Objective Objectives and strategic aspects:The main objective of standardisation in areas of explosion protection is the reduction of the risk of accidents. But a significant gap appears between the generation of standards and the transfer of the results to industry, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).In an effort to reduce this gap, a European Thematic Network, funded under the Standards, Measurement and Testing Programme has been developed. The network is called TREX, and its aim is to encourage exchange of information between industrial enterprises, such as manufacturers, processors, and service providers, and legislative bodies, research organisations and information outlets so that knowledge on all aspects of standards in the area of explosion hazards becomes as widely disseminated as possible, leading to rapid adoption.TREX has been designed to provide extensive opportunities i.e.:* keep abreast of new legislation and standards and how they will affect you,* discuss safety problems by a help-line,* find out about the new ideas from the results of standardisation and explaining the ideas by using a brochure,* learning from experts by direct contact in seminars.The TREX Internet site is at: http://www.safetynet.de/ -> EC-Projects -> TREXnetwork activities have included:* publishing all seminar papers in different languages on Internet,* offering an electronic brochure on a CD-ROM and on Internet* arranging national seminars* establishing a help-lineThe main work after the period of funding will be to actualise the documents publish on the web-site if possible free of charge. This will be possible by the co-operation with SAFETYNET. Background:It is said that in Europe alone, in one year, there are more than 2000 explosion during the storage and handling of combustible materials; 20 accidents per month involving runaway reactions; on average, one large fire a day with a loss of more than 80000 Euro. For example, statistical data show that on average it occurs one dust explosion per day in Germany causing a damage of more than EURO 25 000. The relevant industries where these explosions occur are shown in the following table.wood 32%plastics 13%,metal 13%,pharmaceutics and other products 6%.It is therefore important that industries handling explosive products are aware of the explosion problem and the possible preventive and protection measures.The aim of the European standardisation activities is to minimise these events.In 1989 the commission adopted the so-called Machinery Directive (89/392/EEC) which included as Annex 1 the Essential Health and Safety Requirements relating to the design and construction of machinery. In addition to the more traditional hazards associated with mechanical and moving parts of machines, the Directive specifically requires that all machinery must be designed and constructed to avoid any risk of fire or explosion posed by the machine itself or by substances produced or used by the machine.An additional Directive on equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (94/9/EC), the so-called ATEX 95 Directive was adopted in March 1994. This Directive applies to both electrical and mechanical equipment and protective systems, which are placed on the market for use in potentially explosive atmospheres on the surface, below ground and on fixed offshore installations.The goal of the European standardisation is to remove barriers from free trade. However, issuing new standards is not enough. The manufacturer has to know about these standards and to know about the philosophy of the standards. In the field of fire and explosion protection the new standards have major changes in comparison with the old national standards, because the new standards are relevant for products. To get rid of trade barriers within the Community, it is necessary to transfer the results and the philosophy of the regulations, which is the objective of the network. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternetagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesforestryhumanitiesphilosophy, ethics and religionphilosophy Programme(s) FP4-SMT - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of standards, measurements and testing, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 01 - Measurements for quality European products Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator PROSICHT GMBH EU contribution No data Address 5,Wilhelmstraße 2 59067 Hamm Germany See on map Total cost No data Participants (7) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CHRISTIAN MICHELSEN RESEARCH AS Norway EU contribution No data Address 38,Fantoftveien 38 5892 BERGEN See on map Total cost No data Conratec Srl Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Abate d'Adda 87 20043 Arcore Milano See on map Total cost No data Forschungsgesellschaft für AngewandteSystemsicherheit und Arbeitsmedizin eV Germany EU contribution No data Address Dynamostraße 7-9 68165 Mannheim See on map Total cost No data Inburex Ltd. United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address 6,Moorhead Court SO14 3GQ Southampton See on map Total cost No data Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques France EU contribution No data Address Parc Technologique ALATA 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte See on map Total cost No data Laboratorio Oficial Jose Maria de Madariaga Spain EU contribution No data Address 1,Alenza 28003 Madrid See on map Total cost No data StuVex N.V. Belgium EU contribution No data Address 8,Heideveldekens 2550 Kontich See on map Total cost No data