Global Standards and Certifications for Pump Excellence

In pump manufacturing, standards and accreditations ensure safety, performance, compatibility, and quality assurance, providing both manufacturers and end users with confidence in the reliability and efficiency of their equipment. By adhering to recognized standards, pump makers can design and produce systems that meet rigorous operational requirements while remaining compliant with regional and international regulations.

This eBook will explore international and industry standards – namely ANSI, API, ASME, and ISO – as well as safety and compliance certifications, including CE, ATEX, IECEx, and QPS.

 

International and Industry Standards

International and industry standards such as ANSI, API, ASME, and ISO play a critical role in pump certifications, ensuring safety, reliability, and performance consistency across global markets. These standards establish precise design, manufacturing, and testing requirements, giving end users confidence that pumps will operate effectively under demanding conditions. Compliance also streamlines global trade, as certified pumps meet recognized benchmarks accepted across industries and regions.

ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a non-profit organization that oversees the development and implementation of standards used throughout industries in the United States.

ANSI does not develop these standards themselves. Instead, they work with organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to facilitate the development of guidelines and technical standards that ensure safety, quality, and efficiency across a wide range of sectors, including technology, manufacturing, and healthcare.

These standards address every aspect of manufacturing, including processes, distribution, testing, training, and employee safety. To ensure that these standards are consistent when it comes to definitions, terms, and the way products are tested, ANSI also accredits organizations that develop standards, ensuring that these standards are created through a fair and open process. Test labs that are approved to evaluate products to ANSI standards are accredited by OSHA and called a Nationally Recognized Test Lab (NRTL).

To date, there are 9,500 ANSI standards representing the best practices from accredited organizations all over the U.S. Additionally, ANSI represents more than 270,000 companies and organizations and a total of 30 million professionals worldwide.

ANSI’s role in international business cannot be understated. Currently, standards and technical regulations affect more than 90% of global trade. To safeguard American interests in global standards development, ANSI represents the U.S. in international standardization bodies with the aim to enhance the quality, safety, and competitiveness of the U.S. businesses. By intentionally matching ANSI standards with international standards, the Institute assures that American products can be used around the globe.

API (American Petroleum Institute)

Widely used in oil, gas, petrochemical, and chemical industries, the American Petroleum Institute (API) develops widely adopted standards as well as accreditations for these industries.

API standards specify the design, materials, testing, and performance requirements for manufacturers within the oil and gas space to ensure reliability, safety, and interchangeability in these demanding environments.

In addition to publishing standards, the API accredits manufacturers through its Monogram Program. This licensing system provides accreditation to manufacturers that have demonstrated compliance with the applicable API standards.

In order to secure this accreditation, manufacturers must first implement a quality management system (QMS) that meets API Q1 requirements, which are their equivalent to ISO 9001, but more rigorous for oil and gas. Next, manufacturers must pass an independent audit by API inspectors. Once they are granted API Monogram Program accreditation, manufacturers need to maintain ongoing compliance through periodic audits and documentation.

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a professional organization that develops codes and standards, provides certifications, and promotes engineering knowledge, training, and collaboration.

On the standards side, ASME creates widely recognized engineering standards, especially for pressure vessels, boilers, mechanical systems, and piping. The ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is one example of these standards and is used globally to ensure safety and reliability, most notably for pump casings.

The ASME “U” stamp certification denotes that a manufacturer and/or product is in full compliance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section VIII, Division 1. Specifically, it signifies that the company or product in question has met key quality requirements, including design, material, and fabrication requirements. Additional prerequisites include inspection and testing, documentation, and quality control.

While it originated in the United States, ASME standards are used internationally in industries like energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, and power generation.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international body made up of national standards organizations from over 160 countries. As the “global rulebook” for best practices within specific industries, the ISO develops and publishes international standards that ensure quality, safety, and efficiency across a number of industries in a myriad of sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, technology, energy, supply chain, and more.

To date, the ISO has published more than 25,000 standards, covering applications such as:

• Food safety
• Occupational health and safety
• Energy management
• Environmental management
• Quality management

 

Manufacturers that have demonstrated compliance with specific ISO standards worldwide can get ISO-certified through accredited certification bodies.

Safety and Compliance Certifications

Safety and compliance certifications – including CE, ATEX, IECEx, and QPS – ensure pumps meet strict regulatory and operational requirements in different regions and industries. These certifications verify that equipment is designed and tested to protect users, facilities, and the environment from potential risks. They also provide global credibility, helping manufacturers access broader markets with trusted, proven solutions.

CE Marking (Conformité Européenne)

Translated from the French for “European conformity”, Conformité Européenne (CE) is a certification mark that indicates a product complies with the European Union (EU) safety, health, and environmental protection requirements. It’s required for many products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA).

To receive the CE marking, a manufacturer outside the EU must do three things:

1. Ensure the product complies with all applicable EU directives/regulations.
2. Prepare a Declaration of Conformity.
3. Affix the CE mark on the product.

 

Depending on the product, compliance can be shown by self-certification for low-risk products. For higher-risk products, a Notified Body third-party assessment is needed. Every Notified Body is approved by a specific EU member state and is given a designated four-digit number. While the NB pertains to one particular state, their assessment services are valid across the entire EU/EEA market. You can find the complete list of Notified Bodies on the NANDO (New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations) database.

The CE Declaration of Conformity is the manufacturer’s signed guarantee that their product is safe, compliant, and legally fit to be sold within the EEA. This formal, written statement provided by the manufacturer typically includes:

• Product identification (model/type, serial numbers)
• Manufacturer’s name and address
• List of relevant EU directives/regulations applied
• Sentence expressly detailing that the product fulfills all the relevant provisions of the directive
• If relevant, reference to harmonized EN standards (European Norms; technical standards that gives manufacturers a “presumption of conformity”)
• Place and date of issue
• Identity and signature of the person authorized to draw up the declaration on behalf of the manufacturer, or his authorized representative

 

Once a manufacturer has completed these two steps, they are granted the CE mark. This mark not only signifies that the product has been approved for sale in the EU, but serves as a sign of product safety and compliance to countries outside Europe.

ATEX (Atmosphères Explosibles)

From the French for ATmosphères EXplosibles, ATEX certification is required in the EU and EEA for all products, equipment, and protective systems used in explosive atmospheres where there’s a risk of explosion from flammable gases, vapors, mists, or combustible dusts. It ensures that the product is designed and tested to prevent ignition sources that could trigger explosions.

The ATEX 2014/34/EU certification applies to manufacturers specifically and requires a CE marking as well as an ATEX marking. Products requiring this certification include:

• Electrical equipment (motors, sensors, lighting, switches).
• Non-electrical equipment that can create sparks or heat (gearboxes, brakes, pumps).
• Protective systems (explosion suppression systems, flame arrestors).

 

To receive an ATEX certification, manufacturers must go through a four-step process. First, they must determine the equipment group and category. This depends on the type of explosive atmosphere and risk level. There are two groups: mining (group I), and non-mining (group II). There are also three categories, with category one providing the highest protection.

Second is the conformity assessment. Like the CE mark, low-risk equipment can be self-declared, while higher-risk equipment needs NB involvement. Third is technical documentation, which includes risk analysis, design files, and test results.

Fourth is the mark itself. If approved, this includes the CE mark, ATEX symbol, group and category, and NB number (if applicable).

IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission Explosive Atmospheres)

Often thought of as the global equivalent of ATEX, IECEx is a voluntary international certification system that verifies equipment, services, and personnel working in explosive atmospheres meet strict safety standards in industries such oil and gas, mining, chemical processing, and grain handling, where there’s risk of explosion from gases, vapors, or dusts.

IECEx certification is accepted in many countries outside the EU. Some of the largest include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, parts of Asia, and the Middle East. Having the IECEx certification helps avoid duplicate testing and approvals when exporting to participating countries.

There are three key aspects to being granted an IECEx certificate. These include:

1. Standards. IECEx certifications are based on the IEC 60079 series of standards that apply to electrical and non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres.
2. Scope of certification. Equipment certification verifies equipment is explosion-protected; service facility certification covers repair/service workshops, and personnel Competence Certification ensures workers are trained/qualified.
3. Marking. Similar to ATEX, equipment that has been IECEx certified is marked with the IECEx symbol as well as protection.

 

ATEX VS. IECEx

 

Feature	ATEX	IECEx
Where accepted	EU/EEA	International
Basis	EU Directives (Manufacturing: 2014/34/EU)	IEC 60079 standards
Certification	Legal requirement for EU market	Voluntary; widely accepted to facilitate global trade
Marking	CE + ATEX mark	IECEx mark

 

QPS Evaluation Services

QPS Certification is a product testing, inspection, and certification service provided by QPS Evaluation Services Inc., an accredited, independent third-party testing and certification body. QPS certification indicates that electrical, electronic, and related products meet North American and international safety standards.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, QPS is an IECEx certification body and test lab and is accredited by organizations such as SCC (Standards Council of Canada) and OSHA/NRTL. Products bearing the QPS certification mark (sometimes with “C” and/or “US” indicators to show approval for Canada, the U.S., or both) have been tested and approved by QPS for product safety and compliance.

QPS certification covers a number of products, including:

• Electrical and electronic equipment
• Hazardous location/explosion-proof equipment
• Industrial machinery
• Medical devices
• Energy systems (batteries, renewable tech, EV charging stations, etc.)

 

Recognized globally for product approvals, QPS offers Field Evaluation Labels (for one-off or custom equipment) as well as Listing and Certification Marks in North America. Internationally, QPS offers IECEx certification for explosive atmospheres, as well as IECEE CB scheme for global acceptance of electrical products.

In today’s competitive and safety-focused manufacturing landscape, adherence to standards and accreditations is more than a regulatory requirement—it is a mark of quality, reliability, and trust. From process-focused standards like ANSI, API, ASME, and ISO to safety and global compliance certifications such as CE, ATEX, IECEx, and QPS, these benchmarks ensure pumps perform efficiently, safely, and consistently across industries and regions.

For manufacturers, compliance streamlines production and opens doors to international markets, while for end users, it provides confidence that the equipment meets rigorous performance and safety expectations. Ultimately, understanding and implementing these standards is essential for building pumps that stand up to the demands of modern industrial applications and deliver long-term value.