Industrial IoT Router Certifications: CE, FCC, ATEX and IECEx Explained
Certification marks on industrial routers and IoT hardware tell you where the device can be legally sold and where it can be safely deployed. This guide explains what each mark means and what you actually need for common UK deployments.
Why Certifications Matter for Buyers
Certification marks are not just compliance paperwork. They determine whether a product can be legally sold in a market, whether it will interfere with other radio equipment, and in hazardous environments, whether it is safe to operate at all. Getting this wrong creates legal liability, insurance complications, and in some cases genuine safety risk.
For most UK industrial IoT deployments, CE and FCC marks are the baseline. UKCA became relevant after Brexit for equipment placed on the UK market, though CE marking remains valid in Great Britain under transitional arrangements. ATEX and IECEx are only relevant for equipment installed in areas with potentially explosive atmospheres – not the majority of deployments, but critical where they apply.
CE Marking
The CE mark indicates that a product meets EU regulatory requirements covering safety, health, and environmental protection. For IoT routers and wireless devices, the primary directive is the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU, which sets requirements for radio emissions, immunity, electrical safety, and protection of the radio spectrum.
CE marking is mandatory for electronic products sold in the EU. A manufacturer self-declares conformity by testing against harmonised standards and producing a Declaration of Conformity. For UK deployments, CE marking confirms the device has been designed and tested to a consistent set of standards.
After Brexit, UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) replaced CE marking for products placed on the Great Britain market. However, the UK government extended the period during which CE marking is accepted in GB. Products carrying CE marks can generally still be sold in Great Britain under transitional provisions. Confirm current requirements with the relevant UK authority before placing new product on the market. Northern Ireland continues to accept CE marking under the Windsor Framework.
FCC Certification
FCC certification is the US equivalent of CE for radio frequency devices. For equipment sold only in the UK and EU, FCC certification is not a legal requirement. However, it is a useful quality indicator – manufacturers producing hardware that passes both CE and FCC testing are typically working to higher standards. Milesight holds FCC certification across its UR and UG product ranges.
RoHS and REACH
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) limits the use of specific hazardous materials in electronic equipment. It is a legal requirement for electronics sold in the EU and UK. REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is a broader EU chemical safety regulation. Both are primarily procurement and supply chain considerations rather than installation ones. Their presence confirms the manufacturer operates a properly documented compliance programme.
ATEX Certification
ATEX covers equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. If you are installing equipment where explosive gases, vapours, mists, or combustible dusts may be present, ATEX certification is legally required. Typical ATEX-relevant environments include oil and gas processing facilities, chemical plants, grain storage, paint spray booths, distilleries, and certain wastewater treatment areas.
| Zone | Atmosphere type | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Gas/vapour/mist | Continuously or for long periods |
| Zone 1 | Gas/vapour/mist | Likely in normal operation |
| Zone 2 | Gas/vapour/mist | Unlikely in normal operation; brief if it occurs |
| Zone 20 | Combustible dust | Continuously or for long periods |
| Zone 21 | Combustible dust | Likely in normal operation |
| Zone 22 | Combustible dust | Unlikely in normal operation; brief if it occurs |
Standard Milesight UR and UG products are not ATEX certified and must not be installed in classified hazardous areas. If your application requires IoT connectivity in an ATEX zone, options include: installing the router in a safe area and routing cables to sensors through appropriate barriers; or sourcing ATEX-certified routers from specialist manufacturers. Contact IoT UK to discuss hazardous area applications.
IECEx Certification
IECEx is the international equivalent of ATEX, operating under the International Electrotechnical Commission. For UK deployments, ATEX is the primary requirement. IECEx becomes relevant for products sold internationally or for UK organisations with operations in IECEx-adopting countries including Australia, Canada, and South Africa.
LoRa Alliance Certification
LoRa Alliance certification is specific to LoRaWAN end devices and gateways. It confirms the device has been tested to the LoRaWAN specification and will interoperate with other certified LoRaWAN devices from different manufacturers. Milesight UG series gateways carry LoRa Alliance certification, providing confidence that the gateway will work correctly with LoRaWAN sensors from third-party manufacturers.
Quick Reference
| Mark | Required for UK sale? | Required for UK install? | When it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| CE/UKCA | Yes (see notes) | No | Legal sale requirement; quality indicator |
| FCC | No | No | US market; quality indicator |
| RoHS | Yes | No | Legal requirement; procurement |
| REACH | Mfr. obligation | No | Supply chain; environmental procurement |
| ATEX | No | Hazardous areas only | Legally required in Zone 0/1/2/20/21/22 |
| IECEx | No | No | Required in IECEx-adopting countries |
| LoRa Alliance | No | No | LoRaWAN interoperability assurance |
Questions about certification requirements? Contact the IoT UK team for pre-sales advice.