishes training from competence: training is one input, while competence is demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills. An organization can operate as both an RTP and an ExCB only with impartiality controls separating training activity from the certification decision.
A live CoPC does not replace site or legal authorization
IECEx explains that a CoPC does not automatically qualify a holder to enter or work at every site, in every industry or in every country. Jobs and roles vary, so the scheme certifies work functions through units rather than issuing a universal certificate for a job title.
The employer or responsible duty holder must still match competence to the actual task, confirm national electrical licensing and workplace requirements, provide site induction, issue permits where required and control supervision. The IEC 60079-14:2024 buyer checklist provides installation-document context, while the IEC 60079-17 inspection-grades guide distinguishes visual, close and detailed inspection work. Neither resource replaces a person's assessed unit or the site's competence process.
Separate personnel, facility and equipment evidence
A personnel CoPC concerns a named individual. An IECEx Certified Service Facility certificate concerns an assessed organization, location and service scope. An IECEx equipment certificate concerns identified equipment and its controlled certification records. These evidence types answer different questions and should not be substituted for one another.
The MMAIATEX service-facility verification guide explains the organization and location boundary. For any equipment used in the work, verify the exact legal manufacturer, model and suffix, full marking, current certificate status and scope, schedules, instructions and installation conditions separately.
Current MMAIATEX certification status
The public MMAIATEX About page states that ATEX, IECEx and CCC certification work is in progress. MMAIATEX Explosion-proof Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. does not claim that its personnel hold IECEx CoPCs through this article. The brand name, this guide, a training record, a product image or a standard reference is not proof of personnel, facility or product certification.
Safety and legal disclaimer
This article provides general procurement and workforce-verification education. It does not certify a person, determine competence for a specific task, authorize site access, issue an electrical licence, classify a hazardous area, approve an installation or replace the official IECEx record, employer assessment, competent supervision, current standards, national law, site procedures or controlled project documentation. The responsible employer and legal duty holders must make and record the final assignment decision.
Contact MMAIATEX for an evidence-led equipment enquiry
Send the destination market, area classification, intended equipment function, installation conditions and required document list. MMAIATEX can identify available product information for review by the responsible engineering, EHS and compliance teams. Personnel competence and work authorization remain the employer's responsibility.