[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67216-67217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29747]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Evaluation of International Electrotechnical Commission's (IEC) 
Standards for Intrinsic Safety and Explosion-Proof Enclosures

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice of intent to review international (IEC) standards for

[[Page 67217]]

equivalency to MSHA's product approval requirements.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration's intent to review the International Electrotechnical 
Commission's (IEC) standards for Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas 
Atmospheres, Part 0, General Requirements; Part 1, Construction and 
Verification Test of Flameproof enclosures of Electrical Apparatus; and 
Part 11, Intrinsic Safety.
    MSHA will review these standards to determine if they are 
equivalent to the applicable MSHA product approval requirements or can 
be modified to provide at least the same degree of protection as those 
requirements.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by January 30, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be clearly identified as such and transmitted 
either electronically to [email protected], by facsimile to 
(304) 547-2044, or by regular mail or hand delivery to MSHA, Approval 
and Certification Center, Box 251, Industrial Park Road, Triadelphia, 
West Virginia 26059. You may contact MSHA with any format questions. 
Comments are posted for public viewing at http://www.msha.gov/currentcomments.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David C. Chirdon, Chief, Electrical 
Safety Division, Approval and Certification Center, MSHA; phone: (304) 
547-2026; facsimile: (304) 547-2044; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 17, 2003, MSHA published a final rule, 30 CFR part 6--
Testing and Evaluation by Independent Laboratories and Non-MSHA Product 
Safety Standards. The rule established alternate requirements for 
testing and evaluation of products that MSHA approves for use in gassy 
underground mines. This final rule permits manufacturers to have their 
products approved based on non-MSHA product safety standards. This will 
occur only after MSHA has determined that such standards are equivalent 
to its applicable product approval requirements or can be modified to 
provide at least the same degree of protection as those MSHA 
requirements.
    Section 6.20(b) of this regulation stated that ``MSHA will publish 
its intent to review any non-MSHA product safety standard for 
equivalency in the Federal Register for the purpose of soliciting 
public input.'' Section 6.20(c) further explained that ``A listing of 
all equivalency determinations will be published in this part 6 and the 
applicable approval parts. The listing will state whether MSHA accepts 
the non-MSHA product safety standards in their original form, or 
whether MSHA will require modifications to demonstrate equivalency. If 
modifications are required, they will be provided in the listing. MSHA 
will notify the public of each equivalency determination and will 
publish a summary of the basis for its determination.''
    MSHA solicits public input on its review of the International 
Electrotechnical Commission's (IEC) standards for Electrical Apparatus 
for Explosive Gas Atmospheres, Part 0, General Requirements (IEC 60079-
0); Part 1, Construction and Verification Test of Flameproof enclosures 
of Electrical Apparatus (IEC 60079-1); and Part 11, Intrinsic Safety 
(IEC 60079-11). The IEC is a worldwide organization for standardization 
comprising all national electrotechnical committees. The object of the 
IEC is to promote international cooperation on all questions concerning 
standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end 
and in addition to other activities, the IEC publishes international 
standards. The standards referenced in this notice are subparts of the 
IEC standards for hazardous location equipment.
    MSHA welcomes comments on this review and any comments relative to 
other product safety standards that could be considered for future 
consideration.
    After the comment period closes, an evaluation will be performed. 
At the conclusion of that evaluation, the determination will be 
published in the Federal Register. This determination will be 
accompanied by a list of modifications, if they are deemed necessary.

    Dated: November 20, 2003.
Dave D. Lauriski,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 03-29747 Filed 11-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P